I don’t know about you but sometimes (like 3,000 times a day) I run out of stuff to entertain the kids with because they’re thoroughly sick of playing with their advanced techie vtech toys (which is the point I go on and on about how we never had all these toys and had to make do with five stones and zero point). So instead of running out and buying more toys, we improvise.
Their favorite so far is what I like to call the basket train, where I put them in my laundry basket and push them around the house. The good thing is that I get to entertain both kids at the same time so the madness is contained. But it’s admittedly a lot more strenuous for me because I’m like a coolie while they clap and yell “faster mommy, FASTER!!”
5 minutes in, I park them at a corner and tell them they’re not supposed to get out because the train is waiting for more passengers. So they sit inside quietly doing their huggy stuff while I sneak away for a breather to sip my coffee.
Fair trade, I think.
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool but one day either this basket will break or your back will break.
Yeah, we always have to improvise or make.
I have make a few interactive toys for Yvette (mainly using paper, laminating machines and velco tape.)
P/S: I always love to see kids hug each other. They look so cute together!
sunflower´s last post ..Far Far Away-
@sunflower, I think my back will break first!
Hey share your interactive toys, I have all your three items, haha.
The picture of Tru hugging baby girl is just too sweet!!
@yAnn, Yeah strangely he’s extra huggy to Kirsten and gives a goofy grin to boot when posing for the camera. Any hug longer than 2 seconds from us and he’s like GET ME OUTTA HERE!
hi hi, get those HP big-printer/ LCD boxes, just cut out the windows..and see how your kids explore their own make-believe zone keke …
andy´s last post ..NDP 2010 Rehearsal with Mobile Column – Padang
@andy, Hey, good idea. I haven’t bought much electronics though, and I think people may point and stare if I go around collecting cardboard boxes, LOL.
Sweet photos! I think cardboard boxes are good idea. I should try them out next time too :)
Tin´s last post ..Holidays
@Tin, Cheap and good! Can somebody do a sample with step by step instructions? Sunflower?
@Daphne, Great Sabo… don’t worry I read many many blogs… you can read this blog for idea – http://www.childhood101.com/
Mama J read her blog too!
sunflower´s last post ..Our First World Cup 2010 Betting
@sunflower, Hahaha. Yes I’ve read that blog but I’m not the crafty type (hmm, didn’t come out right) lei. The last time I made a cat using plasticine and someone thought it was a snowman. True story.
@Daphne, Ya, Childhood 101 is great for ideas… :) And most don’t involve plasticine, so I’m sure you’d do great! ;)
Jus´s last post ..Thankful Tuesdays- Living and learning
This is soooo adorable. My son loves the laundry basket also. Come to think of it, so did I when I was a kid.
Out with the techie toys, and back to basics is really the way to go! Try bubble wrap :)
@shawn, Sorry I’m keeping the bubble wrap for personal use. You know how awesome it is. =)
I think I have a weakness for your girl…she is too adorable! :)
@Fang, why not go for No.3 then? hahhaha.
My kids love the basket too, but we make life slightly easier by using those toyogo boxes that has wheels!
My gal used to have a cardbox house in which she eats, plays and draw – used to because one day she decided to pee in it. I spent less than $20 – $10 for the box (yes I had to buy it – it was the biggest box the courier co had) and then $10 or so on the masking tape and the stickers I used to decorate it.
Once i picked up a discarded TV box so it became a long and narrow castle which she just crawl in and out! Time to take it out for #2 to use it soon!
@Lereina, Oh goodness you decorated it? Couriered over? Got pictures??
If you ever build another cardboard house I guess you’ll need to do some minor renovation and build a toilet bowl or something.
@Daphne,
ok managed to dig out the old post:
http://muminthemaking.blogspot.com/2008/12/specifications-updates.html
and here:
http://muminthemaking.blogspot.com/2008/09/castle.html
and here:
http://muminthemaking.blogspot.com/2008/09/one-month-later.html
Lereina´s last post ..motherhood and what nots
@Lereina, Thank you! Awesome, I’ll do my homework by reading through your posts tonight.
@Daphne, Hey I am inspired as well!
I might want to make one for Yvette now!!!
sunflower´s last post ..Terrible Two – Testing The Limit
soooooo cute!
lxlb´s last post ..Swimming with the girlfriend-
Awww… I love those pictures! And heee, great idea to pretend the basket is a train. I used to put the boy in the basket while I was cooking along with a few toys as a makeshift playpen… but that was when he couldn’t stand up!
Jus´s last post ..Thankful Tuesdays- Living and learning
@Jus, you’re the creative one! Even if i could find the time i wouldn’t find enough brain juice to do the stuff that you do, its really quite amazing..
Sweeeeet! Best things in life are free (excluding your chiropractor’s fees, of cos…)!
San´s last post ..Introduction to Charities Part 2
@San, Totally agree. Or cheap – Kirsten is raiding my tissue box now! aargh.