G is still LOVING his busy boxes! I swap out the contents of MOST of them on a monthly basis (some I do hang on to longer if he is still actively choosing it and engaging).
Here's what we have for February!
Play-Doh
He's had play dough before, but this time, I've added some new components. I added extra colors (previously he only had two cans), a small box of trinkets (googly eyes, pompoms, and glass pebbles), as well as sculpting tools and a rolling pin. Changing things up can breathe new life into an "old" activity!
Cheese and Sticks
Once our parmesan cheese container was empty and cleaned, I tossed it in a busy box! I paired it with some plastic popsicle sticks (from the Dollar Tree) and showed G how to drop the stick through the hole. He LOVES this activity and even when he drops all the sticks in, he can shake the container hard enough that they come back out through the large opening!
Stamps
These are his FAVORITE stamps! We get them in the Target dollar spot, Oriental Trading, and even in party bags sometimes! Not only does he love to stamp paper (and okay, HIMSELF!), he loves matching the lids to the stamps!
Sensory Bin
I had every intention of making a Valentine-themed box, but he is SO into dinosaurs right now that I had to make one! I dyed some rice green and filled it with tiny dinos, eggs, rocks, and plant life. He LOVES it!! PS: This one is for sale in our shop, too!
Smooth and Rough
I filled a box with some new, interesting things for G to explore. We talk about which things are smooth (free carpet square from Home Depot) and which things are rough (sandpaper, plastic acorn, tiny spider).
Colander and Pipe Cleaners
I have this tiny metal colander (I honestly think it was from the Target dollar spot a couple years back!) and matched it with pieces of snipped pipe cleaners. G turns the colander over and pushes the pipe cleaners through all the holes. It's always a hit!
Are you using busy boxes with your busy tot? I know my tot certainly loves them and often requests, "Box? Box?"
Written by Jill
These are great ideas! I guess I need to start collecting all of those little stamps rather than just throwing them out. My toddler would probably love having a stamp box like yours.
ReplyDeleteI really like all your ideas. I really need to try the stamp idea with Aarya.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! Love the parmesan cheese & popsicle stick activity. Totally going to try it with my almost-3yo.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of being annoying, I'm going to leave another comment. :-) My little guy LOVED the parm cheese/popsicle stick activity this morning!! He told me several times how much he liked it. It kept him busily engaged while I did math (we homeschool) with his 6yo brother. What a help! And I already had the supplies on hand. Today I picked up a few more items to work on some of your other great ideas. Thanks again!
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