Play with Your Baby and Save Hundreds of Dollars

We all fall for the great baby gadgets and the toys with the cute songs and flashing lights but most babies are just as happy to be doing something new, even if it is just playing with a piece of crumpled paper. Here are some great ways (and cheap or free ways) to play with your newborn and even up to a year old or more.

1.Go to area library programs. Many local libraries offer free reading and singing programs on a weekly basis (even for babies under 6 months). And as your child gets older, you can take advantage of book clubs, craft events and even field trips.
SAVINGS - at least $200 per session is what you would spend for an age-appropriate class at Gymboree or similar locations.

2. Take your baby for a walk or on a hike. Fresh air is wonderful for your baby and the multitude of sights, smells and sounds are priceless (not to mention free). You can put your baby in a stroller or carrier. Either way, your baby is entertained and you get some exercise. You can find other moms or join a hiking club if you want to make it a more social excursion.

SAVINGS - at least $15 to $20 per exercise class such as Stroller Fit

3. Use cookie cutters and foam sheets from a craft store and make fun shapes for baby to play with in the tub. The foam shapes will float or stick to the side of the tub. You can by a pack of foam sheets for a third of the cost of a foam set from the store.

SAVINGS - subtracting the cost of a few cookie cutters (assuming you don't already have them) and the foam sheets, you'd still save about $5 to $15, depending on the tub toy set you purchased.

4. Tie colorful scarves together (or cut old pillow cases or sheets, or even better, use a variety of fabrics) and stuff in a tissues box. Baby will love the colors and textures and will enjoy pulling the scarves out of the box and putting them back in.

5. Teach your baby about colors in a fun and free way. You can get paint sample cards from your local hardware store and use them as flash cards or put them in a book or attach them to a display board. You can use a marker to write the color on the card. You can tape a few sample cards together and then cut into shapes so baby can learn shapes as well as colors. Or for other fun, get the paint cards from the Disney paints (by Behr) that have the silhouette of Mickey Mouse.

SAVINGS - at least $5, the average cost of a new baby book featuring colors

6. Use a plastic 20-ounce soda bottle to create an interesting toy for baby. Remove the label and place objects inside such as aluminum foil balls, pieces of sponge, fabric swatches, glitter or sequins. Fill with a little water and superglue the cap on tightly. Then watch your baby bounce and roll the toy.

SAVINGS - at least $5 for all the fancy rattles, even more for the more sophisticated toys that are brightly colored and make noise.

7. Most people have an extra computer keyboard, remote control or phone somewhere in their house. Put it to good use by letting your baby play with the keys or buttons.

SAVINGS - at least $20, the cost of baby pianos, xylaphones, etc.

8. Babies love bubbles. You can make your own for little money but if you don't have the time or inclination, you can get a 6-pack of bubbles at Wal-Mart for about $2.

SAVINGS - at least $4. You can get 3 6-packs of regular bubbles for the price of the fancy bubble maker and one bottle of bubbles from Gymboree. Yes, the bubbles won't be as big, but you'll have bubbles a lot longer for the same amount of money.

9. Buy a medium-sized beach ball. You can usually get these during the summer season at a dollar store or in a superstore such as Wal-Mart or Target. The bright color will attract baby. If you do not fully inflate it, young babies can grab it. Older babies can hold it and later, can roll it and throw it. You can also roll baby back and for on it for a different sensation and perspective.

10. Borrow music CDs and DVDs (such as the Baby Einstein series) from your local library and download to your computer to burn onto a disc or transfer to your iPod. If you have an iPod, you can take the music with you anywhere, but either way, you can save lots of money.

SAVINGS - at least $6.99 for each CD and $19.99 for each DVD (retail prices)