The activities on this aren’t hard to prepare, but they do take extra time or a trip to the store. But don’t worry, they are still super cheap to make. Not all of these are my original ideas. I also got inspiration from Google, Pinterest, etc.

Pipe Cleaner Strainer

Although this activity sounds a little weird and looks strange, it is a fun sensory activity. All you do is take some pipe cleaner and thread it through a pasta strainer. The point of this activity is to have your child pull all of the pipe cleaner out of the strainer. You can make this as easy or as difficult as your child needs.

Scarf Laundry Basket

This activity has the same ending goal as the pipe cleaner strainer. However, you use scarves and a laundry basket. I bought some cheap scarves off Amazon and used one of my old dollar store laundry baskets. All you do is weave the scarves through the basket and your child has to pull them out. This can also be made easier or harder depending on your child. 

Paper Towel Roll and Popsicle Stick Slide

I don’t actually use popsicle sticks for this activity since I keep forgetting to buy them. I have been using pipe cleaners that are folded and rolled small since that’s what I had on hand. However, I think the colored popsicle sticks would be fun since the sticks would have a new texture and feel than reusing the pipe cleaner. All you need to do is tape an empty paper towel holder onto a table, the wall, etc. and your child drops the sticks through the paper towel roll.

Photo Album

I use this activity primarily in the diaper bag or on long drives. I bought a small photo album and printed off pictures of our family, extended family, different animals, and some favorite TV show characters. He loves looking through his picture book and it has helped him learn the names of his aunts, uncles, and cousins who live in different states. 

Hidden Pictures and Toys using Diaper Wipe Lids

This one takes some prep simply because you need to finish a few diaper wipe bags before you can make it. You take the lids off the diaper wipes and glue them to a piece of paper or cardboard. In each lid, you can put in a different picture. For instance, you can put pictures of farm animals and when they open the lid you say the name of the animal and the sound it makes. Another variation is to put flat toys in it like magnets. So, when they open the lid, they discover another toy.

While these activities take some prep, the prep work is not too intense and the activities are fun for kids. Be sure to let me know in the comments of other activities you use!

**Also, check out my other DIY activities posts: No-Prep DIY Activities (1-2 year old), Minimal-Prep DIY Activities