Paper punches

West loves using any sort of tool or utensil. These large paper punches are some of his favorite things to play with. I've found that the larger the punch and more simple the shape, the easier it is for him to use. He'll just sit at the table and punch out squares and circles out of construction paper. I also use a regular hole punch to add holes to the squares and circles. Then he strings them on a piece of yarn and hangs them from various places. Pipe cleaners are good for threading them on to as well.

Sensory balloons

I filled six balloons with flour, quinoa, sprinkles, Moonclay (from a sample I had), baby wipes or hand lotion. Each balloon has a very different feel. All except the one filled with hand lotion are somewhat moldable.

West's favorite is the one with hand lotion because it's the squishiest.

To fill them I used a kitchen funnel and pushed as much of the ingredients in as possible.

Obviously, playing with these requires close supervision.

This idea is from playathomemom3.blogspot.com

Things to do with a light box

low light = blurry pictures

Clear teething toys and balls. I would set them on the box and Lula would toss them off.

The hair gel and glitter ziplocks have a cool effect too.

Clear blocks are fun for stacking

Very sheer fabrics are fun too

Scarves are fun to layer.

The options are limitless!

This is fun on dark mornings when the kids get up early and it will be fun in the dark winter evenings.

chalk and water

West loves to clean anything, even chalk off of the patio.

There's something magical about how the chalk 'disappears' when water is added.

This time, he wanted me to draw and he wanted to 'clean.'

A squirt bottle is fun.

So is a paint brush.

But a squeeze bottle is the best, in West's opinion.

A pumpkin, a nail and a hammer

It's a bit early to carve pumpkins, but I couldn't wait to try this!

I poked the nail in a little bit and he hammered it in. We did this over and over. He loved it!

Lula enjoyed watching but is looking forward to next year when she can participate. West was really good at hitting the nail; great hand-eye coordination.

The finished pumpkin! He wanted to color on it so we used permanent marker (the only thing we had that would write on the pumpkin).

Trees and yarn

Tree trunks are a perfect place to stick yarn to. Who knew?

West had fun separating the strands and putting them on the tree.

He even made a nest for a bird.

He found that Lula's head was a good place for a nest too!

Felt shaped would also work really well on the tree trunk. I think we'll try that next!

How to make a light box for around $20

You need:

• A plastic container with either a flat and smooth bottom or top
• A length of rope lights (I used a 12 foot lenght)
• Black plastic friendly spray paint
• Hot glue gun and lots of hot glue sticks
• Blue painter's tape
• Piece of vellum paper to fit window (optional)

This container is great because it's not very deep and is really sturdy. I got it at Target. As you can see, the lid is not smooth and flat...

but the bottom is. This actually is better because it makes the light box more stable. The lid/top is wider than the bottom.

Tape off the inside bottom of the box. And spray paint the inside of the box and the inside of the lid.

Drill a hole in the box for the cord to go through. Hot glue the rope lights to the lid. I used a lot of glue.

Optional. tape a piece of vellum paper to the inside of the window.

Put the pieces together and you're ready to go!

What can you do with a light box?

Play with translucent toys such as blocks, sheer fabrics, hair gel ziplocks, pieces of paper, water beads etc etc

milk carton bowling

10 empty quarter gallon milk jugs and a ball

The kids had a blast with this simple activity. Sometimes entertaining a couple of toddlers can really be this easy. We will be bowling a lot this winter.

Water beads

These pictures aren't the best, the lighting was bad.

Water beads!

They bounce and slip around.

These can be found at Michaes in the floral department. They're meant for flower vases and such. You can buy them 'ready to go' or dry. Dry is much cheaper. Just add water, let them soak for a few hours and you're ready for fun! I added food coloring while they were soaking. West played with them in an enclosed shower stall because they bounce and roll and I didn't want them anywhere where Lula could get them. Also, water beads last for a long time, you just need to keep them wet.

Thanks to playathomemom3.blogspot.com for the fantastic idea!

Fun with a pvc pipe

What do you do with a spare pvc tube that's in the yard?

Prop one end up and roll some balls down!

It's fun to watch them roll down or catch them on the other side.

Add water for even more fun!

One person dumps water down the tube into the waiting truck.

So simple, yet so much fun. The kids liked to watch the water and balls roll down the tube.

Baby gate as activity center

Lula loves to stand and play.

This gate's primary purpose is to keep her off the steps,obviously, but it works great as an activity center too! She walks back and forth playing with the toys for quite a while.

Running ribbons

A link from a baby toy, some sheer ribbon and a running toddler.

West loves watching the ribbons as he runs. I love how simple it can be, sometimes, to entertain a toddler.