Parents aren’t kidding when they say that sometimes the best toys are free, or nearly free. One day, while frantically trying to keep whatever was on the stove from burning without burning my toddler or me, I set the babe down, opened the nearest drawer, and tossed her a pack of straws. Quick mama mental calculation suggested that this was an okay toy (i.e., not jabby or containing small chokeable parts, bag not big enough to fit over considerable toddler head).

Well this bag o’ straws, retailing all of 97 cents, has provided hours (seriously!) of entertainment, and they’re not even the bendy kind. First there’s pulling all the straws out of the bag one by one. Then there’s putting them all back in the bag one by one. Then there’s picking out all the yellow ones (one by one) and handing them to mama. Then there’s asking mama to connect all of them (one by one) into a “long wand!” or “big circle!” And today, my fabulous sister discovered that you can use these straws to blow bubbles – far easier for toddlers to handle compared to the wands that actually come with bubble mix.

People who know me know that I am keen on making stuff from scratch, whether it is pickles or tartlets or birthday invitations. But for some reason the idea of making homemade Play-doh just doesn’t appeal. Maybe it’s something about that distinct Play-doh smell, or the fact that my babe looked so joyful when she pointed out the colors of the cap containers at the CVS.

This long time favorite toy not only is great to help the babe learn colors, be imaginative, and work on motor skills, but Play-doh time is a great anytime activity to give you some non-chasing play time. If you are looking for malleable inspiration, check out Hasbro’s website; otherwise, even if you aren’t particularly crafty your babe likely will delight in forming a fleet of what my toddler calls “chubby worms!”

People who know me know that I am keen on making stuff from scratch, whether it is pickles or tartlets or birthday invitations. But for some reason the idea of making homemade Play-doh just doesn’t appeal. Maybe it’s something about that distinct Play-doh smell, or the fact that my babe looked so joyful when she pointed out the colors of the cap containers at the CVS.

This long time favorite toy not only is great to help the babe learn colors, be imaginative, and work on motor skills, but Play-doh time is a great anytime activity to give you some non-chasing play time. If you are looking for malleable inspiration, check out Hasbro’s website; otherwise, even if you aren’t particularly crafty your babe likely will delight in forming a fleet of what my toddler calls “chubby worms!”

I know paint + toddlers seems like a recipe for disaster but the endless days of downpours this spring called for new activities.

Crayola’s Washable No Drip Gel Paints (purchased at Michael’s) work like a dream. The package comes with 18 paint tabs and a 100% natural brush. The strips perforate into three strips of 6 colors; for easier handling, I cut the strips in half and gave the babe 3 tabs at a time. The little paint tabs were perfect for toddler dabbling and the paint was, in fact, drip free (i.e., paint clung to the brush and made it from paint tab to paper without dripping) and completely washable. The paint was so easy to clean up that on the next go ‘round we made lots of handprints, which was great fun and made for many keepsakes. Working with the paints also offered lots of fun with color naming and explorations into the effects of color mixing.

Use cover weight paper (aka cardstock) or painting paper (i.e., material that won’t pucker like regular sheets of computer paper) and your little artist’s work easily will translate into a framed gift or card for a loved one.

I know paint + toddlers seems like a recipe for disaster but the endless days of downpours this spring called for new activities.

Crayola’s Washable No Drip Gel Paints (purchased at Michael’s) work like a dream. The package comes with 18 paint tabs and a 100% natural brush. The strips perforate into three strips of 6 colors; for easier handling, I cut the strips in half and gave the babe 3 tabs at a time. The little paint tabs were perfect for toddler dabbling and the paint was, in fact, drip free (i.e., paint clung to the brush and made it from paint tab to paper without dripping) and completely washable. The paint was so easy to clean up that on the next go ‘round we made lots of handprints, which was great fun and made for many keepsakes. Working with the paints also offered lots of fun with color naming and explorations into the effects of color mixing.

Use cover weight paper (aka cardstock) or painting paper (i.e., material that won’t pucker like regular sheets of computer paper) and your little artist’s work easily will translate into a framed gift or card for a loved one.