| Looking for simple, inexpensive toys for your child | | | | cooking. Wed take cups, spoons, measuring |
| that require no batteries, assembly, and keep his or | | | | cupsanything that could hold waterand transfer water |
| her attention for hours? Here are some ideas for | | | | from one pot to the other. We spent hours |
| simple things around the house that will entertain | | | | concocting various brews and soups, and usually |
| your children while you accomplish all the things on | | | | ended up soaking ourselves. Because it was just |
| your to-do list. | | | | water though, there were no stains to worry about |
| 1) Play-doh. This is easy to make and lasts for a long | | | | and the mess was relatively easy to mop up. |
| time if you keep it in an airtight container. Kids love | | | | 4) A cheap toy. Never underestimate the power of |
| things that squish and squash, so put down some | | | | one small toy. Another story from my childhood: my |
| wax paper and let their imaginations take over! To | | | | brother and I had two small action figures that wed |
| make play-doh, take two cups of wheat flour, two | | | | gotten from a kids meal. Those two men went |
| cups of water, two tablespoons of oil, one-third cup | | | | everywhere with us! Outside in the dirt, in our little |
| salt, and one-fourth cup cream of tarter and mix | | | | pool, on car rides, and so many other places. They |
| them in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Stir until | | | | helped us wash dishes, do homework, play in the |
| all excess moisture has evaporated and play-doh | | | | yard, and kept us entertained for many afternoons. |
| consistency has been reached. Let cool and store in | | | | Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my |
| plastic containers or bags. For a little extra fun, when | | | | brother and I playing with those action figures. |
| you mix all the ingredients in the saucepan, add some | | | | 5) Old clothes. Children take great delight in playing |
| food coloring for colored play-doh! | | | | adults. Oversized clothes become disguises for |
| 2) Boxes. A cardboard box can be colored on, | | | | miniature CIA agents or fancy outfits for little |
| painted, and cut, and can be easily moved or | | | | starlets. Ties, ribbons, shoes, dresses, sunglasses, and |
| disposed. An empty box can turn into a ship sailing | | | | dress shirts are especially fun for kids. |
| the high seas, a cabin in the woods, or a castle on a | | | | Simple things, when seen through the eyes of a child, |
| hill. Many grocery stores have large, empty boxes | | | | can become the most fun toy in the world. All you |
| that they are willing to give to anyone asking. | | | | need are a few of these easily-accessible items and |
| 3) Pots and pans. When I was little, my mom would | | | | a health dose of imagination, and your children will be |
| pull out her pots, pans, and metal bowls, fill some of | | | | playing happily for hours! |
| them with water, and let my brother and I play | | | | |