While I was tackling the laundry this afternoon, Emily did some of her own. Somehow her laundry was a lot more fun than mine! Special thanks to Elise of Inspiration Surrounds… Creativity Abounds for reminding me of this fabulous activity. When I was a little girl, our family gave my cousin a play laundry set much like this one, and she absolutely loved it! Emily also enjoyed hers very much!
We gathered items we already had around the house: some buckets, clothes pins, a few yards of laundry line, a tiny version of a laundry basket, and a box of play laundry soap made from an empty Jell-O box. I sewed a small drawstring bag to keep the line, pins, and play laundry soap in. I stamped the words “wash day” on it using a fabric-safe ink pad. We used bubble bath instead of laundry detergent, and it worked very well!This was so much fun, and kept Emily well occupied while I got my own laundry done!
She was so proud of herself, and she keeps going outside to see if her laundry has dried yet!
She was so proud of herself, and she keeps going outside to see if her laundry has dried yet! 
August 20th, 2009 on 4:53 pm
Ok, never ever would have thought of this, but I LOVE this idea. It is so cute, creative and turns a life-skills lesson into play. Now if I could just make our stuff look as cute as yours does!
August 20th, 2009 on 5:45 pm
I just looooooove your blog!!! Easy, fun and educational stuff for kids and mommys too.
Thanks!
August 20th, 2009 on 6:17 pm
That is a great idea. I wish I could hang my own laundry out to dry.
August 20th, 2009 on 6:17 pm
Wonderful idea! Even the oldest likes to rinse out laundry like that.
Speaking of laundry… mine is threatening to take over the house. Best get on that. 
Val
August 20th, 2009 on 6:48 pm
Excellent idea! Put those kids to work. LOL.
August 20th, 2009 on 7:07 pm
i love it!!!
August 20th, 2009 on 7:35 pm
That is so cute!
August 20th, 2009 on 8:52 pm
That is so fabulous! I think I wanna come over to your house and watch her do stuff. Nope, I don't want to bring my kids; I just want to watch you two in action. You amaze me. She looks like she's having so much fun.
August 20th, 2009 on 9:51 pm
You always have the greatest ideas! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world
If my kids knew where I got all 'my' good ideas they'd thank you!
August 20th, 2009 on 10:10 pm
I just love your blog and your ideas, I learn alot of stuff from your blog to do with my Lu … Thanks for letting us know all your super mommy secrets!
August 20th, 2009 on 10:15 pm
@ Ivy — This activity brought back such great memories for me, and Emily loves playing with water so it was a real winner! I would have loved to have one of those old washboards for this, but sadly we don't have one. Fortunately, she had a lot of fun regardless!
@ Fotos Fiesta — You're very welcome, and thanks for reading and stopping by! Comments like yours just make my day!!
August 20th, 2009 on 10:20 pm
@ Petula — You are so funny!!!
@ Mrs. Wright — Don't worry, your secret is safe with me! It makes me so happy that you do similar activities with your kids… that is so awesome! I love that!!
@ Sherry — Oh, I am loving your blog too! You and Lu do such wonderful things together. I need to get over there and find out how your wedding/honeymoon went. I can't wait to read about it!
August 21st, 2009 on 3:11 am
This post does nothing for my constant struggle against "yard-envy!" I want a clothes line so much!
August 21st, 2009 on 6:27 am
I like this idea so much! I think I'll try to make a laundry set for my little boy, in order to have some time to do my home-works.
Thank you!
August 22nd, 2009 on 11:11 am
That is such an awesome idea! Once a history museum near us had a washboard, wringer and washtub display that kids could use, and Little Bear and Monkeyboy spent about an hour doing laundry!
August 22nd, 2009 on 3:52 pm
Love this! Linked to it here! (You got a lotta love from me this week :>))
December 29th, 2009 on 5:33 am
This is wonderful! You made such a lovely laundry set. Sunnyboy has his own washing line and peg bag but I never thought to give him a bowl and laundry soap as well. We shall do this is the spring.
December 30th, 2009 on 12:18 pm
That is adorable Valerie! Where did you find the laundry soap image?
December 30th, 2009 on 7:01 pm
@ Tammy — Thanks so much! I think I did a search for "laundry soap clip art", and it came up. If you can't find the exact image I used, I'm sure you can find one that is similar. I also filled the box with beans so it makes noise when Emily shakes it.