I remember when I had my first child, I was always trying to fill the day with things to do. Down time was boring time for me so any time I had down time, I would look through the Toledo Parent, check out what the local libraries and parks were doing and reach out to friends for play dates. I enjoyed it but I’m not so sure my daughter appreciated all the running around all the time. As I entered into the chapter of life with two children, I soon realized that not all children are the alike and won’t just “go with the flow” of the day. I had to change my game plan (which I was happy to do because honestly running around all the time was EXHAUSTING). I came up with activities to do at home because my little homebody toddler was itching to just stay home and relax with her sister and mommy all day. At first, I did these extravagant projects that only led to someone crying or throwing a tantrum. I realized that simple is best. Here are my 5 go-to activities that my toddler LOVES and will do for HOURS!
READING. I can read to each of my kids for HOURS and they will sit and lsten contently.
Liza Baker, the executive editorial director at Scholastic, which just released its Kids & Family Reading Report.
“It’s so important to start reading from Day One,” she says. “The sound of your voice, the lyrical quality of the younger [books] are poetic … It’s magical, even at 8 weeks old they focus momentarily, they’re closer to your heart.” As they begin to grow, families should make sure books are available everywhere in the home, like it’s your “daily bread.” (Amen.) But it shouldn’t end when kids begin to read on their own. “As they become independent readers, we tend to let them go, but even kids in older demographics love nothing more than that time with their parents,” Baker says. “We’re blown away that kids time and again said the most special time they recall spending with a parent is reading together.”
Reading for toddler
PUZZLES. Most kids LOVE puzzles and it is an important skill to have. The skill of effective problem solving is a valuable and important one. As a child looks at various pieces and figures out where they fit or don’t fit, he or she is developing this vital skill. A puzzle, after all, can’t be completed by cheating! It either works and fits or it doesn’t. So puzzles teach children to use their own minds to figure out how to solve problems and think in a logical way.
SENSORY BINS. Throw some cotton balls and tweezers into an oversized bin and watch them explore, create and imagine. Don’t have cotton balls on hand, throw some water in there with some soap bubbles, a wash cloth and some hard plastic toys with some plastic cups. Some other ideas for the sensory bin are rice with scoopers and tweezer, sand, dry beans, uncooked or cooked pasta, shredded paper, etc. You get the point. This site explains sensory bins and how to introduce one to your child. https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/all-about-sensory-bins-5-things-need-know/
NATURE WALKS/ SCAVENGER HUNTS. My kids LOVE going on walks and finding things. Whether it be sticks, rocks and weeds or a planned out hunt such as letters, colors and animals hunts, they are thoroughly entertained. This is something we do almost daily and it never gets old.
PUSH/PULL-TOYS. My toddler is all about popper toys that pop when you push them or do something as they roll. At about 15 months old, your toddler may be able to push a sturdy toy with wheels, such as a trolley with blocks. She’ll need to be on a level floor to do this, though.
At 18 months old, your toddler may enjoy using her new-found skill by helping you out with housework. For example, she may push a toy broom along the floor.
Using a pull toy is more complicated than using a push toy. Your toddler will need to hold her arm behind her and she’ll want to look back now and then to check on her toy. Meanwhile, she’ll also need to make sure that she doesn’t bump into anything. She won’t get it right all of the time, so be on standby to give lots of cuddles and comfort if she has a bump.
By two years old, your toddler will have had lots of practice at pushing and pulling. She will be able to push and pull her blocks trolley easily. She will pull small toys, such as a pull-along dog on wheels, while keeping a steady path.
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