TODDLER BUSY BAG IDEAS (on a budget!)

[@jeanlee1911]

I homeschooled 4 and busy boxes are a God send. a wise homeschooler who had 20 years on me told me when I started to homeschool, Everyday is a teachable moment, we are given minds by God and he wants us to learn. that said I learned as much from my kids as they did from me. I also loved the busy boxes because it encouraged my children to entertain themselves without TV. God Bless and I am so happy yall are back.

[@Amydali86]

I tutor preK-6 and I bought some of those little foam blocks/ cubes from the dollar store and all of my pupils love them- I have them count them, graph them, build with them, I turned a handful of them into soft dice- just used a permanent marker to put the dots on. They are perfect for all the kids I work with, because they are quiet, which means when they build with them and knock them down, they don't make a ton of noise-since most kids don't really care about the noise, just the destruction. I have them use them on ten frames, for subitizing, and I have them sort them into colors. Totally going back for more. I like that crazy straw with the felt pieces idea- it's great for children beginning to use their fine motor skills. I like your busy bag ideas- they could also be called quiet busy bags.

[@Zanomi7706]

Oh thank god there are people like you who tell us parents on how to keep kids busy, I have 4 small ones and their just bouncing off the walls!!!! I am going to make these busy bags for them I really appreciate your effort in sharing thank u so much dear.

[@amandacasey8642]

one of my favorite activities is to take shaving cream or hair gel or something gooey in a zip lock bag and have them make shapes/ trace/ color on them. the kids love them.

[@eastcoastamy3181]

amanda casey So they just draw or trace on the outside of the bag with their finger or crayon?

[@WifeofaJer]

one thing I found helpful was to tape it closed. not that it came open on its own, but I don't know left it alone more

[@Mumsiken]

yes my 18 month old figured out how to open ziplock.

[@JuliettePlays]

You can buy laminator pouches and use a hair straighter to seal three edges, then fill the pouch and seal the final edge. It's fun especially for smaller babies if you fill them with glitter, beads and paint :) just obviously keep an eye out as they're playing x

[@CreativeQueenx]

Keisha Burton thx for the idea will def apply it for my babies x

[@Godislove4517]

Love all the ideas. so creative. You can also put magnets on the back of a puzzle for a way to do a puzzle in the car.

[@mariamcsorley5809]

Great activities, one activity that I set up in the classroom is a washing line using some posts and string ( you could use chairs), I then use plastic pegs which is great for encouraging the children's pincer grip and physical development which is great because it is then transferred into their mark making when gripping a crayon or pencil giving them more confidence in both their grip and control. I then use a variety of things depending on the lesson plan or the line of development that I am focusing on, I put out pairs of socks to play a matching pairs game, put out number flash cards to order, this can also be done for days of the week, months of the years, you can also do missing number games for the older girls or get them to count up in 2's, 3's and so on building on their times table. This can also be used to sequence a story a historical event using laminated pictures, its a great visual aid to support learning, and can be adapted to so many areas of learning and ages.

[@nerdydragon7534]

Thank you so much for this fantastic idea, Maria! I will definitely be doing this. So many possibilities.

[@balboathedog]

Great idea for number matching for flash cards! And the wacky straw and felt squares! For stickers and little hands it helps to peel the background of the sticker off so the sheet only contains the stickers to remove.

[@angiem2001]

I also do that for my daughter sometimes :). It's helpful because certain stickers seem extra tricky.

[@sinontech]

Here is the two apps which is the combination of the Education and entertainment for your kids. Just install it play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sinon.brainbuster play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sinon.Kidsbook

[@livejoyfullywell3006]

I loved these ideas! I am not a mama, but I am a nanny, babysitter, and teacher in preschool ministry! These are so helpful, and cheap! I love that, as I am going to start doing the Dave Ramsey financial system in September. I am grateful for the videos you post on this channel. They inspire, inform, and are just helpful. Thank you for sharing these tips and ideas. :-)

[@mannehennessy]

My son is 15 months old, but I think I'm gonna make a bean box for him use the pom poms and pull boxes, pipe cleaner activities, and the magnets with the cookie sheet is GENIUS! I'm gonna try ALL of those!

[@yvetteyasui]

So great that you show exactly what is in your busy bags and busy boxes. I also have a 2 year old and am trying to get her to want to do more independent play. I have so many flash cards and work books and puzzles from dollar tree, but have not organized them into busy boxes so she really needs my supervision when she is working on anything and I need to get her to play more on her own.

[@Maryqc1960]

Such great ideas, I would attach a strap to each of the end rings to make a handle or a little longer to make a shoulder strap and then "T" can carry it.

[@ronnieg2107]

Ok. This is the first time i watch one of her videos and i love it. Ive also started homeschooling my lil man he is 2 1/2 and i love how she's like " she totally got them all wrong" i loved how shes not ashamed to say it. Shoutout to all of us first time home school teachers.

[@dianah8014]

I love these ideas! I'm a new mom and am always looking for easy, frugal, educational activities for my 1 year old! Thanks for this

[@traceyzvirblis4909]

Christine....OMGosh those ideas are AMAZING & thanks for sharing. I'm a Grandparent & struggle for ideas to have on the cheap to play with my 2 grandsons (2years & 4years old). Next month I'm having them for 4 nights & 4 days & these activities will be great, for them & me. I love spending quality play/learning time with them & these look like it'll be fun for all of us. Good job, love seeing what you & Josh come up with too. Been following you guys for over a year now. Double thumbs up & much love from down under.

[@laneecox6571]

Mom of 4 here. My 2 older ones are homeschooling and this is PERFECT to keep my 3 & 4yo busy!!! Thank you!!!!

[@karenbickerton295]

Absolutely fantastic ideas. My nephew has very short concentration levels - he floats from one thing to another - these busy bags are a good idea for when he loses interest so quickly - they might even encourage him to stick with one activity until complete. He has special needs and has SPD one if many syndromes that he has with CORNELIA DE LANG SYNDROME. Being his main syndrome. I intend to make him some of these to occupy him through the days he's not at nursery school. From the bottom of my heart, "I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING... " One very happy aunt 😊

[@masterof4elements826]

I really appreciate parents who fix busy bags for their kids. My mom always did this for me growing up. I was only allowed to have it at church, restaurants, or long car rides. Of course, once I was old enough to have a CD player that kept me quiet. Even as an adult I always carry a notebook with me now. I think it inspired my love for writing.

[@eastcoastamy3181]

New subbie here. I am so grateful for finding you! I have 2 toddler granddaughters (both 2, 4 months apart- ones about to be 3) that I babysit and I've been trying to find things to do during our tone together. Their mommas will give them phones in the car or we have the DVD setup but I wanna be screen time free. I've got a few activities with the pompoms (we take a paper towel tub, cut it long wise and glue it back or tape it to make it more narrow and they can put the Pompoms in the tube according to color, shake em out or blow them into a container, etc). But you just gave me SO MANY new ideas. My youngest granddaughter has an EIT that comes bi-weekly and soon she'll have an OT (they're thinking she might have sensory processing disorder) so I've been struggling to find things that work for her. Just so you know your video just helped a family in serious need. Thank you So much. ❤

[@forhisglory7720]

I love the crazy straw and felt idea, as well as the pom-poms in the pill counter one, too. Thanks for some good ideas...I am heading into a school year with a 6th, and 3rd grader, a kindergartner, a just-turned-two-year-old, and a newborn (due right in the first week of Sept.!) I am already feeling better knowing of some good, educational ideas for my toddler.

[@J0ELLEx]

So thoughtful and creative! You're teaching the kids that learning is fun which will pay off tremendously as they get older. The girls will grow up with a huge advantage.

[@jrcameron7317]

I use busy bags... a Great rip for rings is using an Old Binder inside clasp and it can even be attached to the wall... They are also GREAT for use inside of bathroom cabinets for curling & flat irons as your girls get older...

[@cindyj-g4078]

You're amazing! I used your ideas for my two grandsons before they entered school. Now I'm remaking these to give as gifts to other children in the family. I love that you can adjust the learning style and levels. The teacher in me thanks you for creating and sharing your ideas.

[@raymesguzman1300]

loved the grab bags & also love the plastic boxes.😊 we been homeschooling for a while & I love the new ideas u've given me to kerp my preschooler busy.

[@AuntFruit]

So many awesome ideas! Thanks so much for sharing :) Can't wait for the Homeschooling room tour!!!

[@tayloradams1160]

These remind me of Montessori school activities!

[@angiem2001]

My daughter is a month younger than T and we've done a lot of these activities and she loves them. Thanks for the extra ideas! :)

[@michelenicholls6201]

As a kindergarten teacher I want to thank you for enriching your child’s environment. Too many parents just stick their child in front of a 36 inch HD babysitter! Isn’t it fun discovering and sharing these ideas? It’s like Christmas everyday! Keep up the good work!

[@maqsun2012]

Really great... My daughter is 2 years old.. she can recognize all colours and can speak their names... she knows whole alphabets letters.. and now when I saw ur video I really love it... I will buy some stuff like urs..and will enjoy quality time with my daughter... Thanks really...

[@clumsybugg]

I don't have any kids cuz I'm 17 but I'll definitely make busy bags for myself!! Thanks for the ideas^^

[@jehold2010ify]

For the pipcleaner and shaker activity we used a parmesan cheese container. It's plastic and works perfectly.

[@lisaa2836]

FANTASTIC ideas! Found this, when looking for ideas for my grandson. Thx fir sharing!

[@salmasoliman2292]

I really liked the ideas thank you very much .. I wish that my children will enjoy these ideas..they r 5 and 2 years old ..I liked the Felt fabric with buttons and the food stuff too...thank u ..u r helpful

[@macyruiz3851]

Thank you so much! I have a 21 month old too and this is such a blessing and so helpful. I have needed ideas.

[@reginacarter6064]

I loved all of your ideas:) My 3 boys are grown but now I have 2 grand babies that are 1 and 2. I desperately needed some ideas:) I love the magnetic numbers on the cookie sheet and the shaker with the things through them. Great ideas!!!

[@joannsweeney4435]

I absolutely love all your ideas! I'm a 58 year old grandma with custody of my 2-1/2 grand daughter. I'm so glad I found you.

[@mrsdegaldy650]

This video is a live saver. Just discovering busy bags and am so excited to try them out!!!!

[@DoItOnaDime]

Love you, girl!!

[@itsmaymayalv9354]

Do It On A Dime Hello I am a big fan of you

[@paigeacker3534]

OMG do it on a dime!

[@sleepykoalaz3499]

HIIII 😄😄😄

[@kimlock7080]

Do It On A Dime I

[@amymckee9738]

Do It On A Dime I always watch ur vids

[@jasminepatterson4889]

Wow, that's a lot of great ideas! I'm going to dollar tree today for my little ones. Wish me luck! 👍

[@mamastern]

I LOVE the straw and felt idea!! All great things. I have a 20month old and a 3 year old, so these will be perfect for both!

[@ashleylaqua]

Loved this great ideas I will try some of these with my daycare kids . All the neat stuff you got at the dollar store is perfect .love the pipe cleaners ideas .

[@daizym.8161]

expectation: my toddler plays quietly in the manner in which these things are meant. Reality: toddler throws everything out on the ground and proceeds to scream and throw crayons at people

[@aweirdo8275]

Lol

[@rehannadsamara7342]

I was thinking of the same thing😂

[@dadyarusski4594]

(smile)

[@SRoseBlog]

Yesssss.

[@CirquedJoy]

Lol, same if I give my toddler anything while we're out it ends up on the floor. Duplo blocks seem to keep him content the longest, but he still ends up throwing them. I can't trust him with sensory bins either because he still puts stuff in his mouth.

[@storyofchelle09]

Love! I am always trying to find fun activities for my toddler. Definitely will be using some of these!

[@nooranfaisal3638]

This video isn't supposed to have a single dislike, I mean it helps a LOT and everything's AMAZING!!✨✨✨like if you agree! Let us reach 10 likes please love ya❤️❤️

[@crystaljordan7318]

My kiddos love poking pipe cleaners into jars too! I never had a glass one (sorry to hear yours broke). I always did a parmesan cheese container or pringles can. I colored those sticky paper hole repair stickers to match the pipe cleaners I had and encouraged them to put the pipe cleaners in the corresponding hole (on the pringle lid after punching holes with a hole punch). Take care! ❤

[@angelawall5037]

You can laminate the flash cards use clear contact paper you can use them as a reusable activity.

[@SunShine-yh6hv]

Wonderful ideas Christine!! One of my favorite videos👍🏼👍🏼😁

[@Nicole-dh3lw]

Great ideas Christine! Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@TaylorRaine]

Love this! All great ideas! Stickers were always a big hit around here!

[@HeatherDeMeter]

Thanks so much for making this video! I love all of the ideas and can't wait to try them ALL out with my 2 year old! I think sometimes on Pinterest you'll see an idea and it looks great but there is something about seeing it on video and to know that it really was so easy to pull together. Thanks for another awesome vid! (:

[@erinivins3316]

for the turtle little snack cups you can make a hole in the top and make it a dexterity activity with the pompoms. my daughter absolutely loves that activity!

[@mrs_mooeing]

This is SOO helpful! I'm planning to homeschool also. Please post more ideas about homeschooling :)

[@HapaFamily]

This is soooo incredibly helpful for my 19 month old! So many great ideas! Thank you for sharing!! 😊

[@debtisdum]

You are so welcome! Enjoy making all of these fun things!

[@ThePurpleAlphabet]

Yay! You did a fab job. Lots of great activities that really work. I love the cupcake die cuts. Good idea!

[@CKane-oh3nc]

I am a nanny and am always looking for creative, educational activities for my charges. You have so many wonderful ideas here and clearly have a lot of passion for your work and family. Thanks for sharing! Some of our favorite activities are a rice bin with colored rice, and empty oatmeal container with holes in the lid to push pom poms through, sensory bottles, and I just made a sensory box using an empty diaper box. I spray painted it then put a matching game on one side, various textures of fabric and cardboard on two other sides, added ribbon on those same two sides to create a tugging activity, and the fourth side is covered in felt with pieces for various themes: outdoors, colors, shapes, under the sea, and vehicles. Keep up the great work!

[@ltcartwright1976]

This was SO very helpful! I will be making some things for my 2yo son. Thank you very much!

[@stephineellerbe3526]

if your little ones love water at our dollar tree they now have the "coloring" books that only require water, pick up a small pack of paint brushes to use with the water and another fun activity

[@caroleezekiel6000]

As a former teacher and homeschool mom, I love these! I will be making them for my granddaughter who is 16 months old!

[@Geneva583]

I home school my eight and five year old and I really needed ideas to keep my 21 month old occupied so thanks for the ideas!! I'd love to see more homeschooling videos in the future 😀

[@SweetAndSimpleHome]

We are a home school family too! We are starting year 2! I just posted a back to school organization video on my channel showing some of our supplies. Having prepared activities for the little ones is so helpful! Happy home schooling!

[@10KidsandAGarage]

I have 9 kids , 2 that graduated homeschool, I have 7 at home and will be homeschooling 5 in the fall with twin 2 year olds , we do the bean bin, I love the pine cleaner idea😊

[@caroline4489]

Wow you are sooo creative! Thank you for making this!

[@momphoto121]

Really great ideas however not just parents.. I'm a grandmother and have goodie bags to go..Ty for ones I can add

[@beckybahr7353]

My 2.5 year old just started to like dolls and tea sets. at dollar tree found small tea set that fits result in a plastic container. great for on the go tea party.

[@lizakrahl4776]

so great! I'm a nanny so these are great ideas for me to bring with me to my jobs. Thank you

[@GooGoowa]

You are a super mon and your kids are lucky to have such a loving and caring mother 💕 i loved everything especially the box with the beans 👍🏻 Subbed

[@Stinkerlicious]

I made one of these after watching your video. I have a three year old and it is awesome! Thank You!

[@chocopoli]

thank you so much for these ideas. i have a 14 month old who is fast surpassing all her toys and i have been trying to find alternative ideas for her which dont cost a lot

[@Brycethebeast]

My son loves cloud dough and fuzzy cloud dough! It's just flour and baby oil (look up exact measurements) and some food coloring and to make it fuzzy you add baking soda to the mix and spritz with vinegar. He loves it! Also cooked spaghetti with food coloring to make it interesting for sensory fun!

[@Brycethebeast]

Fizzy not fuzzy sorry

[@tharts045]

This is so stinking awesome! Girl, I'm going to be walking through Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree watching this video picking up all of these items

[@tmusabyimana]

so cool. I've been homeschooling or cyber schooling for 7 yrs now and a busy bag or box would have been awesome. My youngest, just turned 4, is too smart. She has to do "school" so as of now we just do preschool books but she is ahead of where I think she should be so I'm struggling a bit again. But yes, I' will be using some of these ideas for other parents in church.

[@reginacarter6064]

I also love the beans and rice. Getting some this weekend. 💕

[@licoreen]

Thanks so much for all the ideas. My toddler loves these kinds of activities. While she is busy, sometimes I can get 5 minutes to myself; sometimes 20 minutes; sometimes she still wants me right there next to her every second (sigh). :)

[@essentiallykim4286]

The silly straws were mind blowing! Thanks for the ideas.

[@LucyZart]

You can decorate the lid of your food/kitchen box to be a stovetop. Hot glue felt coils and bottle caps for burners and knobs.

[@mrsmagalyg5649]

These are great ideas. I'm definitely gonna try them. Thanks for sharing.

[@adventureswithmena7135]

you are so kind to your kids

[@LynniferC]

These are great! We do shaving cream in ziploc bags or sheet protectors taped together. You can put a few drops of paint or food coloring in, or some glitter or confetti. Press all the air out & tape it to the window or high chair tray and they can "finger paint" with no mess on the bags! 😊

[@bulankatorse]

These are brilliant ideas. I also have a 2 yr old daughter so im really excited to do these actvities with her. Thank you for sharing!

[@thewyatthouse8881]

You’re my hero right now haha I have twins and I’m finding them getting bored easily. This is going to be a life saver

[@MKLMom]

Your ideas are fabulous! My granddaughter is 21 months, and I can't wait to make some of these!

[@clairebattersby6340]

Thank you! These are awesome ideas. I'm researching to occupy a toddler on super long haul flights and I was taking notes through your video.

[@jessicaollinger429]

The bins my littles loved the most were just old (clean) empty spice jars, bowls, etc that she could practice taking lids off and on. Great for motor skills. They also loved the beans sensory huckets, but I must warn ya that we did end up having the pedi remove a black bean from my 6 yr olds ear (yeah the SIX, not the THREE yr old. go figure.) They liked a magnets theme bin where I put some things that were magnetic and some that were not. Also a bin of plastic easter eggs with things in them to take apart and find. or you can have them put a pompom in the matching color egg. Bins of small animals were a hit. Especially the horses and unicorn ones from the Target $spot. scooping cotton balls into bowls or cups. putting colored straws into the matching colored cup. For that one I just colored the color on the outside of a white cup with permanent markers. The one thing I would suggest is not putting loud toys like the metal kitchen pots bc the noise is distracting for the siblings doing schoolwork. my o,Der got jealous of the younger just getting to play (even when we explained that this was the younger one's learning time.) and the older just wanted to play. What has worked best for us is doing some subjects together like bible, science, history, art, etc, and then doing the math/reading/ELA/etc with the older one when the younger takes a nap, has quiet time, or watches an educational video with headphones.

[@kimmiewyckoff3907]

Great feedback and so true with the noisy Toys.

[@steveclark3879]

Love these ideas! I love all of your videos. You are the best mom ever :)

[@LeAnnShines]

This is genius! I've been looking for ideas for my little one! I can definitely see her having a good time with these activities! Thank you for sharing!

[@noravillarreal3944]

omg!!! thank you so much for this great idea! May God Bless you and your family 😃

[@hellobritt2484]

Great ideas! I am going this week to make these. We need something for church

[@ncmomtofive]

Thanks for this. Great idea to help my toddler. You are so creative.

[@bijetakalakheti3136]

Thx so much for this I'm going on a really long trip and I was looking for inspiration:)

[@bougiebabyy3320]

I really needed this video! You just don’t understand. Aurora is my first and I’m so lost on what to do Bc she has sooooooooooo much energy but I’m going to do allll of these ideas thanks ! 😘😘😘

[@victoriawatkins770]

Love the straws and pill box iidea

[@TwoHeartsOneRoof]

Lots of great ideas there!! I need to make some of these for my little dude to entertain him when we are at restaurants!

[@sj8869]

pack n plays are,awesome for a Buck I'm nanny and stock up on them, I looooove the busy bag idea! thank you for sharing I need to make one for my 22month old nanny baby.

[@debtisdum]

+Sarah C Oh have so much fun making these! Your little love is going to be busy! :)

[@learningthroughplaywithkay3597]

As your young one gets older she will be able to thread large beads onto the pipe cleaners, another home activity eye spy you fill a bottle with rise or water and you put small objects inside. You attach a bit of card with pictures of what is inside. Painting with different things like, ear buds, cotton balls and you use clothes pegs to pick them up . X ice paining in also very good.

[@dadyarusski4594]

Awesome Mommy! I work with toddlers at my school on certain days, these are great activities for them. Thank you.

[@nikkiahrenholz4187]

Loved it so much I used it for babysitting!!

[@michelle10261]

hi Christine,That so great for her to do lots of activity,I love the beans its very much like sand play. did you budget for home schooling, or was it from your garage sale. thank you for shering

[@sfeliciano1984]

dollar store shopping tomorrow my 2yr old needs this

[@thisrothtribe3780]

It took me 6 children to have one who draws on everything! Great ideas here!

[@muskndusk]

Some of those toys look easy to swallow or for a very young child to poke in its eye. Maybe they would be better for over 4 years old. The black beans look lethal as a choking hazard.

[@TheGrandmahoney]

I'm so impressed! Thank you for all these great ideas. I will make several for my grandchildren. btw, I also love your flooring....do you know the make and name of it by chance?

[@crownjewels4]

Super creative and fun. Great job ! Thanks for all the neat ideas. Could you do some with older toddlers. 4 older

[@crownjewels4]

And love the fact that u mentioned where everything was from. Nothing worse when you like something , but it's not mentioned where it is from.