PVC Tunnel Building Project for ToddlersThis is a fun and inexpensive outdoor activity for toddlers who enjoy building/assembling. You can purchase PVC pipes, cut them at your local hardware store for free in assorted sizes and purchase some fittings (like elbows, tees, socket caps, and crosses).
Cheap Bathtub ToysI have found that bathtub toys for my young children are expensive and don't last very long. So, what I've been doing is saving the plastic coffee containers (new ones from Folgers) in the small and large sizes. My girls love to pour with them, add a little soap to 'make an experiment', put the lid on and shake!
Jar Lids as ToysA great "toy" for a toddler: Save all your plastic jar lids (from mayonnaise, peanut butter, etc.) Save different colors and sizes, the more the better. I did this for my kids and grandkids.
Alternative to Water GunsBeing adamantly opposed to using any kind of "weapons" as toys, and this includes water guns, I give my kids plastic squirt bottles, either clean spray bottles of water or even cleaned out plastic ketchup or syrup bottles to squirt each other with.
Sand Toys For Kids From Recycled ItemsGood examples for great sand toys are applesauce cups, laundry detergent scoops, powdered formula scoops, empty play dough containers and more.
Indoor "Sandbox" With RiceA great "sandbox" for kids to use indoors is to fill a large plastic container with a bag of plain rice. Give them some measuring cups and funnels and they will play for hours!
Tear-free Homemade Bubble SolutionDissolve 2 tablespoons sugar into 2 cups warm water. Slowly add 1 cup tear-free baby shampoo. Stir well but gently. This is GREAT for kids birthday parties and for the younger kids that can't play with the big brother's and sister's bubble solution!
Cheap Bubbles for the KidsWant a cheap way to make bubbles for the kids? Just add a little shampoo to some water and let them go.
By imaqt1962
Earth Friendly Play DoughMix in saucepan over low heat (it does not have to heat long). Dough is ready when it rolls into a ball. Keep fresh in an airtight container or baggie.
Balloon Baseball GameHere's an easy game for even small kids: You'll need 2 balloons, one round(ish) one and one long one. Use the long one for the bat and the round one for the ball. My 2-year-old loves it, and I can get a bag of balloons for less than $1!
By Camilla
Homemade Bubble SolutionServings: 1 Combine ingredients and pour into an unbreakable bottle.
To blow bubbles, experiment using plastic straws, pipe cleaners formed into loops, strawberry baskets from grocery store, spoons with holes in them and other items you think of.
Making Huge BubblesWhen your kids want to blow bubbles, use a coffee can that you've cut both ends from. Put your bubble solution in a bucket and dip the can. You can either sway the can through the air or blow into it, either way makes huge bubbles that kids love.
Grocery Store Play SetMake a play grocery store for your preschoolers. It is free and great for ages 3-8.
Cheap Homemade Toy Blocks for ChristmasI make blocks for my three grandsons by going to the cutoff bin in my local Home Depot store. They have lots of short pieces of wood that can be cut into blocks. I sand them while watching TV. I round the edges, apply stain and then polyurethane them.
Thrifty Toy Blocks, Soap BoxesMake toy blocks out of soap boxes. They are fun for kids to stack up and you can collect a lot of different ones and fill them with paper and tape them shut. For the really creative, you can cover them with paper and tape and put the alphabet or the child's name on the blocks.
