
Here's a quick tip for toddler entertainment on the cheap - the TaDoodles Easy Stampers by Crayola Beginnings.

My 2.5 year old Ava has not stopped playing with her 3-pack of stamps since she got them last week. The set we have has an alligator, beaver and duck stamp. They're really cute, easy to work, and not messy. Plus she is really proud of herself as she stamps all over her paper.
Ava does like other stamps but these are virtually impossible for her to eat the ink or get other stuff messy on accident. Even if she were too, they'e washable.
Crayola recommends them for 18 months and up, but my almost one year old thinks they're fun too (even thought she's not great at operating them yet).
You can find them at stores or get them online for $6.49 from crayolastore.com.