Do yourself a favor. When preparing for your baby’s nursery or registry, skip the toys. I know this is coming from a minimalist, and you may think it’s an extreme ask, but hear me out. First off, the toys will come. It’s inevitable. Someone in your family or friend group is going to gift you the toys you asked them not to. That’s okay. Your child WILL have toys. So don’t bother adding it to the registry (or worse, buy them yourself.) Because your child doesn’t need a LOT of toys to be entertained.
In fact, if my son Casey had zero toys, he would be plenty entertained in our house! Most of the time, he would rather finagle with a set of keys rather than revisit his close-ended toys. At one years old, he can’t tell the difference between a toy and a random household object. He is equally entertained by both, and learns something new anyway. If you want to stay frugal and raise a child, you absolutely can. I made a list of all the baby stuff we did not buy here in case you want to check it out. Not buying toys will not deprive your child of their childhood. Childhood is within them, no matter what.
After living a life without a lot of toys, I have seen how this decision has helped our son develop at an advanced level. My problem with most toys on the market is that they insinuate a form of guided play. But by tinkering with what’s available around our house, Casey has learned to use imaginative and creative play. He also has learned to be entertained by things other than light-up triggers and sounds. And lastly, I do worry that these colorful, light-up and sounding machines are instilling a sense of immediate gratification and overstimulation that makes kids less able to cope with patience or hinders the development of grit. Plus the fact that it keeps them indoors way too much.
Anyway, here is a list of household items my child plays with instead of toys.
The On-Going List of Household Items Your Child Plays with Instead of Toys
- Keys
- Tupperware
- Wooden Spoons
- Wallet
- Credit Cards
- Purse
- Pens
- Cabinets
- Paper
- Computer Keyboard
- Blankets (as a parachute)
- Pet Food Bowls
- Rugs (again, as a parachute)
- Spice Bottles (as shakers)
- Make up supplies
- Hairbrush
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Piano
- Leaves and Dirt
- Remote Control
- Furniture
- Piles of Unfolded Laundry
- Dishwasher Racks
- Curtains
As for all the money we saved, we use it on giving him experiences. For example, he went on an international trip to Japan! Find out what it’s like to travel with a 6 month old in Japan here!
