Thursday Tippity Tip: 4 Uses For a Laundry Basket (HINT: They don't have to do with laundry)

Today's tip takes an ordinary household item that is normally associated with the doldrums of laundry and turns it into a sort of superhero of home tools. I think you will walk away from the post with a greater appreciation for that little slatted rectangle tote you hardly noticed under all those clothes.

1. A baby cradle - I discovered this cool trick with my first. If you are tight on space or don't have money for a cradle or are traveling, or simply have a baby who still prefers sleeping near you and not in their crib yet, laundry baskets make a great, safe place for you baby to sleep. Be sure to put a comfy blanket in the bottom and you can even cover the top with a blanket and secure the blanket to the sides using something like a chip clip. Depending on how fast your baby grows and how big your basket is, this tippity tip works well starting at newborns til they grow out of it!
2. An anything tote - Laundry baskets are great for toting plates, cups, utensils (utensils in a bag, otherwise they WILL fall through the side slats), paper towels, picnic blankets, beach towels, non perishable/breakable food and snacks etc. If you don't have tubs or enough large bags for the stuff you want to bring on your outing, or don't want to spend money on any, then laundry baskets make great stand ins! You will be amazed how much you can store in a laundry basket. I actually prefer to use a laundry basket over bags when traveling with a larger group because you can see what you need in a basket where you can't in a bag and they easier to carry than a heavy, unwieldy bag. Even if people bring their own individual little bags, being able to toss them all in a laundry basket cuts down on the amount of back and forth trips you have to make. An added bonus is that they were also built to be carried with one hand and the other side of the basket resting on your hip which can free up your other hand if the basket is not super heavy. I could go on but I think you get the idea. ;)
3. A kid's toy - My oldest little one loves to climb in and under my laundry basket! She puts a blanket or pillow in the bottom and then climbs in. It is like her own little cozy chair that she can snuggle up in. That is just one of the uses she finds for the basket! She also likes to push her dolls around in it or empty the toys and push her little sister around. Basically, she can entertain herself for a long time with a laundry basket which is a win-win on so many levels!
4. An exercise tool - You know how I said my little one likes to sit in the basket? If you have a basket you don't care about too much, your kid will absolutely LOVE being pushed around in the basket by YOU!  You have several options for where you can do the exercise. The grassy area of a park is a good place or if you have a big back yard with lots of grass space that works even better (Don't worry, baskets clean up really easily and you can also find one at thrift stores for super cheap). If you can't go outside but have a open carpet area in your house that works just as good and then you also don't have to wipe off the basket when you are done. Sprinting around pushing your kid(s) in a basket does several things. a) You get your cardio going b) Your kids squeals of delight and laughter makes the exercise worth the burn and sweat c) You will get to spend time with your kids and teach them exercise is fun and good d) You will be laughing by the end of the time which is just another added bonus

There you have it! 4 uses for a laundry basket that don't include laundry. Comment below with any unique uses you have found for a laundry basket. I would love to hear what you have found!