What random household gubbins/non-toy...

[FurrySlipperBoots]

does your 12-18month old love to play with, that actually keeps them entertained for more than a minute?

My tip is one of those children's suncream roll-ons (suncream all used up and freshly washed out!). Great to have in your handbag to distract them in emergency situations. Just make sure you label it so it's obviously a toy so you aren't caught without suncream!

What do you recommend?

Metal saucepan and a selection of safe kitchen utensils - wooden spoon, ladle, pastry brush, biscuit cutters etc

The plastics cupboard in the kitchen, used to keep her amused for ages. Taking them all out and putting them back again, banging them with a spoon, trying to fit them inside each other. Wish she was still so easily occupied.

Dried pasta and a selection of empty bottles to put it in.

Small pom-poms from the craft box and tubes to post them down.