Costco has great free toys!

I've learned the best toys are often the simplest. We can spend so much money on kid toys, especially these days with all the fancy electronics. Marketing has made us feel our kids will miss out or will learn more if we buy them the best technology has to offer. But, research has shown simple (non-battery operated) open ended toys that encourage imagination really are the best way to help those young brains develop. Many of these toys can be made with a trip to Costco using THE CARDBOARD BOXES!!! My daughter has had more fun playing with the crates and boxes we find at Costco than any other store bought toy. Not only do these boxes encourage her to develop gross motor skills but they also spark imagination and will continue to do so as she gets older. Here are some of the ways we use our cardboard:

Open up cardboard boxes, duct tape them together and use a knife to cut out a window. Its a tunnel or fort.

Cut holes on the top and place near a window for the light to shine through.

Hi Mom! Surprise toys can be lowered into the box from the "sun roof". (no we dont typically let her play with cords)

As long as your little ones aren't too heavy you can cover those half size crates with a blanket and make your baby a little "stage" we put ours against the wall and it turns into a little step. This is great for working on motor skills and a fun place for baby to go and sit.

These light weight boxes are great for carrying, sitting on or in, climbing on, pushing, putting toys into and out of...the possibilities are endless. Please supervise if you have little ones because before you know they will be doing something like this----->

What fun creations can you make with recycled boxes?!