Can't think out of the box? Have a kid!

Happily kid free, but have a friend's tots coming over?
Have kids, but they're bored with all the typical toys?

No worries! Here's a list of everyday items you probably have lying around that will provide hours of enjoyment for kids of all ages!

1. Empty water bottle, soda bottle, juice bottle (you get the picture - might want to make sure they're plastic though). They can be thrown (great while in the car) and they have no predictable bounce. Hilarious for kids. Cheap for you! Most importantly - NOT painful if you're "accidentally" hit in the head!

2. Blanket - just leave it piled up on the couch. Fun to pull, chew, hide under, and drag around. This will give you at least 30 minutes.

3. Cat toy (wand with a feather thing at the end) - great to carry around and hit the cat with (especially if your cat doesn't run and hide at the first ear piercing squeal) or you or the other kids or the wall. However, as a responsible mom, proper supervision required.

4. Spatula - nice rubbery type end for chewing or sliding under a piece of furniture.

5. Cell phone - all those little buttons to push AND sounds. Toddler's dream, however, the exorbitant amount of baby saliva could damage your phone (In case this happens, pull all the pieces apart and shake vigorously).

6. Empty spice bottle - perfect size for those chubby little hands. Makes a lot of noise when hit against the wall, table, tile floor, tv (don't tell Kelly).

7. Pillows - you know, those smaller ones at the ends of your couch. Pile them on the floor; they're like magnets for the wee ones. Fun to flop on, roll over, and hide under.

8. All the tubes in your shower - face wash, exfoliating scrub, deep conditioner - forget the duckies in the bath, just throw in the clearasil. It even bobs around in the water. NOTE: you may only use these until the little munchkins figure out how to open the tops. The cleaning up might outweigh the reward of an occupied toddler.

9. Shoes with laces (most fun while on someone's feet) - good to untie and yank on. Option 2: light enough to be carried around and dropped somewhere else (the game is for you to find them) Advantage: your toddler is practicing walking!