The Toddler's Busy Book: 365 Fun, Creative, Screen-Free Learning Games and Activities to Stimulate Your Toddler Every Day of the Year (Busy Books) Paperback – 1 Nov. 1999

As a stay at home mum I was looking for a book with things to do with a toddler. After reading the reviews I was a bit unsure of what to do because I didn't want to pay out for something full of completely obvious things....but then was desperate for new ideas too!!However putting things in perspective the book was about £6 which is comparable to taking my toddler out to one swimming lesson and I then thought that really the book only needs to have a couple of gems in it to warrant a purchase. If I got a couple of afternoons of fun out of it then ok by me!There are some really obvious things in this book that you would probably do anyway. Some ideas are also a bit disappointing because singing a nursery rhyme etc isnt exactly the great time filling activity idea that mums would want or need to pay for so these type of ideas let the book down and i can see why some have rated it low.But then there are those few interesting ideas that you might not have thought of and for that it's worth a quick read. Definitely contains some material to create some magical fun with your special little people.So a large proportion of the book may seem obvious and as a mum you would do most of it anyway...but if you can accept that you may just pick up a handful of new ideas too which could lead to some good fun times.

I've really enjoyed this book. Granted, a lot of the ideas are really simple and you could probably have come up with them yourself, but actually I think that's what makes it so good, a lot of the projects can be made from things you already have in the house and are uncomplicated. I can dip in when I need a quick idea for something to do on a rainy day.I have found though that because the author is American it does mention brands and supplies that I don't know, which can be frustrating. And, I would have liked some more pictures (some projects do have pictures, but not many and not very detailed) just to help me a long on some of the projects, but in general it's good value, and a lot of fun.I would recommend it to mum's who are in need of some inspiration. In fact, I've enjoyed it so much I'm going to buy one for my friend.

I read the various reviews before buying this book so I think I was fairly prepared for it to contain some of the more obvious ideas for fun playtime. Whilst I agree with some of the poorer reviews that some ideas are "obvious" I must admit that most of them were not "obvious" to me. I have one son and until I had him did not have any experience where children were concerned. For someone like myself who is still finding their way and trying to come up with fun things to do I think this book is a useful tool. When I read some of the ideas they do appear obvious but not obvious enough for me to have tried them.We have tried a couple of things and my son loves them - neither of them had occured to me before!Overall a good book if you are expecting what you get!

I know that some reviewers have found the suggestions in this book unoriginal. However, this book is great for the rest of us. I would consider this an ideal lead on from Miriam Stoppard's 'Baby's First Skills'. A lot of the activities could easily be classed as developing skill(s). Some activities are more suitable for older toddlers but I found plenty of low cost ideas to keep my young toddler occupied. You may have read the criticisms of the tissue box game but there is also the more long term suggestion of a sacrifical box (an old tissue box stuffed with scarves - the latter of which can be easily sourced from scrap fabric or charity shops). This book subtly encourages creative thinking in adults too and has given me back weekends of happy play with my child - instead of frantic & stressed out days at a loss as to how to entertain my clearly bored child without buying more toys or singing the same songs again/feeling like an inadequate parent.

This is a really good book packed full of stuff that you can do with your toddler - my little one always needs to be kept busy and this book is full of good ideas. There are a wide range of activities to include a little bit of everything. The book even gives you a list of items you need before describing how to proceed with the activity. There's definitely good fun to be had by all.

There's lots of fun ideas in this book, from crafts, games, and outdoor fun, but I have to say I would imagine the average person could dream up about 75% of them! Having said that, as a parent, you do lose many brain cells, so having this to grab when you're at a loss comes in very handy.

I thought this book would be a godsend as I'm such an unimaginative person when it comes to thinking of activities to keep the children amused. It does have some great suggestions, but the majority require prior planning & preparation....so not ideal for spur of the moment, rainy day fun. The items needed for most are easily obtainable, but to be honest a)I don't have masses of space where I can store all the things I would need and b)the space I DO have the kids would be in it and using all the bits for their own ends! Useful to have a copy of, though.

Although this book might hold lots of things 'you could have thought of yourself', you don't always have the time or energy to get that grey matter working again when you have one or more little ones. This is therefore a great book you can just pick up and find an idea.If you need anything to 'play the game' you will more than not already have it in your home. Ideas incorporate rainy play indoors as well as ideas outdoors and includes creative stuff as well as physical play. Also, it has some great recipes for doughs etc.