Entertaining your toddler or preschooler on a budget - Page 4

We saw the greatest idea on Pinterest. The kids loved it! We got a few cheap plastic toys from the dollar store (looking for more now at yard sales!) Freeze a layer of water in a small plastic box and then add the toys, fill with water and freeze again. Then give the kids a small hammer outside and let them find the toys!

My 2 yr old and I live in a small town where there is NOTHING to do, so we have to find things all the time to keep her entertained. Sometimes we'll do the little girl tea parties, or dance offs, or we'll make tutus that cost $8 at the most for all the fabrics. If she gets bored of that, we'll look in the fridge, freezer and cupboards for different foods to experiment with, so she can pretend to be a scientist. My daughters favorite thing to do is build a clubhouse out of sheets and pretend she is Cinderella in her castle. All fun and easy for both of us!

lately we have been in a carnival craze - we will host a carnival complete w/ ring toss - which is usually a round shaped tub toy that is like a "ring" over a case of propel water - cause that is what we drink...I have some sand buckets that we throw balls into and then some of our plastic cups we use to make a pyramid and throw the same balls from the sand buckets at the cups - to see if you can knock them down.  I have also started scavenger hunting with my nieces - when we walk or even around the house.  

The thing my 3 kids love the best is old boxes. Anything from building forts to just coloring, it's hours of fun for them!

I also like to take Amari to the beach. It's free. haha He likes playing in the sand. And afterwards he will always be so exhausted, that he falls right asleep before we even left the beach.

 

We love to paint and make crafts! We exercize and dance to music a lot, as well as go outside and play in nature!

I bought construction paper from the dollar store and have been making letter crafts with my 2 and a half when we are stuck at home. It helps him recognize the letters and learn the objects that start with the letters. We then put it on his bedroom wall for reinforcement and as decoration.

 

 

Pots and Pans and Wooden spoons is my cheap way to entertain my 2yo and 5yo.

 

Leslie

I can't believe no one had said it yet...looking for bugs! Not only is it great, free fun, but what a great learning experience!!