Now that school has started, it won’t be long before the cold weather comes and playtime heads indoors. So, if you’re like most parents living in a four-season climate, you’re probably thinking of ways to entertain your little ones, and keep them occupied, in the house.
One inside activity that generally is a hit with toddlers and young children alike is pretend play. That’s when little ones imagine they’re princesses, police officers, chefs or anyone else that strikes their fancy (including good old mom and dad).
However, the cost of dress-up and pretend play props can quickly add up. Princess dresses alone can cost you up to $80, and elaborate play kitchens can set you out a few hundred dollars, if not more. So, stocking the playroom with store-bought items probably isn’t the best option if you’re on a budget.
The good news, however, is that there are easy ways to spark your child’s imagination for less. Here are seven ways to save on pretend play props:
Raid your own closet. There’s no one little kids want to be more than their own mom or dad. So, before you give your old clothes and costume jewelry to charity or toss the items in the trash, consider passing them along to someone who will appreciate pretending to be you: your child. From experience, I can tell you that kid-friendly bracelets, old bachelorette party crowns, wallets, shoes and hats work especially well for indoor toddler dress-up play.
Bring out the off-season gear. In other words, encourage your little ones to play with the out-of-season apparel, accessories and gear you have around the house, including both the adult and kid versions. In the fall and winter, this could mean stocking the dress-up play bin with swimsuits, goggles, raincoats, rain boots, snorkeling equipment, sand toys and your other summer and spring accessories. And during the warmer months, hats, gloves and scarves can provide hours of budget-friendly entertainment.
Halloween costumes are your friend. If you have saved costumes from Halloweens past, you’re in luck. They’re perfect for dress-up play, so take them out of storage and into your child’s play area. If you don’t have old costumes around the house, however, you’re not totally out of luck. You can save ones from this coming Halloween, and hitting the sale racks on the day before Halloween, on Halloween day, or immediately following the holiday all are great ways to score costumes for less.
Transform cardboard boxes into just about anything. In the age of online and warehouse shopping, there’s a good chance lots of cardboard boxes arrive at your house. Next time one arrives, be sure to save it. The boxes can easily be repurposed into do-it yourself play kitchens, play boats and pretty much anything else your child can imagine. Pinterest is a great resource for cardboard box transformation inspiration — searches on the site for “cardboard box kitchen” and “cardboard box boat” bring up a host of ideas, with options for the crafty and non-crafty alike.
Turn empty food boxes into play food. Smaller boxes taking up space in your kitchen cabinets and freezer can also come in handy. Instead of stocking your child’s play kitchen with fake food, consider transforming empty food boxes (think frozen meal and cereal boxes, for example) into real-looking food toys. To make the repurposed boxes as sturdy and easy-to-clean as possible, fill them with paper and then cover them with clear packing tape.
Opt for useful play kitchen accessories. Before you buy special play kitchen cooking utensils, raid your own kitchen for kid-friendly accessories (think extra measuring cups, wooden spoons and non-breakable plates) that can do double duty as toys in your tot’s cooking area. And if you’re going to buy any cooking accessories for playtime, make an effort to opt for those that have other uses beyond just serving as toys (such as tea sets whose cups are safe for holding liquid and drinking).
Leverage friends and family. Finally, with the holiday season approaching, there’s a good chance friends and family will soon start asking you what your little one wants as a gift. So, if there’s a certain playtime prop you know your child will enjoy but you can’t imagine shelling out your own money for it, you can always mention the item to loved ones (and you can do the same in answer to birthday gift questions as well).
What’s your best tip for cutting the cost of playtime props? Share it below.
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7 Ways to Save on Pretend Play Toys originally appeared on usnews.com
