Looking for Cheap Entertainment?

Many parents go out of there way to buy the most expensive toys for their children in the hopes of keeping them entertained. But in reality it is the cheap toys or cheap items that entertain your child. Today alone I used all five of these things, now many parents will not allow their children to use all items in one day but for me I just tune out the noise. Yes, some parents can do that.

#1 Bubbles and I’m not meaning the type you blow, however that would work just as well. But I’m talking about the type you get in a package. My sister recently sent my son a bday gift and it had five sheets of bubble wrap in it. I think she did this on purpose as she really thinks it would upset me but instead I love it. I tossed out the bubbles today for BabyGirl and taught her how to make tunes.

When I say I taught her how it does mean that I actually did it. You kidding, I’m a big kid myself. We hoped back and forth across those, we popped them with our fingers and then we ran across them some more. She’s currently sitting on them now, reading a “100 EZ lessons to Teach Your Child to Read.” Yes, she really is trying to learn.

#2 Dirt. While this may be every parents worst enemy, it seems to be a child’s best friend. Up until this year I’ve hated the dirty, I have no clue if I did as a child or not but as a parent I can’t stand my children to get dirty. My husband has always told me to lighten up and I guess after a 4th child you have to as early today I sent my child out back to dig me up another garden so I can plant seeds. She has fun digging and pretending and I can plant seeds and grow more life, just this time not through my body.

#3 Box. We’ve all learned this one, at least if you’ve celebrated your child’s first birthday. Children love the boxes, they won’t care if there is anything in them because they only want the box. Grab a box and toss it in the living room and see how fast it becomes a house, space shuttle, spy ship, etc. For even more excitement let them color it with markers, crayons or colored pencils. Children will stay in this all night if you allow it.

#4 Pots N Pans. Take some old pots you’ve got stored under your kitchen counter, rinse them out and hand them to your child. You may want to give them a wooden spoon as well, no they won’t be making you lunch but they will be making something creative out of it. Within an hour your child may have conducted an orchestra, or just a rock and roll band, walked around the house pretending to be in the marching band or maybe made you the best cuisine you’ve ever pretended to have.

#5 Bath. My children love the bathtub, whether they are in it just for fun or to actually take a bath and get clean. Throw in some bubbles or make some using their shampoo and fill it up. They’ll make themselves into an old man with a long beard, a mohawk. Add a few plastic toys (not stuffed animals) into the tub and they’ll have a village, hiding spots with bubbles, a fort, etc.

See it doesn’t take much to entertain a child, all it takes is a little thought. The next time your child tells you they are bored, try one of the above ideas. Or you could simply go to the store and buy that $100 doll that poops because it would be soooo neat to watch. Gross I know, but my daughter still wants one and she has a baby brother.