A Tuesday Tip For Toddlers: Trash or Treasure?!

When I was in grade school in Moorhead, MN a long, long time ago (no need to be specific, right?) there was an annual Trash or Treasure sale. It was basically a garage sale where people turned what was considered to be one man's trash into another man's treasure. It took over the school rooms for a few days and was quite the deal but the school then earned money from the sales. All that to say that sometimes what we find ready for the trash heap is really just a treasure in disguise.

In our basement we have a huge cardboard box (from a dishwasher maybe, who know's, but about that size). Jason found it and had to break it down just to fit it into our home, but once in the basement this piece of junk became a treasure. Seth and Jason have since turned it into a home. It now has a door, with a handle, and windows of all shapes and sizes. There are also a number of strange holes which I have come to learn are from Seth learning to use the drill. Go figure, boys and their power tools!

Seth doesn't get down there to play with it as much now that the snow is finally gone but occasionally when he comes downstairs with me to grab some laundry he runs right over to check it out. On a rainy day last week when I told him it was time to go up he told me, "No stay, work day" and proceeded to pound out some new holes with his hammer. There is this huge draw to his unique and special creation!

What inexpensive things have you saved (cardboard boxes, bottles, etc.) that have become favorite toys or activities for your kids? Please leave a comment I would love to hear your ideas!

Next week: It's Potty Training time in the Johnson house. I will share what I have learned thus far in the process, but want to hear your advice too. Certainly you have some tips for the rest of us, please come ready to share!