I’ve mentioned Nora’s LOVE of arts and crafts before — and I even shared how I organized our limited supply of crafty items.
However, as I was planning ahead for when Nora would come visit Simon and me in the hospital, I was thinking: “she’s 2, she’s not going to last 10 minutes without going stir-crazy in that hospital room.”
So I started coming up with ideas of things I could pack to keep her occupied for at least a few extra minutes.
I assumed the initial “new baby brother” would occupy her for at least 5 minutes… and then we had a couple gifts to give her. We’d take a few pictures, maybe watch a show on the iPad etc. etc.
But then what?
Thankfully, I found a really neat idea on Pinterest for a travel art kit made out of an old DVD case. I immediately (like literally at that exact moment) took an old DVD case from our TV cabinet and created a travel art kit for Nora.
It was early Sunday morning, I couldn’t sleep because I was so uncomfortably HUGE, and I was enjoying a few rare moments of total peace and quiet while everyone else slept.
I whipped out the entire project in less than an hour — and that was after starting over 3 times because I kept messing up!
Then I stashed the travel art kit in my hospital bag and gave myself a little pat on the back for buying a few extra minutes of toddler time when Nora would eventually come to visit us in the hospital (not to mention we’ll definitely be able to use this kit when we’re out and about in the future!)
For anyone going on spring break or planning an upcoming trip with children, this might be a really great project idea to do NOW and then surprise them with later!
Here’s a few more pictures and some basic directions:
STEP 1: Find a DVD case and cut out the raise part for the disk.
This was FOR SURE the most difficult part because the plastic is REALLY tough. I used a scissors that was specifically for cutting plastic and it was still hard. Just take your time!
.
STEP 2: Create a “pouch” for pencils or crayons.
I just used a piece of heavy card stock, cut to the size of the DVD case. Then I stapled a 1/2 sized piece of card stock to the front and covered it with some ribbons (so you couldn’t see the staples).
I taped the bottom of the pouch so the pencils wouldn’t fall out.
.
STEP 3: Glue the pencil pouch into the DVD case.
I used a hot glue gun — but I’m guessing super glue (or even really sticky double-sided tape) would also work.
.
STEP 4: Add paper and/or stickers to other side of case.
I cut some plain white paper to the size of the case and stuck that inside the clips on the left side of the case. I also had a few 5″ x 7″ colorful note cards that I added so she could have some colored paper to draw on too.
Since Nora is absolutely obsessed with stickers AND the alphabet lately, I added some letter stickers too.
.
STEP 5: Make a cover for the case.
This was really easy and really fun. I saved the previous cover and used that as my template to cut out some bright construction paper.
I also added some additional alphabet stickers to the back of the case since she could sing the ABC’s all day, every day if I let her 🙂
That’s it — and yes, it honestly did take me less than an hour from the time I saw the idea on Pinterest until I was completely finished and had my supplies cleaned up.
Obviously, you could get MUCH more creative than I did — but for Nora’s needs, this case is just right. And since I didn’t spend much time or any money making it, I really don’t care if it get’s ruined… after all, we have PLENTY more DVD cases I could use to make another one!
Lisa Rohrssen says
When my daughter was small I kept a special backpack. We did a lot of 10 hour road trips so that is a lot of time to keep a toddler or a small child occupied. I would fill the backpack with things for her to do. Usually a few snacks I don’t usually let her eat. Then I would always put a fresh box of crayons. Kids love fresh crayons with nice sharp points. Stickers would go in. Stuff from the dollar store. Whatever would keep her attention at her age. It varied from trip to trip.
She got to love to wait for the backpack for each trip. It became a real ritual. As she got a little older she knew I was filling it and it was like a mini Christmas for her. he rule was she didn’t get to look at what was inside until we were out of the driveway or ON the plane.
It worked so well when she was really little say 2-4 years old. I kept a separate backpack for restaurants and other long errands. She only got those toys and craft items when we were in those places and it because exciting for her. It also gave me peace and the ability to eat a meal out in peace because she was enthralled with whatever was in there.
Because lets be honest, when they are that young if the child is not happy the Mom isn’t happy either.
Carrie says
We have had many road trips and I have 3 boys. I have found that anything that moves is an awesome car toy. The hidden treasure water bottle is a good idea. It is a good idea to glue on the lid. I have used water, corn syrup(baby oil and sequins. Whirly Gigs which can be found at the dollar store are another inexpensive idea. The spinning action is mesmerizing even for adults on a long car ride:) I have wrapped up little gifts and passed them out periodically along the trip. I used little snacks, stickers, mini books and toys. I even used little toys that we already had at home:) I collected and hid them a few weeks before our trips. Out of sight out of mind. Hot Wheels are awesome….even for girls
Tracey says
PS – I meant to say that I was in my 30’s, and that I made it for my kids, who were 2 and 4
at the time. It was a hit! 🙂
Tracey says
Here’re a frugal knock-off of a $20 travel toy…a treasure hunt in a jar!
1. Take an empty cleaned out peanut butter jar with label removed.
2. Toss in several (10-20) small items, like a Lego, a paper clip, a marble, dice, a thimble, and other small items like that from around the house…check the garage too!
3. Then, fill the jar up with rice or small pasta, like orzo. (You can make it extra fun-looking by coloring either. Just put some in a ziploc bag with a couple drops of food coloring and smoosh it around then spread out to dry on a cookie sheet.)
4. Finally, put on the lid and secure with a band of duct tape around the edge so the lid stays on!
To play, they just shake and turn and roll the jar around and watch as different things pop up. I played with one in a store once and I was mesmerized…into 30’s – lol! Money was tight, so I made my own. 🙂
Tracey says
a tip to remove jar labels…
Fill jar with water and submerge in hot soapy water for awhile to loose label, then scrape off. If there is sticky gunk left behind, try rubbing it off with an oil dampened paper towel. If that doesn’t work, try Goo Gone. It’s a miracle worker and a small bottle lasts a long time!
Alison Rasmussen says
This is such a creative idea. I like that you jumped on it immediately. I need to apply that same principle to pinterest projects and ideas. My son is only 8 months, but I have already learned the value of packing (or finding!) things to keep him busy while traveling. We just got back from a trip out West and I found that giving him an empty water bottle kept him occupied beautifully. It seems like more often than not, the most ordinary objects are the ones they like best!
Heart and Haven says
Super cute idea!
When we travel (by car) we make a “to go” toybox using a basket with a few select toys…one small car for each child, favorite stuffed animal, their wooden train set, coloring book and crayons, and they have an awesome kids camera to take pictures of our adventures and it even has a few games on it that are perfect to keep them occupied on road trips.
Avia says
Such a great idea! We leave for vacation via airplane tomorrow and I might have to steel this idea!
Carle says
We travel internationally to visit family and I have to keep my two year old occupied…I came up with this because he was SO interested in going through my wallet! He once pulled my credit card out and dropped it on the floor of our supermarket…sigh! Thank goodness for honest people!
I used an old wallet I had lying around and cut lots of cardstock into sizes that would fit into all the pockets and slots. I also put sheets of stickers into some of the pockets. In the zippered coin pouches I tucked a few crayons. My son has been playing with his wallet for about a year now…pulling out cards and putting them in, coloring on them, sticking on stickers, zipping and unzipping, buttoning…the fun is endless, and it keeps him out of my wallet! Give this a try – you can add small sheets of origami paper, small toys, fake money, anything! 🙂
Thanks for the great idea Andrea, and keep them coming! 🙂
Sherry L says
That’s a cute idea! It sure beats the Ziploc bag full of paper and crayons I carry around in my purse. I have a 4 year old who would enjoy this!
Ashley says
So cute!! You did a great job 🙂
Cheryl Wertherington says
Love it!
Heidi says
My husband’s family lives in Missouri and both of our girls (ages 2 and 4) have made the 800 mile trip by car from SC at least once or twice per year since they were newborns. I pack a treat bag for each state with a snack and new activity to keep them enertained. Definitely will be making a few of these for our next trip!
Emily says
What a super cute idea! So simple and compact enough to throw in a purse or diaper bag. We’re hitting the road next week (traveling from Michigan to Colorado in our RV) and I may need to make a few of these. My three kiddos would love them! Thanks for the great idea!!
Jennifer says
That’s really cute!
When I was growing up, my mom used old travel-size baby wipe containers to keep crayons in her purse. They were square boxes, fairly thin, which snapped open and closed. They were probably too small for pencils, but just right for crayons. We travelled a lot but she always carried these in her purse and brought them out when we were waiting in the airport, at restaurants, etc.
Amy says
I love that idea Jennifer!! I’m going to do this for sure. I bet I could put a bit of paper in there too:)