Avoiding store-bought toys: Household products for quality play 13 Articles

by Ginger Kazay

Many common household products make toys that stimulate creativity and the intelligence. Store bought toys can be fine but they do nothing to stimulate the child's intelligence and creativity. They do not NEED to be cr...read more

by S.D. Bills

When I was a kid, I read MAD Magazine. There was one comic strip of a mom and dad giving their son a big box for Christmas. Wide-eyed with anticipation, the boy opened the box, paper and bows filled the background. The nex...read more

by Rene Kelly

Too much is made nowadays of toys store bought or otherwise. When I was a kid back in the dark ages before toys were invented (we're talking 1950's and 60's here, people), even cardboard boxes were a luxury that we didn'...read more

by Meaghan Louise Aitchison

I spent a fortune on my first child, only to discover that what I brought held his interest for little more than a few minutes. By time I had my fourth, I was much wiser. Heres a list of common household items that can mak...read more

by Pat Veretto

You've heard about the expensive store-bought toy sitting in the corner while the child plays with the box? Let that be the first clue. Children don't need complicated and expensive store-bought toys. Complicated toys ...read more

by Trish Anderson

Who hasn't seen a young child ignore an expensive, top-of-the-range toy in favour of a plastic mixing bowl and spoon, or an empty box? Kids like noise and durability. Something that will satisfy their need to touch, bang,...read more

by Jackie Az

The best type of play requires imagination, and using household items as toys instead of store-bought ones can help to foster the imagination. This is because store-bought toys are usually made for one specific purpose, an...read more

by Kirsten Letts

Its the simplest things that I love to watch my daughter play with, the way her imagination takes her to wherever she wants to be gives me so much pleasure. Just yesterday she amused herself with a box opened at both ends....read more

by Nikko Palmario

If you just switch on your imagination, you'd be pretty surprised how everyday household items can turn into playthings that are just not fun, but educational as well! Sponges: Why not use sponges as blocks? (and you ca...read more

by Celia Craske

Toys for different ages using everyday objects: For Babies Put some dry peas into a plastic bottle with a screw top for a rattle. Make a mobile using a wire coat hanger and cutout shapes of coloured card String e...read more

by Ninna P

The thing with store-bought toys is that it somewhat hinders the child's ability to create and imagine. Store-bought toys (especially electronic ones) provide little room for the child to explore with his senses. Case in p...read more

by Doreen Rosevold

The most expensive store-bought toy in the world will not bring satisfaction without the addition of a child's imagination. So before you shell out the equivalent of a car payment for the latest gizmo, think about using t...read more

by Teresa Quesenberry

Some homemade baby (toddler) toys and craft ideas to get you started. · Put some blocks, rocks or dried beans into a mashed potato can or potato chip can (such as Pringles) (wash first) for some shaking fun. The m...read more