Some Stuff I Like to Keep My Kids Busy

Here are my top suggestions for "products" you should buy (or find or barter for on Facebook Marketplace). They are in no particular order and do not fall into one single category. I don't have time to organize like that so it's coming out of my brain onto this page as-is! This is just a snapshot in time and children's interests are like dust in the wind so I'm sure I'll be sharing another short list next week... or maybe tomorrow...

1. A box of marbles and other treasures. We were at my family's house for the weekend and my 2 year old daughter found a box of marbles in a long lost toy chest. They are now a part of her soul. She loves nothing more than these marbles. And they are so versatile. I mean the possibilities are endless. You may be surprised at what creative uses a toddler can find for them. Example: I Spy inside a ball pit! So fun. But seriously, marbles and boxes of other random treasures (pictured here) are great for open-ended play! Obviously, you know your child and if this presents a choking hazard and makes you super uncomfortable because kids are always trying to do themselves in then I understand. Bonus points if you can find a box with some creepy clowns on it. So, grab some marbles and get marbling on this big blue marble of ours!

   

   Creepy Clown Marbles

   

   Treasure Box

2. Teething tubes for babies! Ok so I have a lot to say about plastic toys in babies' mouths, but I will save that for another day. If you're worried about BPA and BPS in plastics (which you should be) then the Moonjax Baby Teether Natural Rubber is for you! If you're broke like me and have to pick your poison at this point then the Re: Play Assorted Teether Straws from Target are for you! They are BPA free. Teething tubes are the bees knees because they are fun/easy to hold for baby, they teach them coordination, give baby some practice for eating solid foods, and they're portable. Yes, there will be some gagging involved. It's all part of the fun! I don't leave home without one for my 6 month old.

   
   

www.liltulips.com

Moonjax® Baby Teether Natural Rubber Hevea

Made with love and little ones in mind; for tiny hands to hold and little mouths to find.™Product details: newborn + functional Functional Ergonomic Design: Easy for babies to find and easy to holdNon-toxic: BPA, PVC, & Phthalate free.Our rubber teether is made from the rubber from the hevea tree and has zero addi

Natural Rubber Teether

www.target.com

Re-Play Assorted Teether Straws with Cleaning brush - 4pk

Read reviews and buy Re-Play Assorted Teether Straws with Cleaning brush - 4pk at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

Silicone + Plastic Teethers

3. A ball pit. The bigger the better. If you can swing it, figure out how to get a ball pit inside your home. My toddler is a crazy person and jumping into the ball pit seems to soothe her primal desire to wile the fuck out at 8pm! I bought 700 balls off Facebook Marketplace for $25. My husband happens to work in the foam business so he made a makeshift ball pit for us. However you get it done, get it done! Even my 6 month old loves swimming around in this thing.

   
   

4. This switchboard is so fun for all ages! I caught my father-in-law playing with it just the other day. Consider it fidgety STEM learning. I also like that it's at least partially wood because I wish plastic would die... but it NEVER will. They have a lot of different versions on Amazon. I'm actually about to go get another one right MEOW!