Skip Black Friday: Fun & Sustainable Ways to Keep Kids Busy with Things You Already Have at Home
With Black Friday fast approaching, the ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deals are set to tempt us with new toys, gadgets, and games for our kids. But here’s a sustainable twist: instead of buying more clutter that will lose its sparkle faster than we can blink, tap into your homes’ hidden treasure troves instead! Repurposing everyday items in fun new ways will not only save you money, but also reduce waste and teach children that creativity and fun can come from what we already have.
We’ve listed some of our favourite ways to entertain the little ones without having to spend a single penny below. Have fun!
1. DIY Indoor Obstacle Course
Transform your living room into an adventure zone! Use pillows, blankets, chairs, and anything soft to create an obstacle course. Think "Couch Mountain" and "Table Tunnel." This activity is perfect for burning off some energy while improving balance and coordination. For an added twist, use a timer to see if your kids can beat their personal records! No packaging or new materials in sight.
What you’ll need: Pillows, blankets, chairs, stools, and a bit of floor space.
2. Sock Toss Game
Sock basketball, anyone? Roll up socks into little balls, set up a few laundry baskets or buckets at various distances, and you’ve got a game! Assign points to each basket based on difficulty. You can even turn this into a friendly competition to see who can score the most points. This game helps build hand-eye coordination, and your precious breakables will stay in one piece!
What you’ll need: Old socks, laundry baskets, buckets, or bins.
3. The Magic of Cardboard Boxes
Don’t throw that box away! Cardboard boxes make fantastic play props - they’re playtime magic brought right to your door. Transform one into a spaceship, a puppet theatre, or a car and dig in to your craft box to decorate to your hearts content! What’s more, when playtime’s over, the box can be recycled!
What you’ll need: Large cardboard boxes, crayons, markers, tape, and any leftover art supplies.
4. Home Treasure Hunt
Turn your home into a treasure map using objects you already have! Draw a simple map or jot down clues, then hide small “treasures” like toys, treats, or even handmade tokens around the house. This activity taps into your child’s problem-solving skills, and when you’re finished, no single-use materials are left behind.
What you’ll need: Small toys or treats, paper for the map, and a marker.
5. Kitchen Science Lab
Make use of pantry staples for some easy and educational science experiments! Try the classic baking soda and vinegar volcano, create “slime” with cornstarch and water, or even do a “dancing raisins” experiment. Your kids will be fascinated by the reactions, and you’ll get a kick out of seeing them feel like little scientists!
What you’ll need: Common kitchen items like baking soda, vinegar, cornstarch, food colouring, etc.
6. Sock Puppets and Puppet Shows
With a few stray socks and simple household accessories (like some old laces, buttons or paper), you can make adorable puppets. Let your kids design their characters and stories! Not only does this encourage creativity, but it also gives new life to items that might otherwise be thrown out, adding a sustainable twist to story time. Fun for everyone
What you’ll need: Old socks, markers, buttons, googly eyes, paper, and glue or tape.
7. Paper Towel Roll Marble Run
Upcycle those paper towel or toilet paper rolls! Use masking tape to tape them together on a wall or piece of cardboard to create a quirky marble run. This homemade “engineering” project introduces kids to concepts like gravity and momentum, all while making use of recyclable materials.
What you’ll need: Paper towel or toilet paper rolls, tape, marbles (or small balls), and a piece of cardboard.
8. DIY Story Time
Encourage storytelling with a fun twist: have kids create a story using random household objects as inspiration, or take turns adding to a tale line-by-line. You can use an old deck of cards, dice, random toys found on your treasure hunt or just your imaginations. This is a great way to build language skills and imagination, and you might end up with some hilarious tales!
What you’ll need: Imagination, a few household objects (or old playing cards), and your child’s storytelling spirit.
This Black Friday, let’s show our kids that fun doesn’t have to come in plastic packaging or shiny boxes. By repurposing and reimagining, we not only have a blast but also reduce waste and take a small step toward a more sustainable future.
