More Fun for Nothin' Ideas

I just found this great blog with lots and lots of free/low cost fun activities for little: No Time for Flashcards. I can't wait to try some of the ideas!

Fun for Nothin'

You may have noticed a new link on my side bar... Fun for Nothin'. I was reading my blogs the other day, and came across this much more eloquent version of the same idea I talked about a while ago. The flickr group has even more ideas, and for more ages.

I also really enjoyed this article in Wondertime about parents who take their baby to some fairly remote destinations. On these trips they have a "no toys" rule, both because it would be hard to take toys from a practical point of view, and also because their baby seems perfectly happy to explore the world at hand... even when it doesn't beep or light up.

I think the key is to develop your adult creativity so you can find "toys" anywhere you are, and/or let your baby find their own toys, since they are so curious and creative by nature.

Favorite "Toys"

Toys do not have to be purchased. Many of my little man's favorite toys are not toys at all. You could go out and buy all the latest and greatest toys, but these have the double advantage of being cheap/free and readily available. Here are some of the best "toys" in our house:

1. Cereal box
2. Sippy cup with something rattling inside
3. Mailing tube
4. 6-Bottle wine carrier (cardboard)
5. Water bottle with colored water inside
6. Water bottle with macaroni inside
7. The Dishwasher
8. Remote control
   
9. A spoon
10. A magazine
11. Empty beer bottle (supervised of course!)
    
12. The tupperware cupboard
13. Easter egg with rice in it (taped shut)
14. Anything on the coffee table
15. Those springy door stop things
    
16. Pack of cards
    
17. A piece of paper
18. Can of Little Puffs/Gerber graduates finger foods
    
19. Empty cardboard box

What does your baby play with?