Busy Bags

I am obsessed with Busy Bags.  The idea is to have lots of little bags pre-packed with things that will entertain and educate the kids.  They have them for all ages and some of them can transition as the kids get older.  You can sign up to participate in an exchange where you make 10 - 20 of the same one and then you get one of each of the ones that other people in the exchange make.  That's never going to happen for me so I'll just make 10 to 20 different ones for myself!!

You can either keep them in the car, take them when you go out or break them out when you want to keep the kids occupied while you do something around the house.  They are also supposed to be cheap to make.  Yes, please!!

I went to the dollar store in Casa Linda today and bought everything you see:

(or don't see since the picture is a little too far away)...Most of the things are for Busy Bags that I will spend the next few days putting together.  A few things are for now - like the shovel, rake, fairy wings and the hoola-hoop!  Katie really liked the hoola hoop.  It has something inside of it so it actually rattles when she shakes it.  She also was attracted to the little pom pom balls in the lower left hand corner.  She scooped a couple in her hands and shoved them in her mouth - so those have had to be put away.

I got bags that have a clear front so that it's easy to see what's inside.  A lot of people use zip lock bags but these are sturdier.  On some of the things that I knew we would lose, I bought multiples and put the extra away for when we need them.  There are things for counting, color sorting, building fine motor skills, drawing, bubble wrap for popping or making noise.  It will be fun to see which ones both kids like, how they use them differently and whether it actually keeps them entertained.

Have any of you ever made Busy Bags?  If so, which ones did you really like?