Who says you need a mountain of toys to keep your child engaged and learning? Sometimes, the best playthings are hiding right under your nose. Children have wild imaginations, and we can challenge that creativity with household objects.

We’ll brainstorm fun ways to transform ordinary objects into engaging toys. Everything from our recycling to our knickknacks can become amazing imaginary set pieces! 

1. Cardboard Box Building

Cardboard boxes are a tried-and-true, cheap building material. We all have cardboard lying around, so before you send it to recycling, have fun with it!

We love using boxes because they’re so versatile. You can use small ones to make castles, cities, or other landscapes for your child’s toys! Or, you can use big ones to make forts for your little one.

You can also challenge your kiddos to create their own toys out of cardboard. They can use their imaginations to make a box into a new toy. They might surprise you with what they make!

2. Blankets and Pillows

Another classic: pillow forts! Create a plush case or sprawling fort for your little one to explore. Perfect to play, then snuggle up for naptime after.

You can spruce up your blanket fort with fairy lights, stuffies, or movies! The possibilities are endless. It can be a quiet reading space or a place for crazy adventures.

This is a great time to involve your kiddo in building and practicing developmental skills. Blanket and pillow builds are easy, low-mess crafts your child can easily help with. When it’s time to take it all down, it’s a great time to teach your child about cleaning up!

3. Kitchen Utensils

Pots, pans, and wooden spoons aren’t just for cooking! They make fantastic, low-cost instruments. Use durable cooking tools to encourage your child to explore melodies and rhythms.

You can also use your utensils to introduce your child to cooking! Choose age-appropriate tasks like stirring or measuring to encourage an early love of food. Even basic household chores are fun for our children to be involved in!

4. Empty Cardboard Tubes

Yarr! Any little pirate needs a telescope. Cardboard tubes make great props for pretend play. Make them into swords, wands, or canes.

They can also be used as construction materials. Build bridges, marble runs, or mazes to teach your child lots of developmental skills. Get some tape, and you’re ready to roll!

5. Old Magazines and Catalogs

Magazines are treasure troves for collages and art projects. Let your child cut out pictures, words, and shapes to create unique artwork. They’ll practice fine motor skills and creativity while having a blast!

6. Scarves and Fabric Scraps

Scarves and fabric scraps can transform into capes, dresses, turbans, or magic carpets. They're perfect for dress-up and imaginative role-playing. 

If your little one is old enough, you could even practice crafts with fabric scraps. Create little stuffies, hats, or other simple projects to encourage their creativity. And, they’ll learn valuable life skills.

7. Empty Containers

Empty plastic containers, like yogurt cups or margarine tubs, are fantastic for sensory play. Fill them with rice, beans, or water for a sensory adventure that engages a child's sense of touch and sound. 

You can also hide treasures for your children to find! Fill the bin with sand, bury some wooden dinosaurs, and teach them about fossils. 

8. Old Newspapers

Newspapers can become the canvas for budding artists. Lay them out for mess-free painting or use them for papier-mâché projects. For older kiddos, you can play word searches, make blackout poetry, and more!

9. Rubber Bands and Hair Ties

Rubber bands and hair ties can be used for engineering challenges. Build a bridge, create a catapult, or explore basic physics with these everyday items. 

If your child is interested in hair, let them practice on their dolls, stuffies, or on you! It’s an engaging and unique way to practice creativity and motor skills.

10. Empty Egg Cartons

Egg cartons can be repurposed into organizers for small toys or art supplies. They also make great paint palettes or sorting containers. You can also use them to pretend play as farmers or grocers!

11. Plastic Bottles

Empty plastic bottles can be transformed into sensory bottles filled with water, glitter, and small objects. They're mesmerizing to shake and observe.

12. Shoeboxes

Shoeboxes are perfect for creating miniature worlds. Turn them into dioramas, tiny gardens, or even a dollhouse with a little creativity. You could do the same with jars or any other small container

13. Any random object!

Challenge your little one to make a game with any object you can find. You’d be surprised at their wild imagination! Hand them a toothbrush, some string, or silverware, and see what they make of it.

Open-Ended Play is Everywhere!

Open-ended play isn't limited to the latest toys on the market. Everyday household items can ignite a child's imagination, promoting creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. 

If you want to learn more about the importance of open-ended play, check out our post! We break down the developmental benefits, 

So, take a look at the objects around your home, and you'll discover that play is everywhere. It’s just waiting for your child's boundless imagination to bring it to life. Sometimes, the simplest things can provide the most enriching play experiences.