I Spy!

I made this for Drew several years ago and just came across it sitting high up on a shelf. Who knew that we would have a little girl to enjoy this fun activity one day??!! I got the inspiration for this from a toy that I saw at Learning Express. I wanted Drew to have it for a road trip to Disney and when I went to buy it....I couldn't find it anywhere. So I decided to make my own. I actually like my version better than the store bought one anyway.
I started with a simple jar of beads. I bought mine at Michael's with a coupon but on Amazon they are called Melty Beads. I had started collecting little trinkets from around the house and then I bought some cheap little things as well. The ideas for what to put in the jar are ENDLESS and you really don't need to spend any money on it....just start a little collection of junk from your house. You will be surprised what you come up with.

I peeled off the label and emptied out some of the beads and then added in all of the little trinkets that I had collected. I then hot glued the lid shut so it cannot be opened.

I used some card stock and scrapbook stickers to decorate the top but you could really do anything (or nothing at all, if you prefer).
I also added in lots of little alphabet beads so I could give him words to try to find.
When I first made it, I printed out a list of everything that is in there, shrunk it down and laminated it. I then attached it to the side of the jar so he could look through the list and find certain things. The item list is long gone (I need to look on my upstairs computer and see if I saved it so I can get it ready for Addi).
This is a great activity for a long car ride, dinner out or a doctors office waiting room! Enjoy!!

Here is a short list of things to put in it....but seriously, the list is endless. Safety pin, rubber band, button, paper clip, money, legos, dice, magnetic letters, little toys, balls, rocks, erasers, etc.