Sorry this post is a day late. Our family been busy preparing for Hurricane Sandy.
Today’s guest post is from Thaleia at Something 2 Offer.
Easy Busy Bags & How to Make them Portable
We use busy bags for on-the-go as well as quiet times like during the instruction time on homeschool group field trips. Our bags are 3-ring binder pencil pouches found at Walmart for .97 or most dollar stores for $1. (I waited and waited for them to get clearanced last year and they didn’t. They were just shipped into storage in the BIG BACK ROOM at Walmart.)
Why Fabric Pencil Pouches you ask? Simple. They are much more durable than plastic and have the holes needed to attach them with a 3″ loose-leaf ring. This helps keep them together and easy to grab. They are also easy to attach to Mom’s To-Go-Back or a stroller when on a field trip. I had a set of 3 in hubbies car and a set of 5 in my van. We use the van MUCH MORE then the car so I grabbed those bags to re-do and get ready for this busy Fall and Holiday season.
Our Current Busy Bags:
These bags have become total duds for Lil’ Red. He is 30 mths. old and has outgrown them.
These bags are still very much used especially the lacing frogs. The finger puppets we found at Jo-Ann’s or Walmart. The big kids sometimes use them to put on a show.
The felt fishing game is newly made a couple of weeks ago and a BIG HIT! The puzzles and lids not so much. I will use those for tot trays in the near future.
Our Busy Bag RE-DO:
Little Scientist Busy Bag
We love nature around here so this was a no-brainer bag to create. Plus we own everything and did not have to buy anything. Just a quick trip around the house to gather a few supplies.
The kaleidoscope and the flashlight shown here are rather fat to stick in a pencil pouch. So I swapped them out for these:
The compass came from a Subway kids meal and the flashlight was from 3 yrs. ago at Halloween clearance price .50! It has a fat pumpkin head but that has been thrown away a long time ago.
Mini-Office Busy Bag
What kid big or small doesn’t like buttons and gadgets! These were items we had around the house as well.
Glow-in-the-Dark Busy Bag
We went to an evening nature program that started at 7pm. We were already half way there (planning to stop at a couple stores we do not have in our town) when I realized we DID NOT PACK flashlights, fingerlights, battery-powered glow sticks, head lamps or anything but the 2 little ones in my glovebox! I think this clear pack is super important to point out so that the “glow” stars/planets and “glow” Easter eggs can get charged in the daylight and be ready for nighttime fun. We used the “glow” items in our tent this summer as nightlights for Princess and Eldest along with a white rope light.
Just had to include a glowing picture! The finger lights come in various colors. The battery-powered glow stick came from Walmart or Dollar General for $2-5 depending if there’s a whistle on the end or not. Check after Halloween and they may be clearanced out! The Easter eggs of course were purchased after Easter for 75% off. Just thought they were cool and could come in handy sometime.
Girly Girl Busy Bag
What little girl could resist this glam bag. Items from fast food or cheap dollar store dress-up kits.
Cellphone case, beaded necklaces, mini Carebear, shaped links from Dollar Tree, bracelet and mirror from Happy Meal, and crazy pink glasses from somewhere. All were found in Princess’ old dress-up drawer. I know my 3 yr. old niece would LOVE to play with this on the way to church!
Cars of the Rainbow Match Busy Bag
When I was pregnant with Eldest we bought some hot wheels cars thinking he would play with them. Wrong. He could care less, but Lil’ Red on the other hand love to crash cars down ramps and through paper towel tubes. So I thought a rainbow parking match game would be perfect for him. I even found some street signs as well.
I still need to find a flat purple and brown. We had tall vans that didn’t quite fit in the pencil pouches.
What car enthusiast doesn’t love a good parking lot? I made a free printable to include in this busy bag. Visit my blog and subscribe to email updates to receive the free printable. I would print it on cardstock and laminate for durability. Then match those colors away!
Also, be sure to check out the 10 Busy Bags I Want to Make!
Thaleia blogs at Something 2 Offer, writing about homeschooling, crafting, cooking, raising kids, and frugal living. She has been homeschooling full-time for 3 years and has lots of ideas to share. Stop by http://www.something2offer.
com/ to read about the latest adventures of Eldest, Princess, and Lil’ Red!
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I
guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any helpful hints for inexperienced blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
I love busy bags! Having had two “surprise babies” 8 years after I thought I was done, I’ve forgotten all the ways I kept the other busy when they were little. Thanks for sharing