It’s raining buckets and your child is so bored they are driving you crazy. At a loss for projects to occupy your toddler? Check your technology graveyard (every home has one). You know, that basket full of old chargers, cell phones, wires, and miscellaneous hardware that you kept for, well, a rainy day…
Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
Portable DVD players
Personal home theater, pint-sized, portable DVD players are the perfect device for your child to enjoy in their favorite cozy spot and watch Toy Story for the umpteenth time. Get them set up in a play tent, bean bag chair or even a makeshift blanket fort with tons of pillows and a big bowl of popcorn. Top off the fun with headphones if you’re got em. Your kids will be so excited about the novelty, you may just get an hour or two of peace after all.
Clam Shell Cell phones
There is a reason why your toddler digs through your purse to find your cell phone — it is waaay cooler than the plastic Elmo phone you bought to appease him, and yes, they know the difference. Every home’s technology graveyard has an old clam shell cell phone and probably the charger as well. Give it some juice and let your child enjoy pressing the light-up numbers and pretending to call grandma. (Then, hide your smart phone while he’s not looking.)
First Generation iPod
Upload a library of their sing-along favorites and let them indulge in those oh-so-catchy tunes over and over again (this is where those headphones come in handy once again). Make a game of it — freeze dance, name that tune or even “Hey mom, guess what I’m listening to?” and you may just tire them out enough to warrant a long nap.
Old Keyboards and Word Processors
Basically, anything with letters. Remove keys/tiles and let your kids use them to practice spelling or using a little glue, create crossword collages and personalize their artwork. You can even attach adhesive magnetic strips and let your kids play with them on the refrigerator or any safe metal surface.