Parenting Tips for First-Time Moms: Household Items That Can Be Used as Toys for Young Kids

Becoming a mom for the first time is one of the biggest, happiest, and sometimes scariest things ever. You want the very best for your baby. You want them to laugh, learn, and grow strong. But the toy aisle at the store can make your head spin — and empty your wallet fast.

Here’s the secret no one tells you loud enough: the best toys are already in your house right now. Yes! Household items that can be used as toys are free, safe (when you pick the right ones), and perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

These everyday items as toys help your child:

• Build a big imagination
• Learn new words
• Get stronger hands and body
• Feel calm and happy

You do not need batteries, blinking lights, or fancy boxes. A wooden spoon, an empty box, or an old scarf can keep your little one busy and smiling for a long time.

This super-long guide (over 3,500 words!) is made just for first-time moms like you. We will show you dozens of DIY toys for toddlers, simple household toys, and creative toys at home that really work.

Why Everyday Things Beat Store-Bought Toys Every Time

Babies and young kids learn by touching, tasting, shaking, and banging. They do not care if a toy costs $50 or $0. They just want to explore the world¹.

Experts from First Things First say playing with home items for kid play helps children grow in five big ways²:

1. Imagination – a cardboard box can be a car, a house, or a rocket ship
2. Problem-solving – how do I fit this cup inside that cup?
3. Talking and new words – when you name colors, shapes, and actions
4. Strong muscles – stacking, pouring, pushing, pulling
5. Feeling proud – “Look, Mommy, I did it!”

Read the full expert article here:

Use Household Objects as Toys for Young Kids – First Things First

Safety Comes First – Easy Rules Every Mom Must Know

Before you give anything to your child, check these simple safety rules every single time:

• Nothing small enough to fit inside a toilet paper roll (choking danger)
• No glass, sharp edges, or breakable things
• No buttons, coins, magnets, balloons, or plastic bags
• Wash everything with soap and water first
• Always stay close and watch your child play
• Throw away anything that breaks or gets dirty

Print this list and stick it on your fridge. It will give you peace of mind every day.

The Giant List: Household Items That Can Be Used as Toys (By Age)

Babies 0–6 Months – Soft, Bright, and Noisy Things

• Soft cotton scarves or burp cloths (wave them slowly for baby to watch)
• Clean muslin blankets for tummy-time fun
• Your face and voice (the very best toy!)
• Black-and-white pictures taped on the wall
• Gentle rattles made from a small plastic bottle with a few dry beans inside (seal tight!)5 positive parenting tips every busy mom needs

Babies 6–12 Months – Grab, Shake, and Mouth Time

• Big wooden spoons (safe to chew)
• Stainless steel mixing bowls (shiny and make fun noises)
• Empty oatmeal containers (bang like drums)
• Soft socks rolled into balls
• Fabric books you already own
• Empty tissue box stuffed with colorful scarves (baby pulls them out again and again)

Toddlers 12–24 Months – Bang, Pour, and Throw!

• Pots and pan lids (instant drum set)
• Plastic measuring cups (stack, nest, pour water in the bath)
• Empty water bottles with rice or pasta inside (homemade shakers)
• Laundry basket (push toys around or sit inside)
• Big cardboard boxes (crawl through, hide, or decorate with crayons)
• Old keys on a big ring (jingle jangle fun – supervise closely)

Preschoolers 2–5 Years – Pretend Play Heaven

• Old clothes and hats for dress-up
• Empty toilet paper rolls (make binoculars, telescopes, or microphones)
• Sheets + chairs = blanket forts
• Cardboard boxes of any size (spaceships, ovens, stores)
• Old phones or remote controls (pretend phone calls)
• Wooden spoons = swords, magic wands, or guitars
• Empty egg cartons for sorting pom-poms or buttons

25+ Indoor Play Ideas with Household Items (Zero Cost!)

1. Sticky wall – tape clear contact paper sticky-side out on the wall
2. Painter’s tape roads all over the floor
3. Dry bean or rice sensory tub (use a big plastic bin)
4. Cushion mountain obstacle course
5. Flashlight shadow puppets on the wall
6. Pom-pom drop – tape paper towel rolls on the wall
7. Sponge boats in the sink or bathtub
8. Homemade play dough (recipe below!)
9. Muffin tin sorting game with colorful pom-poms
10. Bubble wrap stomp painting (tape it down and add washable paint)
11. Cardboard slide using a big box and couch cushions
12. Indoor bowling with empty water bottles and a soft ball
13. Cotton ball blow race across the table
14. Recycled magazine collage with glue sticks
15. DIY balance beam with painter’s tape on the floor
16. Ice cube painting (freeze colored water overnight)
17. Sock puppet show
18. Masking tape hopscotch inside
19. Box robot costume with foil and tape
20. Kitchen band with pots, spoons, and shakers
21. Treasure hunt with hidden household objects
22. Paper plate masks
23. DIY fishing game with magnets and paper clips
24. Blanket tunnel crawl
25. Freeze dance with scarves

Kitchen Goldmine: Best Kitchen Items for Kids’ Play

Your kitchen is a toy store in disguise!

• Measuring cups and spoons → stacking, pouring, bath fun
• Ice cube trays → sort tiny toys or freeze colored water
• Colander → funny hat or strain pasta in pretend play
• Funnels → pour rice, water, or sand
• Turkey baster → blow pom-poms or paint with water
• Cookie cutters → play dough shapes or trace on paper
• Empty spice jars → fill with colored rice for shakers
• Whisk → bubble wand in the sink
• Silicone muffin cups → sort buttons or bath toys
• Rolling pin → flatten play dough like a real baker

These kitchen items for kids’ play teach real-life skills while being super fun.15 proven parenting tips for happy, confident kids

5-Minute Homemade Play Dough Recipe (Safe & Edible)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup water
• Food coloring (optional)

Steps:

1. Mix everything in a big bowl
2. Knead with your hands until smooth
3. Store in a zip bag

Lasts weeks! Add peppermint extract for a nice smell.

Montessori-Style Household Toys That Grow With Your Child

Montessori teachers love real objects from home because kids learn practical life skills.

Examples:

• Small pitcher for pouring water
• Child-size broom for sweeping
• Basket of clean washcloths to fold
• Sponge for table washing
• Buttoning or zipping old shirts

These activities calm children and make them feel proud.

Want toys that last for years? Read this great article:

Toys That Grow With Kids – The Strategist³

Real-Life Mom Stories (You Are Not Alone!)

“I thought I needed fancy toys. Then my 18-month-old played with a whisk for 40 minutes straight!” – Amanda, mom of one

“My twins fight over the big cardboard box more than any $60 toy we own.” – Priya, mom of twins

“On rainy days, I just open the kitchen cupboard and say ‘Yes!’ to everything safe. Best parenting hack ever.” – Nicole, mom of three

Budget-Friendly, Eco-Friendly, and Development-Friendly

Using repurposed items for children is good for:

• Your wallet (save hundreds of dollars!)
• The planet (less plastic waste)
• Your child’s brain (open-ended play beats screens every time)

Bonus Tips for First-Time Moms

• Rotate toys – put some away and bring them back in two weeks (feels brand new!)
• Keep a “Yes Drawer” in the kitchen with safe items your toddler can grab anytime
• Sit on the floor and play together – your attention is the best gift
• Take pictures – these simple moments become precious memories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are household items really safe to use as toys?

Yes — as long as you follow basic safety rules! Never give anything small enough to fit through a toilet paper roll (choking hazard), avoid sharp edges, glass, buttons, coins, magnets, balloons, or plastic bags. Always wash items first and supervise play 100% of the time.

My baby is only 3 months old — can I already use household items?

Absolutely! For newborns and young babies (0–6 months), soft scarves, muslin blankets, your face and voice, or black-and-white pictures are perfect. They love watching, listening, and gentle movement.

Won’t my toddler just destroy everything?

They might! That’s okay. Choose sturdy items (stainless steel bowls, wooden spoons, cardboard boxes) and keep anything fragile out of reach. Broken or dirty items go straight in the trash.

What if my child gets bored with the same items?

Rotate! Put half the items away for 1–2 weeks, then swap them back in — it feels brand new again. You can also have a special “Yes Drawer” in the kitchen with safe items they’re allowed to grab anytime.

Is it okay if my baby puts everything in their mouth?

Yes, mouthing is how babies explore! Just make sure everything is clean, large enough not to choke on, and made of safe materials (wooden spoons, stainless steel bowls, fabric items, etc.).

Conclusion: Parenting Tips for First-Time Moms – Keep It Simple and Joyful

Dear amazing mom, you do not need a perfect playroom or endless money to raise a happy, smart child. The greatest household items that can be used as toys are already waiting in your drawers, cupboards, and recycling bin.

Start today with just one thing — a spoon, a box, or a scarf. Get down on the floor. Laugh together. That is all your baby really wants: YOU and a little everyday magic.

You’ve got this. And we are here cheering you on every step of the way.

Question for you: What everyday household item does your child love the most right now? Drop it in the comments — let’s help other new moms get ideas!

References & Helpful Links

1. Tappy Toes Nursery – Creative Toys for Kids: https://www.tappytoesnursery.com/toys-for-kids/ ↩︎
2. First Things First – Use Household Objects as Toys: https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/first-things/use-household-objects-as-toys-for-young-kids/ ↩︎
3. The Strategist (New York Magazine) – Toys That Grow With Kids: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/toys-that-grow-with-kids.html ↩︎