Toddlers are some of the most fun human beings on the planet.  Sometimes they can also be the most challenging.  Keeping toddlers occupied is challenge faced by many parents.  The seemingly constant motion that characterizes a toddler can leave parents frustrated and exhausted.  Providing structured play is one way to channel the typical toddler energy while maintaining the parents’ sanity.  The activities do not need to be elaborate or expensive; creativity goes a long way when dealing with toddlers.  Here are some tips to help toddler parents get started on a path toward keeping their toddler occupied.

Tip #1:  Water.  Water is the friend of any toddler of a parent.  When doing yard work, hand a toddler a bucket of water and a paintbrush and let him or her “paint” the house with water.  Letting toddlers “cook” with plastic kitchen toys and water can make those toys a little more exciting than usual.

Tip #2:  Applesauce.  This pantry staple will provide quite a bit of entertainment for toddlers.  Sit a toddler in the high chair with a piece of colored construction paper and let them “draw” with applesauce.  Parents can sit with their child and teach shapes with the applesauce and construction paper.

Tip #3:  Chalk.  Drawing with chalk on a driveway or a sidewalk can give toddler hours of entertainment.  Parents can draw pictures, teach letters, trace their child’s body, or draw hopscotch.  This activity is great for developing fine motor skills, as a toddler can mimic their parent’s drawing with freedom of space.

Tip #4:  Balls.  Balls of any size are a perfect activity to keep a toddler entertained.  Younger toddlers do not have the gross motor skills to catch a ball yet, but rolling a large ball to a toddler can provide a good start to those skills.  Once the toddler masters rolling balls work on throwing and then catching.

Tip #5:  Bubbles.  Toddlers find bubbles fascinating.  They love to try to blow bubbles themselves, but it is the catch of the bubbles that toddlers enjoy the most.  Parents can sit and relax and let their toddler chase and pop bubble after bubble.  A restful activity for the parent and an energy drainer for the toddler is a great combination!

Too often, parents of toddlers find their energy exhausting.  Planning these simple activities is a way for parents to enjoy their watching their toddlers learn and develop in an organized, directed manner.

You may also find interesting:

  1. Entertainment for Toddlers, How Do They Have Fun
  2. Reading with your Toddler
  3. Does “Time-Out” Work?
  4. Letting Your Toddler Explore His Creative Side
  5. The Importance of Play in the Learning Process of Toddlers

Filed under: Playing & Fun

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!