50+ Ideas for Repurposing Items for Play

If you have been a regular reader at Mess For Less then you know I am somewhat frugal. I hate to spend  lots of money on things to entertain and teach the kids. I try to find items I already have around the house to use in new and unexpected ways to create memories and fun. I am hoping after browsing through these Ideas for Repurposing Items for Play, you will be inspired and look around your house and for items you can use for play.

Ideas for Repurposing Items for Play

1. Counting Game with Buttons and Muffin Cups  From Mess For Less
2. DIY Microfiber Cleaning Slippers  From Housing a Forest
3. Sidewalk Chalk Paint  From Train Up A Child
4. Sponge Bowling with Word Families  From Toddler Approved
5. Shower Sponge Painting  From Learn With Play at Home
6. Snowflake Valentine’s Craft using Coffee Filters  From B-Inspired Mama
7. DIY Magnetic Chalkboard  From Growing a Jeweled Rose
8. Rainbow Bubble Snakes  From Housing a Forest
9. Swimming Pool Scrabble  From Toddler Approved

10. Cat Craft from Mess for Less

11. Faux Tie Dye Spring Window Flower Display  From Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
12. Exploring Michelangelo with Preschoolers From Rainy Day Mum
13. Birthday Party Playdough  From Mess For Less
14. Painting With Jelly Beans  From Housing a Forest
15. Building with Spices  From Toddler Approved
16. Playdough Imprints Texture and Pattern  From Learn With Play at Home
17. Snowflake Drop Baby Activity  From B-Inspired Mama
18. 3 Ideas for Straw Games and Crafts  From Mess For Less
19. Stamping Dice  From Housing a Forest
20. Sponge Tower Time  From Toddler Approved

21. Gooey Flour Fun  From Learn With Play at Home
22. Paint a Tree with Q-Tips  From Mess For Less
23. Comb Painting  From Learn With Play at Home
24. Paper Bag Donkeys  From Mess For Less
25. Ivory Soap Experiment  From Housing a Forest
26. Counting and Sequencing with Peas  From Train Up A Child
27. Building with Books   From Learn With Play at Home
28. Cup Stacking  From Housing a Forest
29. Painting Rainbows with Marshmallows  From Train Up A Child
30. Make a Cereal Bracelet  From Learn With Play at Home

31. Tracing with Yarn  From Mess For Less
32. Tinfoil and Sharpies  From Housing a Forest
33. Paper Plate Dino Craft  From Train Up A Child
34. Credit Card Art  From Housing a Forest
35. Peppermint Oatmeal Sensory Play  From Train Up A Child
36. Painting with Seasoning and Spices  From Learn With Play at Home
37. Hot Glue Crayon Rubbings  From Mess For Less
38. Making Flowers with Scrubbing Sponges  From Mess For Less
39. Yogurt Spice Sensory Play  From Train Up A Child

40. Dripping Salt Painting  From Mess For Less
41. Using Empty Paint Bottles for Sensory Play  From Train Up A Child
42. Dry Erase Tiles  From Housing a Forest

43. Toddler Sewing Activity  From Housing a Forest
44. Painting with Pool Noodles  From Train Up A Child
45. Easy Homemade Faux Lava Lamps for Kids  From Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
46. Glowing Jello  From Train Up A Child
47. Tie-riffic Fun with Twist Ties  From Learn With Play at Home
48. Nail Polish Art  From Housing a Forest
49. Toilet Paper Knockdown  From Mess For Less
50. Fine Motor Work with Golf Tees  From Mess For Less

51. Elastic Band Launchers  From Housing a Forest
52. I Did It All for the Cookie Tray  From Mess For Less
53. Penguin Sensory Bin  From Train Up a Child
54. Q-Tip Painting and Number Learning  From Learn With Play at Home
55. Colored Rice Sensory Play  From Train Up A Child

56. Soft Toy Toss  From Learn With Play at Home

57.How to Dye Q Tips for Play and Learning From Mess for Less

58. Fall Diorama with Cereal Box From Mess for Less

59. Suncatcher Craft From Mess for Less

I hope you got some ideas for using items that you already have at home to entertain and educate your kids. These ideas for repurposing items for play are just the start. Let me know your favorite ways to reuse common items.

If you are looking for more fun ways to engage your kids, I highly recommend KiwiCo. As a former teacher, I was really impressed with the quality of materials found in KiwiCo. Some moms have told me that they want to do activities like I do on Mess For Less with their kids, but they just don’t have to the time to go buy all the supplies and prepare them for the activity. KiwiCo is the perfect solution. Every month your KiwiCo will focus on a particular theme like Colors, Dinosaurs or Gardening. KiwiCo offer a variety of projects ranging from crafts, imaginative play, science experiments and more.