Though the toys you could buy might seem endless, what you have on hand may easily fulfill the role of stimulating play. Such ordinary items can unleash a youngster's imagination in ways that ordinary toys don't. There is the classic example of the parent who spent hours and plenty of money over the holidays to find the perfect Christmas gift for her 2 year-old. She was disappointed to find that her daughter had more fun playing inside the carton that had held the toy. Give children permission to be curious.
Kids also are curious about textures, foods and smells.
Give your young child room to be a little messy with food. We've had a family tradition of baking a one-person cake for each of our children for their first birthday. We'd prepare by laying down plenty of floor covering and tying on an extra-large bib or dishtowel. Then we'd place the cake in front of them and watch them dig in. Some would begin by picking at it, while others would take a little dab of frosting and lick it off.