How to Entertain Your Toddler on a Budget

Having a child isn't cheap, especially with all of the gear required, like cribs and highchairs, car seats and changing tables. Fortunately, toddlers make up for these expenses by delighting in cheap entertainment. A two-year-old is no more impressed by a trip to Disney World than he is by a stack of your old Tupperware. For parents on a budget (aren't we all?), try these 10 toddler-approved activities and save your money for when they start buying into commercials.

Five no-cost ideas

1. Throw open the kitchen cabinets that house the safe and sturdy containers and utensils. Let your little one enjoy being allowed to pull items out or the cupboards for once, and amaze as the activities not only entertain, but teach as well. Toddlers love learning "open" and "close" with cabinet doors, practicing stacking round and square plastic bowls, and playing with a makeshift drum set of pots and pans.

2. Turn on the radio and get silly. You don't have to purchase CDs of toddler songs to boogie with a baby. Children love most kinds of music, and it's your participation that really thrills them. It's also good exercise for both of you. So stand up and "get down" together. She'll love trying to copy your moves. Not a good dancer? That's even better; it's all about the silliness.

3. Play "Where's the Baby?" There's nothing a toddler finds more interesting to look at than babies' faces. Pull out your old magazines or your children's books and ask your little one to point out the babies. Add a little round of peek-a-boo to mix things up. Let your him tear out some magazine pages (or do it for him) and arrange, crumple, throw and delight.

4. Your yard or a nearby park hold limitless excitement and wonder for a toddler. Walk barefoot in the grass, dig a little hole, or collect leaves. Let your child practice jumping in puddles after a rain. Make use of playground equipment or use your own resources, like garden hoses, buckets and sidewalk chalk to create an obstacle course. Half the fun is getting dirty, so put her in old play clothes and relax.

5. Pull out the toy box and rediscover oldies but goodies. Toddlers often forget toys that they haven't seen in a while, so emptying them into the floor is like opening birthday gifts. Plus, most two-year-olds get a kick out of anything they can dump out and put back. Sit in the floor and name items, give stuffed animals and dolls funny voices, and watch the fun unfold.

Five low-cost ideas

1. Make a mess. Depending on your tolerance and how much newspaper you can lay out, you may want to take it outside for this activity. Make or buy play dough, finger paint, fake slime and bubbles (there are tons of "recipes" on the Internet) and unleash your toddler's creative and sloppy tendencies. If your little artist ends up wearing his masterpiece, move the party to a kiddie pool or the bathtub. Getting clean can be just as fun as getting messy.

2. Play dress up. Start gathering useful old items to put in your child's own dress up trunk (read: empty box), like hats, scarves, ties and costume jewelry. Add a few items from the dollar store as you find them to put the finishing touches on dozens of costumes. Great inexpensive finds include tiaras, sheriff's badges, doctor's kits, high heels and boots for kids, and purses. Shop after Halloween to stock up on marked down costumes. Then let your children put on a show.

3. Get out of the house. Parents often cringe at the idea of taking their toddlers with them when they run errands, but when you plan it as an adventure and allow yourself plenty of time it can be a great activity for your child. The most important thing is that you head to the store when you're not in a hurry and it's not vital that you return with any purchases. Get a good start by taking your toddler when she's well fed and well rested. Then spend your trip naming produce and browsing in the floral department. Let your child choose one item to buy on his own.

4. Socialize with other toddlers. Most cities have at least one venue for kiddie entertainment and group play. See is any other parents want to join you. Call the businesses ahead and find out if they have times or areas set aside specifically for toddlers. Many offer discounted admission for non-peak hours and some are free. Places to call include local libraries and museums, indoor parks and inflatables play areas, and even bowling alleys and arcades. The Chuck E. Cheese chain has a toddler area and bowling alleys sometimes have lightweight bowling balls for little ones, plus they can put up the bumpers to make sure your child never throws a gutter ball.

5. Make a lunch date. Give in to the allure that fast food chains have on kids and take your toddler for a Happy Meal. Just sitting inside at the colorful tables is exciting for many little ones. Add to that the prize in the kid's meal (you can ask for toys appropriate for children under three) and the indoor playground if there is one, and you've got a very pleased two-year-old.

There is no limit to the number of things that you can to entertain your toddler that are well within your budget. Just pay attention to what your little one finds interesting and get creative. When your son or daughter grows up and these precious years are gone, there are no memories about the having the latest toys or going to expensive baby-and-me classes. What endures is the bond formed by those times of togetherness.