What “home-grown” toys are best?
As you view the whole world as a bottomless toybox, here are some tips to consider: • Search for items of different weights, materials, textures, flexibility, sizes, shapes, colors and smells. (Most store-bought baby toys are primary-colored plastic; that’s why your metal keys on a leather key ring are so very appealing — they’re different!) • Babies are generalists. Your little one will apply what he learns from one object to any other that is similar. Therefore, don’t give him an old book or magazine to scribble in unless you want all of your books to be potential notepads. A sealed bottle may look fun, but your baby may then think he can play with your pill bottles. • Take a closer look at the things you consider “trash.” Some may be valuable toys! Empty boxes, egg cartons and tin containers are just a few examples of everyday castoffs that, once cleaned, can provide endless hours of play. Parent tip: “I made a great set of blocks for my daughter by collecting an assortment of empt
