Please welcome the latest diy contributor to Hellobee, the amazingly talented photographer, crafter, and mom Kaley Ann!
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Do you ever feel like you need a whole bag of toys to keep your little one occupied while you are on an airplane, at a restaurant, or in the doctor’s waiting room? Then even if you do have a bag of toys, the little ones end up wanting your wallet anyway?
There is a solution, and it is so easy. Give your little ones a wallet of their very own filled with all sorts of activities and treasures to keep them busy in any situation. Change it up frequently, and your activity wallet will be never ending!
Here’s what you will need to build your own activity wallet:
-A wallet
I used one of my old wallets, but if you don’t have any extras, check thrift stores for cheap options – try to choose one that has lots of compartments, snaps, zippers, etc. and will hold a lot of treasures
-A personalized Hellobee Printable ID Card
This little template is so cute and my daughter loves having her very own ID! We used a silly picture of her that makes her laugh every time.
-Age-appropriate activities and treasures for your child to discover
This can be anything from dollar store finds, to scraps of paper. All of my treasures are things that we have gotten for free as prizes or samples, or items I have rescued from the garbage or recycling bins. If you call them treasures, the kids will like them more! For fun activity ideas, be sure to check Pinterest.
Directions:
1. Start with an empty, clean wallet.
2. Keep adding treasures to each pocket and compartment of the wallet until it is full.
3. Throw it in your purse or diaper bag for the next time your little one needs to be entertained.
Thats it!
Everything that I included in our activity wallet were things that we had around the house, which brings the grand total for this project to $0. My favorite kind of project!
Clockwise from top left:
-various scraps of paper to color and write on
-a store rewards cards (I used my old Anthro card since her favorite color is yellow)
–Hellobee Printable ID Card
-a caterpillar taken off of one of her birthday cards
-In’N’Out stickers
-crayons
-a mini coloring book
-a fun clothing tag, unique business cards, and other packaging bits
-a ribbon
-DIY matching game
-dry-erase letter cards
-a dollar bill
-an old wallet
-extra passport photos of mom and dad
-a ribbon
All of these treasures are a huge hit with my daughter, who just turned 3. I try to replenish the wallet every few weeks, depending on how often we use it. Every time we pull it out she finds surprises in every pocket! The activity wallet can be used for any age, as long as the treasures and activities included are age-appropriate.
So look around your house, gather your treasures and make your activity wallet today. You won’t need to carry anything else!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
Omg this is so awesome. My LO loves going through my wallet! And we’re taking a 4-5 hour flight next month!! Thanks!
apricot / 426 posts
Brilliant!
cantaloupe / 6146 posts
This is amazing!
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
Love this. Thank you.
pear / 1764 posts
that is adorable! thank you
grapefruit / 4903 posts
I love how compact this is! Thanks!
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
this is freaking awesome!!! i am totally making one for my solo flight with cb! genius!
cherry / 115 posts
SO great!
persimmon / 1255 posts
So true. She’s always reaching for my credit cards and wallet. I’ve been carrying old cards for her to play with but giving her her own wallet is even better. Thanks!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
Aww, so cute! I love this idea.
pomelo / 5331 posts
That is so adorable, and those letter cards are awesome! Did you buy those?
pomegranate / 3716 posts
Great idea!! And I really like that wallet too…
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
This is so great!
clementine / 958 posts
Brilliant! What a fantastic idea.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
This is a brilliant idea!!
pea / 8 posts
Thanks everyone!
@CHOPSUEY119, we just used it on a 6 hour flight with a 3 hour delay and it was a lifesaver!
@LADYFINGERS, I found them in the dollar section at Target about a month ago.
@RED, since she likes the cards so much, load it up with all of your old club cards!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
Whoa this is insane I freaking love this. I have to check target and see if they have those dry erase boards. So genius
guest
As a college student, I’m making one of these for myself!!
guest
you have a Lempira Bill from Honduras!!
love it!
guest
I love this idea! I’m going to add this to my to-do list (I’ve made my tot a regular old toy wallet but have yet to add any activities to it). Linked to this post today in a piece on DIY toy toddler wallets. More on how I made my daughter’s frugal toy wallet here: http://hintmama.com/2013/12/19/todays-hint-upcycle-your-old-wallet-cards-into-a-toddler-wallet-toy/
guest
Hey y’all,
Love this idea, but, not to be a killjoy, but lots of purses and wallets are made/contaminated with lead, so be sure yours isn’t before letting your little ones handle it.
guest
this is such an awesome idea!! Wallet is perfect since it has a lot of slots that a child can look through!! thank you for sharing!
guest
I made the similar wallet for my 2 yr old too. He was always going through my wallet :). I love the Caterpillar. Did you make it?
guest
Where did you get the colouring book from? Looks fun!