Making a Busy Box

Busy Box

Dempsey was a 13-month old curious little creature. He always seems to be getting into things. Everything, in fact. Whether he is trying to crawl into the dish washer, pulling on (or trying to escape through) the baby gate at the stairs, terrorizing the kitties, splashing in the kitties’ water bowl and trying to eat their food, turning off the TV, turning on the TV, commandeering the remote to increase/decrease volume and change channels (all while giggling maniacally), throwing things in the toilet, playing in the curtains, acquiring most of my cooking utensils and just being ornery in general, you get the idea that he is a capable and busy little boy.

Thanks to Pinterest and my colleagues at the Francis Institute, I had some great resources to draw from for ideas and age-appropriate activities.

Busy Box Ideas to include:

Family Flash Cards

Family flash cards (laminated wallet size pictures of the family
Nesting cups (I went to Dollar Tree and got some measuring cups)
Easter Egg (He likes working his fine motor skills to open these. Plus who doesn't love hide and seek?)
Bouncy Ball (they love to chase these around the house!)
Empty plastic food container (He really likes opening/closing the lid. Especially if there is a treat inside - ours had Cheerios, M&Ms and marshmallows. Don't judge me on my not so healthy treat...)
Filled exploration bottles (empty water bottle filled with sand and little things to spot)
Stress ball (balloon filled with flour or play dough)
Spatula (he's commandeered most of my kitchenware...)

In and Out Container

In and Out Container - This little gem is an upcycled Kool-Aide container. I wrapped it in pretty wrapping paper and covered it in packing tape to give it that laminated look. Little D can take the lid off and also work on his small motor skills getting the pipe cleaners in the holes I drilled in the top.










This is my little man having a ball with his busy box! Thanks to my subscription to BHG, I got the great idea to cover an old shoe box with an old map. That way when he's not playing with it, I can put it on a shelf and it would look like a nice little box, rather than a box with a bunch of toys hanging out of it.

Dempsey and his busy box

Bottom line: use your imagination. Anything that will occupy your little one will work. I'm a "use what you've got" kind of gal, so I like making things for my little guy. Good luck!

-Morgan

Owl pillow

First of all, this may or may not be an actual pillow... more of a stuffed pet if you are not an adult.

 I had made this for my niece and she loved it, carrying it around everywhere (even by her teeth, much to her mother's dismay). A friend saw it and insisted she needed one as a throw pillow for her bed. 

And so the story begins... 

You will need: 

Fabric - two differing pieces - use some scraps!

Felt - for eyes (white), beak (golden) and feet (brown or black) 

Buttons - for eyes, unless you would like to just use felt for those.

Polyfill - for a plump little owl vs. a flat one.

 
 

Step one: Find pattern from online source or make your own. I found one at Toad's Treasures (not this one, but a larger pattern) but Googling it always works.

Cut out material pieces and pin contrasting belly fabric. It's optional to have this piece, but its nice for some personality.

 

Step two: Stitch on your felt rounds (I traced the bottom of a spool). I like to use a golden color that matches the beak.

 Step three: Sew on the button eyes in the middle of the felt round. Buttons are optional, I started using a smaller black felt round, but opted for the button this time. IF you use the felt round, stitch it just like you did the white round. It will look cute either way!

 

So, his eyes are on, now we are ready to sew on the beak! Having the belly and eyes in place helps you decide where to put the little beak.

 Step four: Sew on the beak. It will just be a little triangle felt piece.

 Step five: Zig Zag the belly a couple of times

 I zig zagged all the way around, but just straight stitched the bottom, as I thought it was easier that way.

  Step six: Sew the owl inside out with little feet pinned in. LEAVE a GAP at the bottom to turn the owl right side out and stuff the little guy.

 Step seven: PLEASE EXCUSE THE REVEALING PICTURE BELOW! :)
This is what the bottom will look like with the gap once the owl has been stuffed with polyfill.

 Step eight: hand stitch the bottom part together any way you see fit.

  Step nine: Optional. The wings are not necessary... just an added little perk. Cut four triangles and sew them together for the wings and stuff. You will then stitch them on the bird body.

TA DA!