by Raising Children Network

With a little imagination, lots of ordinary things around the house can be turned into creative – and free – play ideas.

Home-made games and toys are a great way to keep your child entertained, and to help them learn and grow. They needn't cost a cent. And they can set alight your child's creativity.

It's easy to come up with ideas for children as they get older. There are also lots of toys and games that you and your child can create together.

Newborns

You are the toy that your newborn most enjoys. Your touch, the sound of your voice, being rocked in your arms and staring at your face is more than enough entertainment for a new baby.

Your newborn will also love being outside in fine weather, feeling the wind, hearing the sounds of birds, and soaking up new outdoorsy smells. Splashing in shallow water or in the bath will also provide lots of fun.

Hold him, sing to him, talk to him and make eye contact with him and he will be learning, playing and getting to know you all at once.

You could play gentle music to soothe him, or make bath time relaxing with a calm atmosphere and warm water, and a warm massage afterwards.

Babies

Once your baby is starting to move around and is more robust, more active play will be a winner – and you’re still the best toy he has!

Your baby will love to clamber over you, exploring and trying out new movement skills.

You can blow raspberries on your baby’s tummy and tickle his little toes.

You can make a toy shaker with an empty juice or milk container – washed, dried and filled with rice, pasta, peas, dried pulses, or even old buttons (make sure the lid is secure to avoid choking hazards).

Singing songs and nursery rhymes and reading books are more great ways of spending fun time with your child. Visit your local library to get really good, free resources.

Fill a bag with interesting textures such as wrapping paper.

You can make a drum by stretching strips of paper soaked in glue (create your own glue with flour and water) across the top of an old tin (without the lid). Once it’s dry, give your child a wooden spoon to bang the drum with.

Toddlers

Your toddler probably loves to ‘post’ things – often into the front of the video recorder! Give your toddler a post box of his own by cutting slits into the front of an old ice-cream container or cardboard box.

Give him some pegs and a peg container, and he'll happily move pegs in and out of the container – over and over and over again.

Cut pieces of cardboard into small envelopes and decorate them.

Make some homemade playdough and build towers and pancakes and trees or anything else that your toddler wants to do. You can make shapes and cut out shapes. You can even just squelch the playdough between your fingers. Visit the Western Australian Play and Learning website for a playdough recipe.

Ice-cream containers make fun dress-up hats. Cover them with foil and your toddler is an astronaut. You can also paste material, fake flowers or pom-poms onto a container to make a fancy hat.

Preschoolers

Show your child how to stuff old stockings with paper or material scraps to make all sorts of creatures.

Make a sock puppet with old socks and buttons.

Fold newspaper into a pirate's or magician's hat and let your preschooler paste on coloured pictures cut from magazines.

Let your child turn old cardboard boxes into toys – a car, cubbyhouse, milk bar, kitchen or whatever he comes up with.

A visit to the local park, a friend’s house or just a walk in your local neighbourhood are all sources of adventure and fun for your child.

School age

Try a family bike ride or camping in the backyard.

Pick up some old fridge boxes from your local electrical retailer and see what your child can do with them. These could be a great cubby, rocket ship or hide-out.

Your child will also enjoy cooking with your guidance.

Have a friend over for the afternoon.

You can turn old sheets into a cubby and supply a picnic for indoor or outdoor fun.

Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website http://raisingchildren.net.au