Having fun with your toddler does not mean you have to break the bank. Each of the following five activities all cost less than the price of a drink or snack - and the memories will last a lot longer! Because they use simple materials, they are also more imaginative than expensive toys and games.
BOX TOWER - Take any boxes you can find around the home and play Jenga with them. Toddlers love the tension and excitement of wondering which box will topple the tower. After this, you can put the boxes back, matching the inner bag of cereal to its box for example.
GARDENING - one of the best outdoor activities for young children, and you don't necessarily need toy rakes, shovels etc. Plastic forks, cups and spoons are a decent substitute. Because it is an grown-up's hobby, gardening lets young children copy adults and so feel really important.
WHERE'S THE TIMER? - hide an ordinary kitchen timer that ticks loudly enough to be heard. Now let your mini detective search for it. Important: Don't to make the hiding place too challenging - accompany the child if you think he might get cross doing this activity. For younger toddlers, conceal the timer in the same room, and make it somewhere highly visible.
TODDLER I-SPY - Print or cut out from magazines 3 - 8 pictures (depending on their age) of things in your area - a cat, a tree, a house, etc. Now go for a walk together, looking for each item. Having the focus of the pictures helps maintain interest and stops that tiresome 'Want to go home' whingeing or pleas of 'Carry!'
MAGNIFYING GLASS FUN - take an ordinary magnifying glass and go outside. Now investigate all those small things that are easy to miss: bugs, blades of grass etc. Older toddlers can have a go at saying the words, and those under two will still enjoy hearing what each creature or plant is.
BOX TOWER - Take any boxes you can find around the home and play Jenga with them. Toddlers love the tension and excitement of wondering which box will topple the tower. After this, you can put the boxes back, matching the inner bag of cereal to its box for example.
GARDENING - one of the best outdoor activities for young children, and you don't necessarily need toy rakes, shovels etc. Plastic forks, cups and spoons are a decent substitute. Because it is an grown-up's hobby, gardening lets young children copy adults and so feel really important.
WHERE'S THE TIMER? - hide an ordinary kitchen timer that ticks loudly enough to be heard. Now let your mini detective search for it. Important: Don't to make the hiding place too challenging - accompany the child if you think he might get cross doing this activity. For younger toddlers, conceal the timer in the same room, and make it somewhere highly visible.
TODDLER I-SPY - Print or cut out from magazines 3 - 8 pictures (depending on their age) of things in your area - a cat, a tree, a house, etc. Now go for a walk together, looking for each item. Having the focus of the pictures helps maintain interest and stops that tiresome 'Want to go home' whingeing or pleas of 'Carry!'
MAGNIFYING GLASS FUN - take an ordinary magnifying glass and go outside. Now investigate all those small things that are easy to miss: bugs, blades of grass etc. Older toddlers can have a go at saying the words, and those under two will still enjoy hearing what each creature or plant is.
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The author is the creator of Toddler Ideas and a mom of two. Go to this website for 1001 advice and tips. Download your free guide to solving toddler problems today
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