A few years ago, I read an article in a parenting magazine about trash being used as toys for children. Most of these trashy treasures are plastic containers that would end up in your recycling bin, and indeed can be recycled in your little one's hands. My three-year-old's favorites include soda bottles, plastic coffee containers, and boxes. He makes these into any number of things. Why is he holding up that small box, mustard bottle, and coffee creamer container? Believe it or not, he claims that is a camera. The mustard bottle is the part you look in.
If you've never tried this idea, it's a great way to let your little one's imagination run wild, not to mention the learning applications, such as colors (the mustard container is yellow) and size (which bottle is bigger?). But before you get started on going through your recycling bin, here's a few guidelines to follow for your peace of mind and your child's safety.
1. Never give your child a glass, metal, or tiny container.
2. Remove caps and cap rings (that little circle that separates from the cap when you first open a soda bottle or milk jug) before giving them to your child. A child can easily choke on these. And don't assume that if you tighten the cap enough, it won't come open. It's better to just remove it.
3. Remove labels. Yes, labels. Some labels easily come off and shred in the hands of a child. I learned this the hard way. These bits, or even the whole label, are choking hazards.
4. Always clean containers before giving them to your child.
5. If your child still puts things in his or her mouth, do not give anything made of cardboard or paper. These will come apart as your child chews and drools on them, posing a chocking hazard.
6. Do not put small items into the containers, even if you think your child can't remove them.
Don't forget the best part about these "toys." As they wear out and get dented and crushed, as they eventually will, you can simply toss them in the recycling bin and replace them with a newer milk jug, plastic bottle, or box. If your house is like mine, you generate these trashy treasures constantly. So, why not let your child give trashy treasures a try? You may be amazed at what your little one will do with these.
A book I read had a fun suggestion: Using the squarish, rectangular clean, half gallon milk cartons (I use ones from soy milk), cut the tops off and fit one inside of the other to make a hollow, cardboard block. As you collect them, they make some really great blocks to play with.
Posted by: Ruth | December 06, 2007 at 09:23 AM
What a fun idea!
Posted by: Kristina B | December 06, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Love this! When my son was younger we would keep the plastic containers from the Gerber fruit puffs or veggie puffs & would make it into a bowling game. There are kinda shaped like bowling pins. We'd line the them up & roll a ball to see how many we could knock over! He LOVED it! We also kept the tissue box & filled it with scarves for him to pull out. (You know how kids love to pull out all the tissues from the box.) Well, he thought he was making a big mess & doing something forbidden, so he had the best time with that. Not to mention my actual tissues stayed in the box where they belonged with no waste,because he had his own "box of tissues". Best of all it's all FREE!
Posted by: Bliss | December 06, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Wow, Bliss! Those are great ideas. I'll have to keep those in mind when the tiniest one starts pulling things out.
Posted by: Kristina B | December 06, 2007 at 02:57 PM
My two year old loves to go "shopping" with his sisters old grocery cart. SO trashy treasures w ould be a great way for him to pretend to grocery shop! THanks for the idea!
Posted by: Tiff@Three Peas in a Pod | December 07, 2007 at 08:30 PM
See? Recycling is fun. :)
Posted by: Kristina B | December 08, 2007 at 06:48 AM