1. Balls: Try making your own, find “how to’s” on-line for working with felt or fabric. If you’d prefer to support a local Oakland artist, these felt balls should be in every body’s list. Balls grow with your little one and these are works of art!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dirtgirldesigns?ref=pr_shop_more
Interested in playground balls? Be sure to look for pure rubber balls no PVC, BPA or vinyl please.
2. Kitchen props: Stainless steel or wooden bowl, wooden spoons, measuring cups
3. Fabric: scarves, napkins, bandanas maybe even new bed sheets?
4. Wooden blocks: a variety of sizes and shapes. Or you can make your own (tape up cardboard boxes.)
5. Dramatic play items: hats, fabric doll babies (plus bibs, diapers, clothes), shoes, belts, capes, larger clothing, kitchen, pots and pans, utensils, wooden eggs, fabric vegetables, strollers, baskets to carry.
6. Find items on walks that you can enjoy and play with together. Leaves, rocks, pine cones, sticks, flowers.
7. Baskets: You want to store items in an open basket where baby can access. Think about sturdy, low lying baskets for non-sitters and deeper baskets with handles for sitters and walkers, or larger floor baskets for walkers.
8. My book Homemade Play: Creative Ways To Be With Your Baby will be ready to launch in a couple weeks, it makes a great gift for yourself or other families!