Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Toddler Busy Bag Swap

I saw a fun idea on Pinterest recently.
I kept seeing fun toddler busy bag ideas that I wanted to do for my little ones.
Between football practices, karate practices and doctor appointments, church, etc...I felt like I needed some activities for my kids to do that didn't involve eating!
(am I the only one who uses snacks to get my kids to behave and be quiet when out in public??)
So I pinned a few ideas and kept telling myself to make them.
But the more I thought about making ONE of each of these simple little ideas, I thought it would be so much more efficient to have friends involved.
So the Toddler Busy Bag Swap came to be.
I sent word out to a bunch of friends and acquaintances I knew with kids aged from babies up to kindergarten age and asked who all was interested.
We ended up with 11 people!
Everyone made 11 of their particular project and then we met and swapped.
It was a success and we ended up doing a second round a couple weeks later with 16 people!

Here are some of our activities:


Color Match Push
Push the different colored pipe cleaners through the corresponding colored hole


Lacing Cards

Felt Cupcake Decorating

Colored Pasta Stringing


Puff Ball Sorting w/ Tongs & Ice Cube Tray & Worksheet


Button Snake
Ribbon, felt shapes and buttons


ABC Tiles & Cards


File Folder
































Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Play Set
Magnetic cookie sheet w/ print out of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree, then magnetic letters to practice hanging and falling from tree.

Felt Snowflake Builder

Pipe Cleaners & Beads

Chalkboard
Clipboard painted w/ chalkboard paint on both sides

Popsicle Stick Puzzle

Stay tuned for part 2 of this post...
more ideas!!!


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14 comments:

Vicky @ Mess For Less said...

What a great way to get some fun activities for little ones. I am a new FB follower from Show Me What Ya Got. Vicky from Mess For Less

Amy said...

I am loving mine! Thanks for organizing it :)

Rachel said...

Thanks for sharing these fun ideas. I'm going to have to make some (or all) of them soon.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

Lindsi B said...

These ideas are fabulous! I love the creativity and fun you packed into the activity package.
Will you please share this with my readers for Fun Stuff Fridays?
http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/11/introducing-fun-stuff-fridays.html

sstone said...

I've seen a couple of these, and I absolutely LOVE the idea. It's so much fun!
PS. I also take food for my daughter.;) I try to hold out, but sometimes I can't.:)
Shiloh
everydaygameplan.net

Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories said...

Loving these activity reminders (and a few new ones, too!) Thanks!

Emily Thompson said...

great ideas! we are preparing for a 15 hour flight home for christmas with two small ones. Thanks for all the great ideas!

Rach H @ FamilyEverAfter said...

LOVE your idea, not only for the actual project, but for swapping with your friends. so fun. Thanks for linking last week to Once Upon a Weekend! You're being featured tomorrow night!

ps- i pop on your blog all the time, but now i'm an official follower!

LoeLaLoep said...

Heidi, first of all: you have such a beautiful name ;)

I love the idea of a bag swap, read about it on another blog too.

Yesterday I made a printable puzzle (you can download it on my site), that would fit so well with this idea! Unfortunately I don't know that many people with kids at the same age as my littlest girl :(
But well.... I use all nice ideas for her alone so she doesn't have to miss anything ;)

Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet Home said...

I am so making these. Thank you for the fantastic idea.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Organizing a swap? Pure genius! And each busy activity looks like a lot of fun for a little one. My son is almost to the stage where these things would work for him. I should start making things now so I will have them on hand later. Or better yet? Organize my own swap!

Unknown said...

You are not the only one :-) I have the emergency stash of jelly beans in my purse.

What a beautiful idea!

Thanks so much for sharing at Pin'Inspiration Thursday. :-) Would love for you to pop by and grab a button.

Happy new follower.

Cindy DG said...

Hello! We are organizing a preschool busy bag swap via US mail. Not sure if you are up for another one! We will be holding some in the future, if you can't make this one :)
Cindy

Sign here up: :) http://vegetarianmamma.blogspot.com/2012/02/preschool-busy-bag-swapsign-up-is-open.html

EasyWayFinder said...

Loving these activity reminders (and a few new ones, too!) Thanks! Easywayfinder

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