Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

Entertaining Toddlers and Staying Organized

by

Let’s talk about toy storage for a moment, shall we? We get questions from time-to-time on how we organize our ‘toy room’, and I always chuckle a little. Because this is our ‘toy room’.

Our 'TOY ROOM' {Sawdust and Embryos}

Sure, it’d be nice to have a space like this. But we find that the girls get bored with their toys quickly anyway, so WHY DEDICATE AN ENTIRE ROOM OF THE HOUSE TO THEM? We keep most of them out of sight (and reach) until they’ve been gone long enough to have their ‘new toy magic’ quality about them again. And then we swap ‘em out! We’ve done this since they were babies, and it not only keeps our living space relatively toy-free, but it also keeps them more entertained.

Plus we know most toddlers prefer non-toy-items anyway (like paper towel tubes and laundry baskets).

iphonedec 022 photo (8)

 

HOWEVER!

…It’s about this time of year that I start yearning for warmer days and greener grass. Especially now that I have littles running about. It’s such a struggle coming up with things to entertain them, and some days I feel like I’m just treading water. The children are BORED. And mommy is WEARY.

Sawdust and Embryos

Since the girls are at an age where they love to make decisions, I decided it would be fun to give them OPTIONS when they’re bored. So I gathered many of the items that are normally ‘confiscated’, photographed them, and printed them as a collage… like so:

Photograph toddler activities and laminate them! {Sawdust and Embryos}

A couple of the images were stock photos (like the bubbles… because bubbles are hard to photograph!), but as long as you aren’t planning on selling these, it should be ok to use images found online.

The beauty of this is that you can use whatever ya got! Or if you need ideas, you can look through websites that have clever ideas to entertain toddlers like this or this, or my ‘Kid Things’ Pinterest Board.

Then I cut them out and laminated them with my new laminator!

Photograph and laminate toddler activities for them to choose from when they're bored! {Sawdust and Embryos}This laminator is my new favorite thing in the whole world. I’m constantly looking for new fun things to laminate. I’ve made the girls alphabet and number flashcards. They’re going to be the smartest tots around.

And I didn’t realize how simple it is to laminate stuff. Just send it through the machine, and snip away!

Photograph and laminate activities for toddlers to choose from when they're bored! {Sawdust & Embryos}

And the true beauty of this is that *I* can choose which cards they get to choose from. If I don’t want to mess with finger paint? TAKE IT OUT! Not feeling like making cookies? TAKE IT OUT!

Photograph and laminate activity cards for toddlers to choose from when they're bored {Sawdust and Embryos}

The girls get so excited about choosing an activity each day! If you have one child, you’ll be glad to know that it’s less complicated because they don’t have to take turns choosing. But the girls are learning that concept, and we rarely have a conflict.

iphonedec 250

And I love that I can always add activities as they grow and their interests change and evolve!

I’m always open to new and/or educational activities, so throw out some ideas in the comment section! Let’s make it through these cold/dreary months together by sharing ideas!

Sawdust & Embryos

This is NOT a sponsored post. We purchased our laminator with our own money. Scotch brand doesn’t even know that we exist! We are, however, including affiliate links through Amazon… so if you purchase using our link, we get a kick-back!

Related:

Comments

  2. 18

    Did you know that the photos you created is part of a system called PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System? It’s a great way to allow children who don’t have the language to let you know what they want.

    Reply
  5. 21

    Love this idea! My son is only 6 months but I’m definitely pinning this for later! As for the laminating…I’m a teacher, so the cutting drives me crazy and I always smile a little when people say how much they love laminating. It’s all in the perspective, right? 😉

    Reply
  6. 22

    Great idea! I just got a laminator too! I’m in love! I laminated a bunch of things just today! I made a memory game, some preschool worksheets/games, it’s great! It’s helping a lot for the at home preschool I do for my kids.

    Reply
  7. 23

    We did this with food choices too (and still do a similar thing today) Not that I expect anyone to be a short order cook, but I give my daughter the choice of what she’d like. Snacks were included too. She got to pick the magnet from the fridge when it was time to pick what was for lunch and snack. I think it cut out a lot of fights with my picky eater.

    Reply
  8. 25

    I’m teaching my little guy to play hopscotch. I use painters tape to mark it on the floor. With two girls you can make a start and finish line and play “mother, may I” or “Red light, Green light”.

    Reply
  9. 27

    Beth, What a great idea!! Variety, and mom has control over the # of choices. Just think of all the kinds of Memory games you could create, too!

    Reply
  10. 29

    I don’t have any kids but as a teacher I love this idea! And I also love my laminator! The power of choice is very…well…powerful for children.

    Reply
  11. 30

    Do you think my teenage boys will like this this looks like a whole lot of fun . I think they might think I am crazy though . The other day I asked my youngest do you want me to make you playdough he said mom I am 12 no :{

    Reply
  12. 31

    When mine were little, I made life-size Candyland. I cut a bunch of construction paper sheets in half to make the spaces- however many you want in 6 colors. Spread them out randomly in a winding path in a room or two. I took an empty Kleenex cube and put a piece of each color of construction paper on each side of the cube to make a dice. The girls would start at the beginning and I would roll the dice to see which color one kid was to go to next. Of course first one to the end is the winner. Normally repeated several times…

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.