A few weeks ago my friend posted about her MacGyver moment. It made me chuckle and wonder, when in a pinch, what I could come up with.

Yesterday, I found out.

A three hour train ride turned into an eight hour train ride.

We had a small amount of food and only a handful of toys. More than enough for three hours, not enough for eight.

Round about hour five, I knew I was going to have to get creative. I went down to the cafe and asked if they had any boxes I could use.

Armed with a cardboard box and a plastic knife, I crafted a little impromptu toy that saved the day.

Busying himself with putting things in and taking them out, Ewan forgot, for about an hour, about his displeasure with the situation. Instead of looking out the window and repeatedly saying “buh-bye,” he sat with his box. Putting cars in, taking them out. Putting lids from water bottles in and shaking them about.

MacGyver moment, success! Creative mama, success!

Tell me, what things have you made/crafted/come up with to entertain your kid’s in a pinch?