Heavenly Homemakers

Encouraging women in homemaking, healthy eating and parenting

  • Home
    • About
    • FAQs
  • Recipes
    • Bread and Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dairy
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes and Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Gluten Free
    • Instant Pot
    • Crock Pot
    • Heavenly Homemaker’s Weekly Menus
  • Homemaking
    • Real Food Sources
  • Store
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • Simple Meals
  • Club Members!

What Kids REALLY Like to Play With

April 30, 2008 by Laura 22 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Although my kids are pretty well past this phase (you know, since my littlest boy is the big THREE years old)…anytime I babysit for a littler guy, I’m reminded of how much they’d really rather play with anything BUT a toy!

Place a full basket of wonderful, colorful, super fun toys in front of a baby…and he’ll crawl away to play with….

1. The trash can

2. Everything that’s in the trash can

3. Your important papers

4. The telephone…and all it’s buttons

5. A kleenex box  (which, of course, includes pulling all of the kleenexes OUT of the box)

6. The toilet plunger (freshly used)

7. The remote control

8. Daddy’s dirty shoes

9. His own socks (which of course, go directly to his mouth…making them too soppy to put back on)

10. Anything that has a wire attached to it and is coming out of a wall

11. All of the clean laundry that you JUST finished folding

12. Your favorite dish from your great grandmother

13. A permanent marker (any color will do)

Unfortunately…I could go on and on…

Kinda makes you re-think how much money you should really spend on a birthday gift. :)

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Thursday Thirteen

Comments

  1. AnthonyNorth says

    April 30, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Don’t I just know it :-)
    This is so true.

    Reply
  2. Comedy Plus says

    April 30, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    I so remember. It’s always been this way. These are the same things my son did when he was little, and he will be 38 his next birthday. Nothing has changed. Thanks for the smiles. Have a great TT. :)

    Reply
  3. SJ Reidhead says

    April 30, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Poodles do the same thing, trust me!

    SJR
    The Pink Flamingo

    Reply
  4. SandyCarlson says

    April 30, 2008 at 6:42 pm

    Yup. We really have the best toys–we just call them dusters and mops!

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    April 30, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    That reminds me of my son at/around age 1 (he now is almost 7). However, I have a 5 month old who will be filling those shoes sooner than I would like. :)

    Reply
  6. Suprina says

    April 30, 2008 at 6:53 pm

    Oh this sounds SO familiar. I have trouble with my almost 4 year old marking on himself with a black sharpy…

    Great List!

    Happy T13!

    Reply
  7. Niki says

    April 30, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    My little guy is 10 months old and this was so funny and I can relate. He is obsessed with phones and remote controls.

    Reply
  8. Anne says

    April 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    My son is also obsessed with phones and remotes — and the toy versions just won’t do. Plastic containers, 1 liter plastic soda bottles, pot lids and the cat are among his favorite “toys.” The real ones? Meh, doesn’t touch ’em.

    Reply
  9. meju says

    April 30, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    Loved your list…I remember when my oldest was a baby we used to threaten to give her boxes and papers for gifts, a s she seemed to prefer them.

    Reply
  10. Bethany says

    April 30, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    Isn’t it so true?!! Great list, happy TT!

    Reply
  11. Dane Bramage says

    April 30, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    What is it with pots and pans? They love to open the cupboard door and pull them all out. Bang them and put them back. Repeat.

    This week is my Thursday Thirteen #78. It is unthemed but I think it is still good. 13 things I might get with my incentive check Stop by if you get a chance.

    Reply
  12. On a Limb with Claudia says

    April 30, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    Now isn’t this the truth! Being the fabulous aunt to everyone, I’m amazed at how parents fill bins with toys while their kids play with hairbrushes. Great post! :)

    Happy TT!

    Reply
  13. Jeanette says

    May 1, 2008 at 2:35 am

    Great list…sounds just like my GRANDsons LOL!

    Reply
  14. Becky@BoysRuleMyLife says

    May 1, 2008 at 5:07 am

    My kiddos love boxes! A few months ago we purchased a new oven (mine DIED!) and the box is still in our living room. First it was just a box for them to play in like a fort on it’s side. And then it was a box for discipline – we’d put it upright and put them in it they couldn’t get out or see out! (Of course I’m kidding about the discipline thing… they loved being in it upright!)

    About two weeks ago we cut a door and window into it. It’s been an ice cream shop a house, you name it. The corners are starting to get bent out of shape so my husband tapes reinforcements to the edges!

    They love that box and it only cost the price of an oven! :)

    Reply
  15. Christina says

    May 1, 2008 at 7:07 am

    Amen!!! Great list!

    Reply
  16. Judi says

    May 1, 2008 at 8:28 am

    Life is really so simple. We just keep trying to make it more confusing lol

    Reply
  17. Laura says

    May 1, 2008 at 8:59 am

    I would add boxes…any boxes, full or empty, and tubs of diaper wipes…pulling each and every one out, and spreading them around the house! GREAT list!

    Reply
  18. Marie says

    May 1, 2008 at 10:36 am

    My daughter used to dump out the make-up bag that houses her hair accessories! Oh and don’t forget the rolls from wrapping paper. I think I still have a few roaming the house from christmas.

    Reply
  19. Debbie says

    May 1, 2008 at 10:56 am

    Enjoyed my first visit. Great 13!! Lipstick and any empty box are also high on their lists.

    Reply
  20. Natalie says

    May 1, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Great T13! Mine last week was “Why my son thinks his name is James Norley NO SIR!” Totally goes with your T13! Oh and you forgot the dog/cat food and water bowls, the toilet bowl and unrolling the toilet paper! :-) Just glad to hear that others really do feel my pain!

    Reply
  21. Celticlibrarian says

    May 1, 2008 at 3:18 pm

    Who needs the toy when you can play with the box?

    Reply
  22. Michelle says

    May 1, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    Have you noticed that kids appear to enjoy the box more than the contents as well? The bigger the box, the better. :D

    Great list.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Join Our Community!

 Facebook Twitter E-mail Instagram Pinterest

Popular Posts

~ Will All of the Real Moms Please Stand Up?
~ Easy! Stir-and-Pour Whole Wheat Bread
~ How to Make Gatorade
~ 31 Real Food Breakfast Ideas
~ Dear Teenage Girls...
~ When Mom Takes a Step Back
~ The Inexpensive Health Insurance We Love!
~ Let's Talk Real Food Grocery Budgets

Check out our latest posts!

  • Big Family Food and Fun: April 19-25, 2026
  • Big Family Food and Fun: April 12-18, 2026
  • Big Family Food and Fun: April 5-11, 2026
  • Big Family Food and Fun: March 29-April 4, 2026
  • My 2026 NON-Grocery Budget Update
Home  ~  Simple Meals  ~  Club Membership  ~  Shop  ~  Privacy Policy  ~  Disclosure  ~ Contact

Copyright © 2026 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in