So, you’re gearing up for the arrival of your little one, huh? Like many soon-to-be parents, I went all out shopping for essentials—a bouncy seat here, a co-sleeper there. And of course, I couldn’t resist picking up some adorable toys: a fluffy bunny and those cute stacking blocks, even though I knew they’d be collecting dust for a while. Friends and family chimed in with their own gifts, from wooden puzzles to tiny cars and plastic bath buckets.
Fast forward five years and two kids later, and I’ve realized that none of those toys have really been “worth it.” If I could turn back time and give my pregnant self a piece of advice, it would be this: skip the toys altogether! Instead, stock up on these 25 everyday items that will keep your kids entertained for days—if not weeks or even years.
- A post-it pad, which can transform into art installations around the house.
- An empty tampon wrapper, the crown jewel of “pirate treasure.”
- A stash of twigs from outside, perfect for a “Blair Witch Project” reenactment.
- Everything in the junk drawer—seriously, even that sticky penny is a treasure!
- A quirky little coin purse, a dentist gift my son loves.
- Seventy-five earplugs stuffed inside that purse.
- A ripped page from a $30 pop-up book; priceless for creativity.
- My shoe, naturally.
- Dad’s shoe, making late-night escapes a mission.
- A soup ladle for magical wand adventures.
- My toothbrush, also a wand—who knew?
- Spatulas, bananas, and more tampons as essential wands.
- Colanders for a fun “car wash” game.
- A spring from a broken monster truck—still on my to-fix list.
- Anything phone-related, from the device itself to the box it came in.
- Shredded paper, also known as confetti, that the vacuum will likely ignore.
- Anything from the fridge; to my toddler, it’s like a treasure chest.
- All those shoes I stashed away for another baby—my decision to stop at two is solidified.
- The bathroom sink; my toddler would love to spend hours playing there.
- The toilet—he just has to “check” on something.
- Rocks, bugs, and possibly a squirrel carcass (until it gets noticed).
- A turkey baster, a classic.
- A screen door, a playground for imagination.
- That turkey baster making perfectly symmetrical holes in said screen door.
- An empty binoculars case, which has become his favorite nighttime companion over the stuffed bunny.
So, my friends, skip the toy aisle and take a good look around your house. Those kitchen tongs you can never find? Perfect! Or maybe that item you’ve been meaning to toss but can instead keep as part of a “city” on your floor for months. The stuffed bunny? Forgettable. The blocks? Never touched. But a post-it note? That’s a childhood classic that lasts forever.
If you’re curious about pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination. And if you want to dive deeper into the world of home insemination, consider visiting this other blog post. Plus, don’t forget to check out Cryobaby’s home insemination kit for some really great options!
In summary, save your cash on toys and embrace the treasures you already own. They’ll provide endless entertainment and creativity for your little ones.