Basket Toss

Items Needed:
Wiffle balls or Wiffle golf balls, bean bags, playground ball (We chose Wiffle balls)
Bowl
Laundry basket


Place Wiffle balls in a bowl and place the basket on the side propped up with a pillow or books to tilt it a little. Give a quick demonstration. I chose to do the basket toss. You could also have your child roll them in the basket like soccer and a goal, or you could bounce a play ground ball into the basket. Many options to choose from!

This kept my oldest son entertained but my little one could care less after 5 min. He'd throw them all in the gather them all up again. Super handy to have the bowl (a colander from their kitchen tools) near.

Source: Unplugged Play

Take Along Busy Bag

You know those times when you have to go somewhere but there's an infinite  a waiting period? For example, at the hairdresser's, the doctor's office, a restaurant, or a stinkin' auto mechanic shop... Well why not take a Busy Bag for the kiddos to enjoy while it's not only tough for you to wait but for them as well. Kids don't understand time yet, especially my little ones. You can use a drawstring bag or a backpack but I just picked up a tote back from Michaels dollar section. The boys are obsessed with Super heroes right now. Especially D. He LOVES The Hulk.

Some suggestions for a Busy Bag are:
coloring books and paper
crayons and markers
dolls and assorted clothing
treats or snacks
matchbox cars
puzzles

For my lil one I sometimes bring his favorite blanket, toy, or stuffed animal.

I have our bag always packed and ready to go. I don't let the boys play with it either. Just when we're out and about... waiting somewhere. I also change it up with items from our Busy Box so they don't get bored with the items.

In our Bag right now I have our magnet tray, some transformers, a pen and paper, (D LOVES to write/draw on paper) and a wooden train. I also pack a diaper and some wipes. The boys always have a water or a milk with them also. 

Here it is all packed!

Source: The Toddler's Busy Book

The Preschooler's Busy Book

Busy Bag: Lid Drop

Items Needed:
Baby wipe box
Milk lids

Just drop the lids though the slit. T played with this for a good 30 min.

D was making cakes and I was the customer. ;]

*Part of our Busy Box

Source: The Toddler's Busy Book

Busy Bag: Cupcake

Items Needed:
Felt
Scissors

Made these for D. He was playing with them as I was cutting them out. After I was finished so was he. I'm hoping he'll want to play with them some more. T on the other hand just wants to eat them. :]

I made him two choices of cupcakes, chocolate and vanilla. Also two flavors of frosting, buttercream, and chocolate. The toppings are marshmallows, chocolate chips, and cherries.

I think they turned out so cute! They even make me want to bake some!

Here's the download for the cupcakes. 

*Part of our Busy Box

Busy Bag: Pom Pom Stuff In

Items Needed:
A clean container
Pom Poms

Poke a hole in the top big enough to barely fit the pom poms through.

T couldn't figure out what to do at first, of course, so I showed him how to push his finger onto the pom pom and it'd go through the hole. He caught on pretty quickly after that. I tried varying it up by taking the lid off to see if he'd just like to drop them in, however he kept picking the lid back up and trying to put it back on, so he likes it on. :]

Then he figured out an even better idea... TO EAT THEM. So, sadly I had to take them away and it ruined his fun. :( I hate making the boys sad by removing something that they enjoy. (i.e. leaving the park, etc)

Showed D this and he LOVES it also. He has been dumping and filling for a bit now. He has even come back to it after hours have gone by doing something else. 

D says it's volcano and the pom poms are getting hot. ;]

*Part of our Busy Box

Source

Busy Bag: Clothespin Poke

Items needed:
Empty egg carton
Clothespins


Punch a hole in the bottom of the carton big enough to hold the clothespins.

D started counting as he was putting them in and pulling them out.

T enjoyed chewing on them more. :]

and walking around...

D played with this for a long time and even started to pretend that it was a rocket ship and the clothespins were people. They visited the Moon, Mars, and Earth. They'd get off at each planet and then get back on to visit the next. :] I LOVE his imagination! We even took turns pinning them to our shirts and D couldn't stop laughing. :]]

*Part of our Busy Box

Source: The Preschooler''s Busy Book

Busy Bag: Bubble Bottle

Items needed:
Clean, empty 32 oz soda bottle with lid
Water
Tempera paint (I used white)
1/3 C liquid detergent (I used dish soap)
Strong adhering glue (I used super glue)

Fill soda bottle to about 1/3 full with water. Add a spoon or two of tempura paint and the liquid detergent. Glue the cap on.

Making bubbles...

T enjoyed rolling the bottle more than shaking it. He just couldn't quiet get a grip on the bottle.

Shake, shake, shake...

*Part of our Busy Box

Source: The Preschooler''s Busy Book

Busy Bag: Magnet Fun

Today D made it back from his Gma's in MN. I missed him so! Sounds like he had lots of fun up there... swimming, going to the lake, Gma's birthday, visiting ALL his cousins at the same time (they all live in different states from one another), visiting his relatives, seeing the Mall of America and enjoying some special time with Gma. T and I are glad to have him back. Now time to keep the boys BUSY!

Items needed:
Metal pan
Magnets

Purchased the magnets, little metal tin, and spinning light toy at Michaels in the clearance section.

Trying to dump them out. :]

D was giving me magic powers. :]

D sorted his. Kept saying the blue ones go in his tin case.

Giving himself magic powers...

Another busy toy... The spinning light toy. Both boys could't get enough of it. T gets frustrated though. :( Can't figure out how to make it spin.

You can even take this on a road trip! ;]

*Part of our Busy Box

Source: The Toddler's Busy Book

Busy Box

*Will post as they come along...
A box created to hold a Toddler's attention and keep them occupied. Ideal for those moments when you need to cook dinner!

Sticky Figures
Texture Touch
Surprise Tins
Shaker Bottle
Clothespin Drop
Who Do You See?
Mailbox
Wave Bottle
Bubble Bottle
Clothespin Poke
Grocery Store
What's in the Jar?
Fun with Kleenex
Squishy Bag
Magnets
Cupcake
Pom Pom Stuff In
Pom Pom Fun
Lid Drop
Basket Toss

Source: The Toddler's Busy Book

The Preschooler's Busy Book

Busy Bag: Clothespin Drop

Items needed:
Clean plastic milk jug (1/2-gallon or 1-gallon size)
6-8 clothespins

T liked this one a lot more than the Egg Carton with Easter eggs. I would count as he or I would drop them in and I'd count them as I'd pull them back out. I put a total of 8 inside and one time he even repeated the number eight. It was one of those *freaking out* moments!

*Part of our Busy Box

Source: The Toddler's Busy Book