Treasure Basket Ideas Your Baby Will Love

Treasure baskets usually consist of natural, household and recycled items but I tend to add in toys too. Creating a treasure basket helps babies brain development and physical skills. They provide a great sensory experience, allowing little ones to explore at their own pace and test out ideas.

Treasure baskets can be used for days before having to change the objects. I also like that you can scoop everything up quickly and put them back into the basket ready for next time. Here are 8 ideas to give you some inspiration for making your own treasure basket.

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1. A Basket with Random Items

You could start by looking around your house to see if there are any everyday objects you could use. You may find something you can use from your recycling bin too. Our treasure basket contains tape, a comb, hairbands, box, toilet roll, lid, ping pong ball, paper plate, napkin and a holiday souvenir.

 

2. Kitchen Items Treasure Basket

Adding things you would usually use in the kitchen is one of the quickest and easiest treasure baskets to make. Wooden spoons are a big favourite of K’s. He loves to bang and chew on them. Our basket contains measuring cups, a spatula, wooden spoons, wooden tongs, scoops, brushes and a whisk.

 

3. Create a Treasure Basket using Fruit and Vegetables

Creating a fruit and veg treasure basket will help your baby to make the connection to the food they eat. This would be particularly good to create if you are starting to wean or if you have a fussy eater. I included a grapefruit, kiwi, lemon, lime, tomato, potato, apple, carrot and pepper in our basket.

 

4. Make a Basket Focusing On One Colour

A treasure basket dedicated to one colour is visually appealing. You could also try using a combination of two colours. I used stacking cups, balls, linking chains, building blocks and a stencil to out basket.

 

5. Fill a Treasure Basket With Different Textures

Your baby will love being exposed to different textures. I always find it entertaining watching K put a rough item into his mouth. His reactions are hilarious! Our basket contains a teddy, touch and feel book, loofa, a sponge, foot massager, a teether, sensory liquid timer, body scrubber, a comb and a silk scarf.

 

6. Add Noisey Items to a Treasure Basket

Babies will love exploring a treasure basket full of objects that make a variety of sounds. It helps babies to learn cause and effect. I used a rain shaker, a maraca, an egg shaker and rattles in our basket.

 

7. Fill A Treasure Basket With Balls

A treasure basket filled with balls will encourage babies to practise grasping. Balls will fall out of the basket and babies may try to crawl as a result. Our basket had an Oball, sensory balls, bath balls and bubble balls.

 

8. Using Loose Parts

Loose parts create the opportunity for open-ended play – you might be surprised with how your baby interacts with these items. I’ve watched K shout to himself while pulling (and dropping) one of the rings from one hand to the other. I added rounds, peg dolls, wooden blocks, cups and rings to our basket.

 

I have only included 8 ideas but you could also create a treasure basket with lots of everyday objects. Ultimately, the more variety you provide, the more your baby will be stimulated and interested. In addition, be sure to supervise your baby but give them plenty of opportunities to explore independently and concentrate – this is where the learning takes place.

See below for more activity ideas or check out my Pinterest boards.