Presented by LEGO® DUPLO®
The days are long and the minutes are even longer when it comes to keeping babies and toddlers entertained. Babies aren’t super mobile, and toddlers move from one thing to the next in the blink of an eye, so if you haven’t whipped up a busy box for toddlers or your baby yet, it might be time to give it a try. With a little prep work, you can captivate babies and toddlers and keep them playing independently while you relax, make dinner, do laundry, or straighten up the living room. These nine ideas range from easy to crafty, but there’s a busy box here for every type of kiddo.
1. Build Your Busy Box for Toddlers
Back away from Pinterest. Busy boxes don’t have to be fancy or follow a theme. Just plop some interesting and baby-safe items in a box, and let baby explore, like with this random collection of goodies from Busy Toddler.
2. Choose Interesting Things for Your Busy Box
Anna from The Imagination Tree recommends finding items with different textures, materials, shapes and sounds to keep baby absorbed as long as possible, while promoting independent play.
3. Make a Different Busy Box for Babies
Even the littlest babes can enjoy busy boxes. This one from The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide uses cloth napkins, but you can substitute burp cloths. Babies can pull, touch, gnaw on, and see all the different colors of fabric.
4. Add to the Busy Box as Your Toddler Grows
Add a new challenge to your bits of fabric by tying on small rattles or toys for baby to discover. Jamie from Hands on as We Grow recommends this as well as placing the fabric inside an old wipes box (recycling win!). Hiding the fabric pieces in the box adds an element of surprise and makes for fascinating pull-it-out and stuff-it-in play.
5. Group Objects by Theme
If you want to make a busy box for toddlers or babies that has a theme, use items like wooden toys, kitchen utensils, or musical instruments. Rotate your boxes or toy bins regularly to give your baby new stimulation.
6. Sort by Color
Even before toddlers know their colors, they can start recognizing, sorting, or just enjoying playing with colored objects. The OT Toolbox shows you how to make these color-sorting busy bags. They’re fun for babies and will grow with your child as he/she gains more dexterity.
7. Use an Old Handbag as a Busy Box
Most little kids love to dig into Mommy’s purse. To avoid having your keys and credit cards go missing, give your child their very own purse (one of your old ones or a thrift-store find works fine). Fill it with baby-safe treasures like expired credit cards, a small mirror, anything you don’t mind your child playing with that isn’t a choking hazard.
8. Try Magnets with Older Babies and Toddlers
Creating a busy box for toddlers that includes magnets will require more adult supervision, but it’s worth your time! Place a few magnets in an inexpensive metal pan or use a metal box like a lunch box (the lunch box makes it easy to take on the go). Magnets can be dangerous if ingested, so don’t leave young children alone with anything containing magnets. You’ll want to stick around anyway to watch your little one learn about how magnets work. This clever idea comes courtesy of Sisters, What!
9. Incorporate Pretend Play
Teach Me Mommy has an adorable busy box for toddlers that uses felt to create an ice cream sundae bar. Kids can whip up a yummy dessert using simple felt pieces that are easy to make at home.
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