How to Make a Baby Treasure Basket (Simple Ideas Using Things You Already Have)
Looking for an easy baby activity you can set up in minutes? A treasure basket is one of the simplest ways to keep your baby engaged using everyday items you already have at home.
If you’d like to understand more about why they work so well, you can read my full guide to treasure baskets here.
What to Put in a Baby Treasure Basket
You don’t need anything fancy — in fact, some of the best items are things you’ll already have around the house.
Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
- Wooden spoon
- Wooden curtain rings (great for teething)
- Loofah or natural sponge
- Shower sponge
- Silicone cupcake cases
- Wooden honey dipper
- Soft fabrics or scarf squares
- Wooden pegs
- Small wooden bowl or basket
- Metal measuring spoons
- Silicone pastry brush
- Wooden hairbrush
- Natural sea sponge
- Large shell
- Ribbon tied in loose knots
- Wooden napkin rings
- Small fabric pouch
- Tea strainer
- Crinkly paper or baking parchment
You can mix and match these depending on what you have at home — it doesn’t need to be perfect, just safe and interesting for your baby to explore.
My Go-To Favourites
After years of using treasure baskets (both in nurseries and at home), these are always the biggest hits:
- Wooden curtain rings
- Silicone whisk
- Foil emergency blanket (for that crinkly sound babies love!)
- Wooden spoon
These are the items I always come back to — simple, engaging and loved every time.
How to Set Up a Treasure Basket
This really is as simple as it sounds:
- Place your items into a shallow basket
- Sit your baby on a soft rug or mat
- Let them explore freely at their own pace
- Stay close by and supervise
I love having something like this ready to grab — it’s one of those activities that works brilliantly when you need something quick and easy.
A Simple Activity That Really Works
It’s one of those activities that takes just a few minutes to put together… but can keep little hands busy for so much longer.
