Toys that get played with

Have you ever gotten a toy for your child that ended up collecting dust? BabyCheapskate puts together a list every year of "Toys that get played with" months after being received. The list is compiled from hundreds (thousands?) of readers, and we thought it was really helpful in thinking about toys for our daughter last year.

Check out the lists for toys that get played with by kids 6 to 12 months old, 13 to 24 months old, and 25 to 36 months old. Later this week BabyCheapskate will have information on toys for 3, 4 and 5 year olds.

Some of my favorites from the lists include Playskool Explore and Grow Busy Ball Popper (6-12 mo), Fisher-Price Stride-To-Ride Lion (6-12 mo), LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table (6-12 mo), various Fisher-Price Little People sets (12-24 mo), and Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Puzzle sets (12-24 mo).

Do you have any favorite toys that your kids have loved long after receiving them? We will probably see some good sales again this year, as retailers look to get people shopping!

DIY - Resurrection Easter Eggs

When I was growing up, my sisters and I always enjoyed this Easter version of an advent calender. Every day for the 12 days leading up to Easter, you open one of the eggs. In each is a slip of paper with verses to read from the Easter story as well as a prop - a little object that goes with that day's verse.

Last year, my mom made a set for our family, and we are enjoying going through them after dinner every night. Even though our daughter is too young too understand the story, she enjoys playing with the eggs and the little objects.

I've seen places where you can buy a set of these eggs, but I think that making them yourself is so much better! Not only is it really easy to do, it is more special to have unique objects in your set. Here is the set that my mom made for us, along with instructions for how to make your own set of Easter Eggs!

Click here for a printable version of the instructions. Once you have printed the sheet, the verses and can be cut out to go inside the eggs.

The plastic eggs fit in a regular egg carton


and are numbered to make it easy to know which day is which.


Here are some examples of what is inside the eggs - cup and bread

Crown of thorns and rod:

This is a great opportunity to be creative with the little objects, and even change them out through the years as your find new or different ones that work better. If you have any questions about putting this together or what other objects I have in my set, just let me know!