Toys recalled; Now what?!

Q: What with all of the toy recalls of late, our 2 toddlers are left with very few toys. It is hard knowing what to buy, and I don't want to have to end up throwing out new toys. Any ideas?

A: Most American kids have too many toys as it is. Parents often complain that the kids won't pick up their toys, and that they're always strewn around. At least you've decluttered!

Try to resist replacing those toys. Toddlers have such wonderful imaginations, they can turn an old box into anything at all. Why not give them a box of dress up clothes from friends and relatives that no longer need them? Hats are always a hit. Be careful of scarves and belts, however. Kids sometimes put things around their necks, so be close by if they do have scarves, neckties, or anything that could accidentally choke them.

What about oatmeal boxes? Those make cool drums. An oatmeal box and a couple of wooden spoons and they're all set! If you don't have any old pots and pans, pick some up at a yard sale or thrift store. Let them set up a pretend kitchen and cook. You can get a box that is the right height for children and draw burners on the box for a "stove."

There's always the great outdoors! Set up a water area (supervised, obviously), a sandbox, some climbing equipment, some shovels and old spoons to dig with. Some old pans to make mud pies in. Give them some old sheets and blankets and let them make a tent. If they're too small, help them make a tent, even indoors! When my son was young and summer days were too hot and humid, I'd cover the two windows with blankets to make it dark and cool, and then helped him make a tent. He and his friend played that it was a cave and got out all of their toy dinosaurs. Some days they played restaurant and ate their lunch in the tent. Yes, it can be messy. But childhood is fleeting. One day, your house will be clean and the children will have grown up. It happens faster than you think.

Give them some balls of different sizes. Tricycles are good, and a wagon to pull around the yard. Try to think what you may have played with as a child (I know, some of us actually had lead toy soldiers!). Simple playthings that aid imagination are usually the best.

If they have stuffed animals, you can give them a tea set (Pier 1 Imports has inexpensive plain white demitasse cups, saucers, etc.) and let them have a Teddy Bear's tea party. Make some bean bags out of old jeans or other sturdy fabric. Show them how to throw the bean bag into a bucket, how to walk with it balanced on their heads so that it doesn't fall off. Make at least 8 or so bean bags, kids tend to love them. They'll probably come up with other imaginative uses for them, too.

The toy recall may actually be good for America's children. Most American kids have too many toys, and still spend a lot of time complaining of boredom. Once a child has engaged his/her imagination and are free, within safety boundaries, to act out their imaginations, they will be able to entertain themselves and not so prone to boredom. A child used to being entertained by things will likely be impatient and impulsive.

I've given you some ideas, now you can use your imagination to come up with others! Here's a hint: Think like a pioneer mother...how would a pioneer mother entertain her child? Or, how would she have him entertain himself?

Copyright 2007 Julie P. Clark, all rights reserved. Please seek permission to reuse this article. AskMeanMom@gmail.com