Play doesn’t need to involve expensive toys

Your child’s favourite toy is you. Children learn best from interacting and playing with the most important people around them. When you spend time playing with your little one, they’re learning how to communicate, problem-solve, self-regulate and practice new skills over and over again in a fun way.

Often when a child has their first birthday, new parents are surprised by the fact that the child is more interested in the boxes or the wrapping paper than the present. Children don’t need expensive toys and often simple everyday objects like a cardboard box or the washing basket with a little imagination can be turned into anything: a boat, a car, a rocket ship.

Household items make great interactive toys

Try these ideas for using everyday items around your home to make toys your child will love:

• Using cups for stacking
• Dancing and singing to music with scarves
• Building a cubby with a blanket and snuggling up to read a story
• Making music with pots and pans

You and your little one might like to explore your cupboards to see what other play treasures you can discover.

Playing with your child is the perfect way to spend time talking, singing and learning together and best of all it’s great fun.

More ideas for activities with everyday objects

• The Corner at Home | In the kitchen
• The Corner at Home | Making ephemeral art