Ages: 6 months and up
Shake it up, baby! Toddlers love getting a reaction, and these nifty bottles let them do just that -- without tiring out Mom and Dad in the process.
These simple little shakers offer mesmerizing first experiments in floating, sinking, and swirling. (For a fun lesson in pouring, older tots can use a funnel to help fill them.) We recommend sealing the caps with hot glue, but you'll still want to make sure that junior spares these bottles any vigorous teething.
To start, insert a handful of objects into a clear plastic bottle. In one bottle, we put sequins, buttons, and baubles of varying sizes, and in the others, we put ribbon and yarn cut into half-inch, 2-inch, and 5-inch lengths.

Fill the bottle with water, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Firmly secure the lid with hot glue and let it dry completely (about 5 minutes) before giving it to your child.