A few people recenty suggested that I should offer a few monkey toys for sale that I know would interest our smaller monkeys. There are already several websites and retail outlets where you can purchase specialty toys for monkeys and I know that after a while they can get expensive. With diapering, proper nutrition, vet care and enrichment, these little "kids" can already cost quite a bit, so why spend money we don't absolutely have to? I've learned over the years that my monkey's favorite playthings were just recycled items he liked to latch onto. The few time I did invest in toys, I found that the playthings I always discovered in his hammock or saw him running around with most often were the same old standbys he had chosen on his own.....that were cheap or recycled for free! Those fancy, store-bought toys may look great to us, but monkeys have their own idea of fun. I think many of these items are so appealing because the monkey knows they belonged to us.Here is a list of my little guy's "favorite things"
This is Brody playing with an empty toilet tissue roll. Mommy Janice puts some peanut butter inside and Brody has enrichment fun and a healthy snack. Good times just don't have to cost a lot of money.
Keeping monkey occupied and entertained does not have to cost a fortune. The "toys" on this list are all free and recycled household items or very inexpensive. Most importantly, they all earned a two (prehensile or not) thumbs up on the fun meter!
This list is only a beginning. As you see the suggestions here, you will think of a whole host of common household items that can easily be re-purposed to make great monkey toys. Shall we play?
Empty toilet paper roll (put a dab of marmoset jelly or peanut butter in there for a fun enrichment toy)
Poker chips
Keys
Hair barrettes (bright colors.... a favorite, PJ has a red one that he even takes to bed)
Small plastic measuring spoons
Medium to large plastic paper clips
Plastic hair curlers (like perm rods)
Empty thread spools...all sizes
sewing machine bobbins
Small lids (like from baby food jars
Cork from wine bottles
Dice
Bag clips
Lego toys
Dominoes
Board game tokens (monopoly, etc.)
Jax
Ping pong ball
Nuts, bolts, grommets, (washed and all clean, of course)
Wood and plastic buttons...they love the bright colors (size appropriate, of course)
Empty Chap-stick tube
Small pill bottles with something inside that rattles (a couple of cheerios, a dime, a paper clip)
Wooden beads (medium and large size)
Gerbil chew stix (whole bag less than $1) perfect for marms and tams that like to chew on things
Recycled pacifier
Dimes or Nickels (just wash them off first)....the little ones love shiny objects
If you have general questions or need details about any of our products, or if you just need to "monkey" talk, please contact me at (253) 862-0432 or email me at LindaLawrence@aol.com If I'm unable to answer your questions, I'll do my best to direct you to someone who can.
