Originally Posted by Yarn or Fabric
There are patterns out there for toddler busy books where they have ties and zippers and whatnot. I'd use the pages as blocks... I know I have seen some free ones online.
I will admit that I didn't read every response here. Maybe someone else suggested it already :)
That's kind of what I was thinking too. If you look at activity pads for babies you might get some good ideas - I remember having toys similar to things already mentioned for my kids somewhere between their newborn and toddler ages.