7 CREATIVE WAYS TO PLAY WITH LAUNDRY ITEMS

Keeping your child entertained at home all day can be a difficult task for any parent, especially on a budget. Tixylix is here to inspire you with some little tricks to try with ordinary items you most probably already have at home.

Here are 7 fun and creative ways to entertain your child with items you do the laundry with:

Peg-a-sponge

If you have any coloured washing up sponges lying around, cut these up into medium-sized rectangles and pop them into one bowl. Place your colourful pegs into another bowl to create a ‘match the colour’ style game. Your little one has to try and match a peg to a sponge with the same colour. Not only does it help them identify different colours, pinching pegs helps to improve fine motor skills.

Laundry basket train

Encourage your child to play make believe by linking together multiple clothes baskets to create their very own hamper train. You could even add in a few stuffed animals to create guests for them to serve. 

Create a spider’s web

If you have a young toddler at home, creating a spider web game with your laundry basket is a great way to build upon their problem-solving skills. Simply use string to create a spiders web within the laundry basket, threading the string through the holes at either side. Then hide some of your little one’s toys at the bottom for him or her to rescue! Your little one will love the drama of trying to rescue their favourite toys. 

Go fish!

Lay down a rug or blanket down on the floor which will act as your river or lake. Pop your washing basket in the middle, which will now transform into your little one's paddle boat. Dot some toys around on the rug (fish would be ideal) and let your little one go fishing with your handy kitchen tongs.

Indoor sports

If you have a ball pit at home, or even a set of beanbags or small stuffed toys, set up your laundry basket at the back of the room and create your very own basketball hoop. If you’re going the extra mile you could even craft a backboard for the basket with your little one. 

Have a snow day

We recommend only playing this game with children who are old enough to understand rules - just to be on the safe side! Ball up your socks for the snowballs and have an indoor snowball fight with your little one. For an extra bit of fun, tip your laundry basket upside down to create snowy igloo barricades.

Make a peg family

If you still have wooden pegs, these are perfect for creating a mini peg family with your little one. Use pens to draw tiny faces, or use mini pieces of felt and wool to create clothes and hair. Ask your little one to create your family - it’s definitely humbling to see yourself through your child’s eyes!