Back when Nathan started eating more solid foods, the only pasta he would eat were those pasta Graduate meals from Gerber. I always wanted a way to re-use those colorful lids that came with them. One day, Rich emptied out the 13 oz Folgers plastic container and when I looked at it, it seemed about the same size opening. It's a PERFECT fit! I washed up the container and soaked it to get the coffee scent out. I then started stuffing all the lids in the container. Once it was full, I gave it to Nathan to see what he thought. I am not kidding when I tell you that it became one of his favorite toys. At almost 20 months, he still loves to put the lids in and take them out. If there's one thing I have learned about babies/toddlers it's that the simpler the toy, the more they love it!
I wanted to "spruce" the outside up a little. I made a document in Word with images of shapes of all different colors. (triangle, circle, hexagon, star, etc.) I then attached it to the container with some contact paper. Now, not only does he have a cool toy, but it's also a great learning tool.
If you are looking for a use for your Gerber lids (or know someone who has some) this is a simple toy to make. If you don't make the outside scenery, it's just a matter of cleaning up the lids/container!
Happy Crafting!
This is such a cute idea! You are so right about what ends up being the "favorite toy". : ) My kids delight in playing with measuring cups. These entertain them all day long!
ReplyDeleteI love things like this, good job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful creation! Its funny how much children love simple toys isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI own a small children's consignment shop and we take in toys, too - I've noticed over the past few years that we get in a lot of complicated, noisy, battery-driven toys. Sometimes they are in boxes that have never been opened! The stuff that sells the fastest, though, are the stacking cups, the legos and lincoln logs, pull toys like a duck that quacks or a dog that barks when you pull them, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe complicated, expensive stuff sits there. The (relatively) cheap stuff flies off the shelves.
Can't tell you how many times I've heard "we paid a ton for this and they never even played with it..."!
We should all keep that in mind when birthdays and holidays roll around!
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you soo much for you insight! It's so true! Nathan's favorite toys are truly the simplest ones. So much so that I went simple with my nephew's present and got him stacking cups for Christmas,too!
Thanks again!