Have you ever noticed that kids, especially younger kids, are more excited about playing with wrapping paper or boxes than the gift that’s wrap within it? When I used to buy toys for my nephew when he was little, I’d always get him two gifts: one “real” gift, and one smaller gift. I’ll never forget the Christmas where I got him a really cool toy boat to use in the bath and a cute blue scarf that I got at the dollar store. All he played with all day was that blue scarf, running around and flailing it behind him.

Here are some great ideas from The Happy Housewife for keeping your kids entertained with items right in your own household. With a little imagination, these common items can become favorite toys for playtime:

Plastic Containers with Lids

A child can be entertained for hours by your tupperware drawer. The Happy Housewife’s toddler is a huge fan:

When my toddler visits his grandparents house, he usually spends most of his time playing in Grandma’s Tupperware drawer. He loves stacking all the different sized containers and matching them up with the lids. Adrawer of plastic containers can entertain a small child for hours! These also make great bath or sand toys!

Tupperware is a great addition to play time. Just make sure you wash them before you use them again to store food.

Flashlights

Kids can use these to great effect when playing explorer, detective, camping and many other imaginative games. If your kids are looking for something to do, give them a few flashlights and a scenario.

Old Remote Controls and Cell Phones

When one of your old remote controls or cell phones bites the dust, just take out the batteries and let your kids play. You might find that they like the “real” version better than their plastic toy versions.

Pillows and Blankets

On a rainy day, there’s nothing more fun than building a fort. Give your kids some pillows and blankets and see what their imaginations can come up with. Then they can play inside the fort when it’s done!

Old Clothes

Use your old clothes to make a Dress Up Box that your kids can go through during play times. Make sure that you add in old hats, costume jewelry, purses, and other accessories so your kids and mix and match outfits/costumes.

Find many more creative ideas over at The Happy Housewife’s 10 Household Items That Make Great Toys.