Playing with a nine month old

I am always looking for ways to keep my nine month old entertained without spending too much money.  He has plenty of toys, but what he really loves, is household objects, or anything that I have used.  Nothing has ever been as interesting or as entertaining as a bus ticket after I have showed it to the driver, and he managed to spend almost an hour playing with a plastic disposable nappy bag (I know he shouldn't play with plastic but he loved it!) after a nappy change the other day too (A clean bag of course)

So I thought I would put together a list of ways we play with household items.

The Scarf

After a nappy change, I grab a scarf (I may have a little scarf shopping addiction) and run it over his body.  As soon as I start to shake it I can see the excitement building up and he loves it going over his face, feeling the tassles stroke his skin.  If you have a variety of scarfs, you can do it with different materials and tassle types.  It never fails to get him squealing and giggling.

The Bottle.

We have a random bottle which
we never got on with, but an old water bottle would work just as well.  I fill it with different things and use it as a shaker.  Currently it has rice in, but we have tried pasta and coloured water as well.  Much more exciting than a shop bought rattle, he loves the noises and throwing it around. (make sure the lid is securely fastened on with sellotape)

A Carrier Bag

I probably shouldn't be advising this, and obviously he must be supervised at all times, but he loves nothing more than sitting and crinkling a plastic Tesco shopping bag.  He hits it, crunches it, pulls it and throws it.  He could probably play with a bag all day and never get fed up, but we only do this when we are sat on the floor together.  A disposable nappy bag works in just the same way.

A Hanger with ribbons

I found an old hanger, and tied pieces of ribbon and other random items I had lying around to it, making it into a mobile.  He sits in his highchair below the door handle and plays with all the ribbons while I sort out his dinner in the kitchen.

A Cardboard Box

This doesn't have to be the massive box that you can make play houses from, any old box works fine.  In this case, a pizza take-away box provided much fun as he explored it.  He saw me munching the last slice and fancied having a look himself. 

Mobile Phone

Well I don't actually give him my phone, but when he starts reaching and grabbing at it, I quietly sneak the case off and give him that. So far he hasn't cottoned on that he is being fobbed off, as he looks so pleased with himself!  Unfortunately this can back fire as he did lose my lovely devil case a few weeks ago.  Better than losing my phone though!


Bubbles

All children seem to love them and Dylan is not exception.  He never manages to catch any, but loves trying to pop them.  A tube of bubbles lasts months, and can be refilled with fairy liquid and water as many times as you like.  Instant entertainment.

So that is what the little dude and I get up to when we are bored of building blocks, teddies and shape sorters.  Any other tips for easy and free toys?