FREE or CHEAP toys to make !

[pheonixxf]

Home Made Tamborine

Materials Needed:

Left over Aluminum or cardboard pie or tart size pan.
paper hole punch
string, ribbon, left over pieces of crepe paper streamers
dried beans or small pebbles

Place the pans top sides together and make holes every 1 1/2 to 2' through both pans. Lace the string or ribbon through the hole to sew the pans together, before you finish, drop in some pebbles or dried beans. Be sure to knot the ends securely! Let the kids have fun tying or gluing the streamers around the edges. If you've used the cardboard type (made for the microwave) they can even color or paint their own designs on it.

A Free Playhouse

Materials Needed:

Appliance or furniture box
Fabric Scraps or old curtains
Sharp knife
masking tape
Paint (optional)

Go to a near by appliance store and ask for a refrigerator or washer box. Cut out doors and windows. Tape the cutains up. If you have leftover paint let the kids get creative.


"A long time ago, neighboring newlyweds got a whole apartment full of new furniture, all in boxes. We joined all the boxes together and had many rooms and hours of fun. Even the box from their headboard didn't go to waste. It became a hallway from one room to another."

FREE PLAY GROCERIES - just in case it never occurred to someone

Materials Needed:

Packages you would normaly put in the trash
glue

The next time you open a box of macaroni and cheese or instant oatmeal do it very carefully so that you can reseal the package. If your toddler just got a shopping cart or a kitchen set save all the packaging you can. Empty yogurt containers, margarine tubs, etc. Don't reuse plastic bags and cans that could be dangerous!

[TeresaD90]

I never thought about these ideas. Money is tight this Christmas and the playhouse is a wonderfully frugal idea my 2yr old DD will love! Thanks