Each time we see DH's grand girls (ages 6+ and 5), I have a shoebox full of stuff. Whether it's a learning thing, a craft, soap or whatever I can think of.

This time I am including a tooth of mine that was pulled not long ago. I want to show them the importance of brushing/flossing, forever. Even though mine was decayed due to the dentist, years ago, not drilling deeply enough allowing it to rot underneath the filling, they can still see a bad tooth.

Any other ideas for our next shoebox?

(BTW, they LOVE it and look forward to it every time!)

What a great idea! If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

How about a piece of jewelry you had when you were a child? I have a young niece who is fascinated with the fact that adults were ever as small as she is!

How about some kind of old-fashioned toy -- maybe one of those wind-up frogs that hops, or a top, or something like that? Kids are fascinated by the concept of toys could have existed that weren't run on batteries, or powered by computers...

A harmonica or kazoo.

Old/vintage children's books are always fun, too.

Or some "vintage" clothes to use in "dress-up" games. My daughter always used to love to try on my high heeled shoes -- back when I wore 'em. But this goes along with Marsha's jewelry idea -- could be a long strand of fake pearls, a pair of long white gloves, big clip-on dangle earrings, a cool hat with a veil, feathers or birds or fruit on it, or a cloak/scarf/shawl.

Seed packets they can plant and nurture. Or a potato they can cut up and plant in water.

A kid's card game.

A collection of old postcards.

When I was a kid, I used to love those old Viewmasters, and the image disks that went into them. Loved that the photos looked "3D." Wonder if you can find any of those anywhere?

The ingredients to make homemade Playdough.

A collection of sea shells and a book to learn about them.

Small pair of binoculars and a bird-watching book.

An old cassette recorder and a bunch of old tapes from the 60s, 70s or 80s.

Great ideas ladies!

DH wants his turn to do "the shoebox" as he asked me about it today. So, I'll see what he comes up with.

What a fun and educational thing to do. I keep loads of craft and painting supplies handy, since that's what I'm known for, but to add things at random seems fun and a great way to start conversations... HOWEVER, I might need some awfully sophisticated and challenging items since my all but two of my seven are already college age: one entering this year, two already graduates and a fourth in his second year. The odd man out chose not to go, which I applaud him for.