Last week the weather was cold and rainy. Simply the perfect conditions for me as my kids were driving me crazy. It never ceases to amaze me; the times when my children seem to annoy me the most are the times in which I am unable to get outside with them. It’s like forced torture with additional cabin fever.
You know the moment when you have completely reached your threshold and there is no escape? Well, that was me on this particular day.
I was done.
Truly, it was one of those days where I had enough.
So, that’s when I ran upstairs and went straight for my chotchkie drawer. Every Theta Mom needs a chotchkie drawer. You know, the one filled with useless crap that you purchase at the dollar store? It’s the drawer containing all of that cheap, junkie toy-garbage that your kids drool over because it’s wrapped and it’s new.
{If you don’t yet have a chotchkie drawer, I strongly suggest you make one. Immediately. It could save a life.}
So, as I reached into my bag of tricks, I found this beauty I picked up in one of the dollar bins at Target called Grow Capsules:
You fill a cup up with warm water and throw one of those suckers in.
Then, you watch your children scream and shout with delight as the capsules begin to “come alive.” Seriously, my kids were mesmerized. And there were so many beautiful moments of silence when they excitedly waited for the creatures to “come to life.”
This process takes about 4-5 minutes for each capsule…and it comes with 12 of those capsules…catch my drift? We are talking almost an hour of solid entertainment.
Yes kids, truly magical.
So there you have it. It only takes a buck at Target to entertain my kids on a cold and rainy afternoon with a little help from my chotchkie drawer…
Which saved a piece of my sanity.
I totally have a stash of different games, toys, and books that I dig into when I need some ‘me’ time! And those growth capsules? Yep, done those.
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I pick stuff from the Dollar Store now and then, but I haven’t come across these grow capsules. My kids would love them – gotta find them!
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I got them at Target Flory, in those dollar bins. Some of the best finds there!
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Oh you are so right! Every mom needs crap like that around the house for rainy (both figuratively and actually) days. Those little things are perfect! I’ll have to pick some up at the dollar store next time I’m there. Thanks Heather!
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Good to know! I think I definitely need a drawer like that. I’ve resorted to giving my son a bowl of dry pasta and measuring cups to play with on a desperate rainy day.
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Love. it. Isn’t that funny how kids can be like sharks. When they smell blood (as in-your blood pressure RISING) they can kick it up a notch! We have a drawer like that too. I am a big time garage saler in the summer and I am always on the look out for those types of things, which I too stash away. I also have a “costume bin” (A Rubbermaid Tote) full of dress-up stuff I’ve scored at garage sales. Good post!
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Oooooh, a costume bin, I love that idea Frantic Mommy! I will have to start one of those!
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Oh, that drawer is a life saver:)
I definitely have one of those drawers. They do save the day. I do the same as FranticMommy and have a costume bin as well. After Halloween I bought about 5 costumes for less than $1 each. They’re an endless source of entertainment in our house.
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Simple things might make life easier!
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Yep, have a box in the closet.. my kids faves are new slinkies (cause they always twist up and I toss them), puzzle games, new crayons… there’s something about new crayons…, and pipe cleaners….
Haven’t done grow capsules in a while though
Stopping by from SITS – happy Sunday!
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Great tip! Now what can I keep in that drawer for my tweens?
Yes, Heather – There is something about new crayons! And Dalia – Good question…I’m sure we can come up with something! lol
How totally cool is that! I do not have one of the those drawers but I desperately need one. It seems on days like those they have no interest in every one of their million toys in the house. So I need a special drawer to pull out the magic. Thanks
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Mine is termed a junk drawer because it’s nothing but junk! I have no secret treasures in there like you do! Mine is complete and utter CRAP!
Love this! I have the ones that take DAYS to grow. The kids are all excited, drop them in and lose interest in a few minutes. (rightly so!) I’ll have to pick up some of these quick dissolving ones next time I’m at Target. (which will be TODAY!)
BTW…I have no idea why my “last post” links to Scuba TV. Not mine! Weird!
Yeah, that is weird Kasey…Mine just did that, too!
I love the idea of a drawer/box/bin etc. We do have dress up bins which my kids love. I just picked up the grow animals at target yesterday
thanks for the post! Great ideas from your readers too.
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A positively perfect idea! I’m going to clear space now for my very own Chotchkies. And I don’t even have to run to Target or the Dollar store to fill it. My dear mother-in-law buys this stuff for the kids all the time. I’m just going to hide it all there for our next rainy day!
I so need a chotchkie drawer! (and now I know how to spell it)
Happy Sunday!
I hate this time of year! There’s too many days where we’re stuck inside.
I have a stash of toys like that and they really are a life saver! My kids are also getting into the dress-up play so I think I need to get a bin or something and more clothes.
I love those things!! I love them almost as much as the kids, I think…hehe!
I totally have one of those drawers!!! What a great find…I have yet to see those little guys though!!
Grow capsules rock. Now if only there was a way to entertain teenagers as easily…!
I dont have a draw per say but I definitely have a chotchkie stash… I also store some christmas toys and bday gifts there and take them out when the toys they have are “BORING”.
I agree– a MUST have.
4-5 minutes per capsule, times 12 capsules is a LOT of free time! Now, the question is…how do I get my kids to do one at a time?
I’ve realized recently that my kids have more fun with the dollar store toys than the more expensive toys I bought from name brand stores! I have wasted so much money in the past…but now I’m headed straight to the dollar aisle of target and the dollar store to stack up on toys! Thanks for the tip.
I agree ladies! And Krystal – My kids love those $1 toys, too! I’m telling you, if it’s new and wrapped, I don’t think they care what it is!
What a great idea! I am a big fan of that dollar bin stuff for kids – it IS great for occassional bribery/means of distraction. I never heard of these grow capsules though – I’m gonna have to try them out.
Existential Waitress – They really were a good find! And that drawer is a must have!
You know, I’ve heard from other mothers that those grow things are magical. I bought a ton thinking that I’ll provide all kinds of entertainment for my kids…yep, they could care less. Doesn’t it always happen like that!?
OMG, really Emily? lol I’ll have to think of something else that worked that you could use…
Bug is still a bit young to appreciate all the magic of a chotchkie drawer but I am keeping this idea on file cause I am gonna need it!
Those are the times we pull out the heavy artilary. I swap out the kids toys. So, i’ll pull out a box of toys they haven’t seen months. They think its Christmas.
I never heard of a Chotchkie drawer before. Fantastic idea! My youngest will be thrilled…he will no longer be targeted any more when Mateo gets restless. I know have a good distraction. This week I’ll stock up on dollar store toys. Thanks again…great life saver!
Amen! I’ve got one too! I started it the minute my older son started hating getting his diaper changed. I pulled out a dollar store toy he had never seen and voila, diaper changing became wasy!
Gotta love that dollar section at Target. Some of the best dollars I’ve ever spent were in that section.
Amen Jean – to that dollar section at Target! lol
I’m off to the dollar store…. 😉
Love it! I know those days too well, and it’s amazing the little things you have stashed around that you never got to opening! glad you were able to save your sanity- happy Sunday!
Got any suggestions for older kids. New crayons wont work lol
my kid also seems to love all the cheap useless crap too but i hate that it clogs my house!!
LOL Vodka Logic! Let me think about that one…
Yep, I have one too! They love that crap!
I have those same capsules! I add one to the bath tub a few nights a week if Vaughn isn’t too stoked on being in there. It definitely makes bath time more fun.
Julie – I never thought about using them in the tub! What an awesome idea!!!
I have my junk drawer…same thing.
Love the little grow things. Actually my kids love them. They can spend hours watching them grow, then dry out, then grow again…
Hey, whatever keeps them happy.
I used to do that kind of thing before my kids were in school. Now I just pray for their teachers.
And on the weekend I make their dad take them somewhere. Without me.
I have a junk drawer. Is a chotchkie drawer like a fancier or bigger version; one with better stuff in it that pens, magnets, coupons from 5 years ago, keys to unknown doors, etc.; or the same thing, just better named to make you feel better about having one (kind of like calling Target Tar-zay)?
I need one of those drawers!!
Right now, I just pull out the crafts or some toys that were moved to the basement. After being down there for a month or two, they’re like brand new toys again.