Cheap Fun

Instead of buying another toy for your child (a toy that they will probably get tired of in a week), try this fun idea:

Create your own play area on the floor!

Basic Supplies: a roll of masking tape, small toys (vehicles, animals, people)
Optional supplies: colored paper, foil, cloth scraps or wash cloths, scissors, small boxes, markers (for you to label buildings or make signs)

Ideas to get you started: Think about what type of small toys your child has or enjoys playing with (little people, cars, trains, zoo or farm animals?) and make an appropriate setting.

Example 1: Have a lot of animals? Make a zoo. Use the tape to mark out animal cages of different sizes and shapes. A plastic fruit basket or clear container could be a cage, but just a square taped on the floor works too. You can write or draw labels and signs. Use masking tape also to make paths connecting the cages.

Example 2: For the train or vehicle lover, use the masking tape to make tracks or roads. Make it interesting by adding bridges, tunnels, or ramps. Don’t forget the road signs and a station or two.

Example 3: Make a neighborhood. Start with a couple houses and some roads. Add a school, grocery store, Wal-Mart or other familiar places. Maybe a park with a pond or swimming pool.

Help your child think of pretend scenarios to act out with the toys. You could also map a setting for a simple fairy tale and help your child tell the story using toys. (Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Boy, etc.)

idea taken from MOPS On The Hill Blog