Treasure Baskets

So I have a bit of time on my hands and decided to write a list for a few suggestions of items that can go into treasure baskets.

By all means search around your home to find what else you can put in, but don't go overboard with items.

If you find you have loads of items in the same category, consider making 2 baskets, maybe for different areas of your home! Try to limit the amount of items in each basket (5-15 per basket depending on size). Also use a low lying basket so that baby can easily grab out items.


*Remember to always supervise your child when they are playing with the basket

Plastic

• Measuring spoons
• Nesting tupperware
• Small toy animals or army men
• Toothbrush
• Small Calculator or old mobile phone
• Hair rollers
• Rubber ducks
• Mini silicone muffin moulds
• Water bottle filled with coloured rice
• Old CD
• Christmas ornament (no glitter!)
• Plastic lids
• Combs and brushes

Metal

• Jar lids
• Tea strainer
• Spoons (no knives or forks as they can be sharp and pointy!)
• Large bells
• Keyrings with keys
• Large Whistle
• Egg cup
• Chains
• Egg whisk
• Harmonica
• Music Triangle
• Large bulldog clip
• Cymbals
• Handheld mirror

Wooden

• Rattles
• Bobbins and cotton reels
• Cubes of wood (sanded)
• Castanets
• Clothes pegs (dolly type with no metal)
• Coloured beads on string
• Driftwood (make sure no bits can come off)
• Any wooden toys
• Napkin or curtain rings
• Honey dippers
• Coasters
• Sticks (sand off any pointy sharp bits)
• Wooden spoons of various sizes
• Mini rolling pin

Natural

• Shaving brush
• Feathers
• Bark
• Small raffia mat
• Polished bone
• Woolen ball
• Sea sponge
• Large shells
• Large leaves (make sure they aren't dry and crumbly)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Walnuts
• Large piece of cork
• River rocks
• Gourds and mini pumkins (squash are great)
• Whole pieces of fruit/vegetables (apples, oranges, lemons etc)
• Pine cones

Leather/rubber/textiles

• Bouncy ball
• Rubber tubing
• Bath plug (clean one!)
• Small pouch with scented herbs
• Golf ball
• Scarves
• Pompoms
• Cloth napkins
• Small box filled with fabric squares baby can pull out
• Fabric swatches (try different textures)
• Scrunchie hair bands
• Leather purse
• Doilies
• Silk ties
• Coloured ribbons

Paper & Cardboard

• Small notebook with spiral rings
• Paper or toilet roll tube
• Greaseproof paper
• Egg carton (6 pack is fine - no eggs!)
• Small cardboard gift boxes with lids
• Mini board books
• Thick card cut into interesting shapes

Other suggestions for treasure baskets can be:

• Mixed - filled with random objects
• Kitchen - anything from the kitchen (not sharp things)
• Food - filled with various food objects (make sure they can't bite big pieces off)
• Soft - toys, socks, flannels,hair ties, small fabric pieces, cotton wool
• Noisy - fill various sized containers with dried, coloured rice, lentils, dried beans etc, keys, bells...
  
• Colourful - anything brightly coloured! Fill bottles with water and add coloured glitter and metallic confetti.
• Scented - fill satches with scented items (lavender, rosemary, herbs, lemon, etc)

Its best that when you get your child to play with treasure baskets, you pick a time when they are well fed and awake - their enjoyment will last longer! Place the basket close to your child so they can reach each object easily. Give the child a new treasure basket every few days to keep the activity fresh. Regularly check the items in the basket to ensure they are still intact and therefore, not dangerous for your child to play with.
Once your baby becomes mobile, place baskets on shelves low to the ground so they can help themselves to different objects.