How To Host a Busy Bag Swap

I asked a friend for advice on how to keep my kids entertained during "the witching hour" at our house and she suggested busy bags. Well if you know me when I get an idea I run with it and I am super excited to say that now a group that was started on a whim is in our fifth consecutive month of swapping these amazing educational bags for our kiddos! Below you will find my advice on how to host your own swap and tips that we have learned along the way. HAPPY SWAPPING!!

1. Pick a date & location
We meet in a conference room at the local library but you also enjoy meeting at the park when it is warm or make a playdate out of it and meet at someone's house.

2. Set a deadline to sign up

Set your deadline for people to sign up with an activity at least one week prior to the swap date to give everyone time to assemble their bags to swap.

3. Set some guidelines/age limits
Some things that we have found helpful are

• Our group is most popular for toddlers (1-3) and preschoolers (3-5). We also have tried swapping for babies (0-1) and elementary (5-8) though these haven't been as popular
• Allow people the freedom to choose their own activities to encourage all levels of creativity (Pintrest is the number one place I use to find ideas, but you can also search on google)
• Keep track of what activities are being done so you don't get doubles
• Limit the number who can sign up. Our limit is 10/age category. This provides us with a large variety of activities without getting too expensive
• Set a budget range. Let people know ahead of time that they should expect to spend between $10-$25 (or whatever amout you decide) per set of activities they make. This encourages them to choose quality materials but not overspend.

4. Advertise
Word of mouth is always best, but some other ideas to help you find people to sign up would be to leave a flyer at your local library, church or play area, or create a facebook event for people to join and invite others.


TIPS for swapping on a regular basis

• Keep track of what has been done in the past and set a guideline for the frequency an activty may be repeated. For example, once lacing cards have been done they may not be done again for 2 or 3 months. Consider exceptions that are group favorites or may wear out more quickly.
• Vary the activities you receive and encourage group crativity by providing monthly themes! Some that we have done in the past are...Eric Carle, Travel/Road Trip Activities, Springtime and Dinosaurs. One theme that we are excited to do this summer is "Just Add Water: Activites for outdoor play or in the tub"
• Share ideas, websites and resources! Once you have found your activity, share where you got it from. Plus there may be some that don't get done that you might want to come back to!!