Dear New Parents: Ditch the Toys

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Hello, New Parents! If you’re anything like us, you probably fell into the trap of buying adorable toys for your little ones before they even arrived. We grabbed a cozy bouncy seat and a co-sleeper, plus a few irresistible toys—a plush bunny and some stacking blocks—that we knew would sit idle for a while. Friends and family also gifted us an assortment of toys, from wooden puzzles to Matchbox cars.

Fast forward five years and two kids later, and I can confidently say that none of those toys were worth the investment. If I could go back, I would tell my expectant self: Skip the toys and instead, stock your home with these 25 essential items that can entertain your kids for days—if not weeks or years.

1. A post-it pad, perfect for sticking notes in unexpected places (like on your mascara wand).
2. An empty tampon wrapper, transformed into “pirate treasure.”
3. A collection of twigs from outside, creating an artistic installation dubbed the “Blair Witch Project.”
4. Everything from the junk drawer—yes, even the sticky pennies and straw wrappers—captures their imagination.
5. A vintage coin purse, a delightful find from the dentist.
6. A stash of 75 earplugs to fill that coin purse.
7. A ripped-out page from a $30 pop-up book, now a canvas for creativity.
8. Your shoe, which mysteriously vanishes from the closet.
9. Dad’s shoe, causing a delay on date night.
10. A soup ladle, instantly transformed into a magical wand.
11. Your toothbrush, also serving as a wand.
12. Every kitchen spatula and banana becomes a wand too.
13. Colanders become tools for a game of “car wash.”
14. A broken monster truck spring, waiting for a DIY fix.
15. Any item related to your phone—old cases, boxes, and even the phone itself—become treasures.
16. Torn-up paper pieces, also known as confetti, that the vacuum will never catch.
17. Everything in the fridge is a wonderland for a curious toddler; mustard bottles and eggs become thrilling finds.
18. Shoes stored away for a potential new baby—they’ve become a play area instead.
19. The bathroom faucet, a toddler paradise—they swear they’ll never ask for anything again if they can just play there.
20. Except for that quick inspection of the toilet.
21. Rocks, bugs, and yes, even a desiccated squirrel carcass, until someone notices.
22. A turkey baster, an unexpected tool for imaginative play.
23. A screen door, the perfect canvas for creativity.
24. A turkey baster making delightful holes in the screen door.
25. An empty binocular case, which becomes a beloved bedtime companion over the stuffed bunny.

In short, don’t waste your money on toys. Look around your home; everyday objects like kitchen tongs might just become the cherished items you never find again. Instead of tossing out what you consider junk, let it become part of your child’s imaginative play. The stuffed bunny? Forgotten. The blocks? Never touched. But a post-it note? That’s a timeless treasure.

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Summary

New parents should skip the expensive toys and instead utilize everyday household items to keep their children entertained. Common objects can spark creativity and joy in ways that traditional toys often cannot.