Can anyone share their tried-tested ways to entertain baby. What kind of songs, actions, toys, furniture or gadgets do you use?

I am a mom of 4 boys and never had any help and I had to cook and clean the house all by myself. So the best way to keep my baby entertained was give him a bowl and spoon to bang on or a empty cup and plate...believe me it has worked for me. At times I would put on a dvd of Barney and Friends or Mickey Mouse Club house and allow my baby to watch. Best of all I entertain my baby by singing nursery rhymes and short stories and a baby's brain is like a sponge they grasp very soon. My youngest baby is now 2.5 years and can say numbers till 20, his alphabets from A-Z and knows to say short rhymes too. And yes he is still not going to school.