Actually, I don’t remember what prompted this activity; probably just the curiosity of a three year old. Jake wrapped this rubber band around the knobs of our side table (can any parent of a preschooler read that last phrase and not think of Side Table Drawer from Blue’s Clues? ), and had a blast making music. Quiet music. Quiet music is good in the midst of a hectic day.

Doesn’t he look like he’s having fun? What are the everyday objects in your home that turn into musical instruments?

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Thanks again, friend, for introducing us to these toys!

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Still, for all the toys that have made it into our house, some of the everyday trash objects that collect in our home seem to entertain the kids as much, and sometimes more, as the high ticket items. So, here is my top ten list of non-toy toys that my kids love to play with.

• 10. Plastic coffee can. I think this particular container has been in our home for about a year. I know that because that is about the time we switched to a cheaper brand. We even still have the lid. There are toys that haven’t lasted this long in our house! Sturdy.
• 9. Paper towel rolls. My oldest two actually argue over it when a roll is finished. Crazy. But, hey, there is no better pretend spyglass.
• 8. Adult t-shirts. They can be instantly transformed into dresses, capes, veils, and all sorts of fun for little bodies.
• 7. Blanket and pillows. By themselves, a great start to a pretend (or real) picnic on the living room floor. Add a few chairs, and you’ve got yourself a comfy fort for snuggling and sharing a book.
• 6. Plastic party cups. They love to stack them, collect them, and fill them with toys, water, etc.
• 5. Metal pots and wooden spoons. A particularly favorite combination of my two boys, without whom I might have a little more of my hearing left. I guess it’s better than metal pots and metal spoons, and it certainly does keep them entertained for long stretches.
• 4. Ziploc/GladWare containers. You know what I’m talking about, right? The new, cheap Tupperware substitutes that are popping up everywhere? Well, the advantage of them being cheap is that you can alter them without feeling as if you’ve thrown a bunch of money down the drain. Take a pair of scissors, cut a hole in the top, find objects in the house that can slip through the hole. Great object for sorting and such.
• 3. Old computer keyboards. You get a new computer, and it comes with all the accessories. Hold on to the old keyboard and let the kids plunk away on it while you’re working. Our library has one in the kids’ room, and the kids always head straight to it.
• 2. Rocks. Yes, I advise that you monitor the kids when they are using rocks as toys. I wouldn’t recommend using them as pretend baseballs, but rock collections seem to be a big thrill in the 5 yr. old girl arena. I don’t get it, but it keeps them entertained!

And the number one non-toy toy…..“drumroll please”

• Boxes. Big boxes, small boxes, TV boxes, shoe boxes, jewelry boxes. You name it, some kid will want it, and some parent will get a few minutes of peace while the kids are entertained, right up to the point that they start arguing over it….

What are your favorite household object suggestions for toys?

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Share your toy creations with us!

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Answer:

As always, he’s busy making rocketships. Check out the 3-D detail of the tail wing on the second!

What have your kids been doing with their wooden blocks? Send me a picture so I can feature you for Toy Creations!

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