As new parents, it’s tempting to fill your home with all the adorable toys and gadgets. I remember stocking up on essentials like a co-sleeper and a cozy bouncy seat, along with a few irresistibly cute toys—a stuffed bunny here, some colorful stacking blocks there. Family and friends contributed their shares too, gifting us everything from wooden puzzles to plastic bath buckets.
Fast forward five years and two children later, and I’ve learned a valuable lesson: none of those toys were truly worth it. If I could rewind time and give my expecting self one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t spend your hard-earned money on toys. Instead, focus on gathering these 25 everyday items that will keep your little ones entertained for days, if not longer.
- A stack of post-it notes, which can be stuck to all sorts of places around the house (like that open mascara wand).
- An empty tampon wrapper, which transforms into “pirate treasure.”
- A collection of twigs smuggled in from outdoors, perfect for a “Blair Witch Project” installation.
- Everything from the junk drawer—sticky pennies, straw wrappers, you name it.
- A cute little coin purse, selected as a gift from the dentist, which my son adores.
- Seventy-five earplugs to fill that same coin purse.
- A torn page from an overpriced pop-up book.
- My shoe, which somehow holds more magic than any toy.
- Daddy’s shoe, making it a challenge to head out for a date night.
- A soup ladle turned wand.
- My toothbrush, also serving as a wand.
- Spatulas, bananas, and more tampons—perfect for wand-making.
- Every colander in the house for an exciting game of “car wash.”
- The spring from a broken toy truck that is still on my to-fix list.
- My phone, along with its box and rubber case—anything phone-related is a hit.
- Shreds of paper, aka confetti, that the vacuum cleaner will never catch.
- Anything within the fridge—my toddler views it as a wonderland of excitement.
- Shoes stored away for a potential new baby, which have become the object of much exploration.
- The bathroom faucet, where my toddler dreams of uninterrupted playtime.
- The toilet—you can’t forget the fascination with finding “something” in there.
- Rocks, bugs, and even a dried-up squirrel carcass (at least until someone notices).
- A turkey baster, which is surprisingly fun.
- A screen door, which can serve as a canvas for creativity.
- The turkey baster making perfectly symmetrical holes in that screen door.
- An empty binoculars case, which my child prefers over any stuffed animal.
So, the takeaway? Skip the toys and look around your home for treasures—your good kitchen tongs, for instance, that you’ll never find again. Or keep things you’re tempted to toss, letting them sit for a few months as part of a “city.” The stuffed bunny? A distant memory. The blocks? Unused. But a post-it note? That’s a keeper.
For more helpful tips on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource: Women’s Health and explore further insights at Home Insemination Kit’s Terms and Conditions. If you’re looking for authority on this topic, visit Make a Mom’s Insemination Kit.
Summary:
In this lighthearted guide, new parents are encouraged to rethink their spending on toys and instead focus on everyday household items that captivate children’s imaginations. With a playful list of alternatives, the article emphasizes that simple items often provide more entertainment than traditional toys.