Easy to Make Activity Basket

One of Kai's favorite toys is one I made from supplies mostly from a dollar store. It is inexpensive and works really well. I just bought a rectangular basket to start (you'll note from the pictures that it should be small enough to cross the child's lap, but big enough to accomodate things hanging from the inside). 

I always have a couple sets of beaded necklaces so I added those. Beaded necklaces come in handy all the time. I also use them on mirrors while Kai is sidelying. They make a great clanking noise when against things, and it's a noise that Kai can make when he moves them just a little bit. He loves it. For the basket, I started by stringing a wiffle ball and then hanging the ball next to the beads on the inside of the basket (with the basket on it's side). Kai manages to hit the ball and make all kinds of noise. Then I thought bells might work too. So during Christmas time I bought a few sets of bells and hung them in the basket. He worked well with the bells too.

This is a great toy that gets Kai's arms and hands moving without frustrating him, and its really easy to make. You can put whatever you have around the house that is light and makes noise when bumped. Also, you might want to take a look at the pillows Kai's elbows are sitting on. Those were made for him with just a little foam with a fabric covering. If you aren't the sewing type or would like to see what dimensions you would use to make them, you could take a look at some foam yoga blocks. I have not used them, but I think they would work the same way. They are very handy to keep Kai's arms up and out so he can move his hands around to play.