More recycling.... toddler toys

Who needs all those battery operated toys when you have baby/toddler cool stuff laying around the house! Here are a few homemade toys you can make from stuff you already have. Water bottles become great maracas with bright colored plastic beads in side (be sure to glue or tape cap on for safety). Or fill with colored water and some glitter, buttons and sequins. Empty tissue box filled with square pieces of fabric amuse little ones for a while. And empty oatmeal container with the top and bottom cut out for fun game of peekaboo (I covered mine with bright wrapping paper) . And my little one loves playing with an old phone (with all cords removed for safety). Somehow the brightly colored toy phones aren't as interesting as a real phone with real buttons to push. ;)