A few weeks ago, my friend, Jill, and I got together with a group of friends to turn items destined for the trash or recycling into fun toys for our babies, toddlers and preschoolers. We had a great time spending the morning cutting and gluing and the kids loved their new toys. In the process, we taught our kids a lesson about the value of reusing items instead of throwing them away.
A couple of weeks before the party, we sent out a supplies list so people would save the necessary items rather than throw them away. We showed up with a good collection of oatmeal canisters, coffee containers, Parmesan cheese containers, paper towel cardboard tubes and magazines. 
Jill provided the glue, glitter and other craft supplies and we turned trash into treasure and hours of entertainment for the kids. Each of the toys is also designed to help the kids develop a certain skill. Plus, they cost next to nothing to make. 
Carson tested out a few of the toys and liked them all.
Anna’s favorite toy is the Straws and Holes game. It’s also one of the simplest toys to make. She gets it out of the kitchen cupboard where we keep it and plays with it at least once or twice a week. 
Straws and Holes
Materials:
empty Parmesan cheese container, label removed
strawsInstructions:
Cut straws to fit in the can. Screw lid tightly onto can. Open lid to side with the holes. Allow your child to problem solve by dropping the straws into the can.Suggested age: 20-28 months
Skills: fine motor development, hand-eye coordinationYou could substitute any similarly shaped, empty canister (eg. a Crystal Light canister) and punch holes in the lid.
Next week, I’ll share instructions on how to make the others toys on the list.
All these ideas came from my local Parents As Teachers program, a free program offered through my school district for parents of newborns through kids up to age three.
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