What can toddlers do?

As promised, here are some ideas for you and your toddler!! Hope you enjoy them!

ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS ages 1-2 years
• Toddlers like to put things inside of other things and dump them out. Cut a hole in the middle of the lid of a clean coffee can or plastic margarine tub. Let the toddlers put clothespins, thread spools, and big hair curlers through the hole.
• Toddlers like to draw with short, fat, unwrapped crayons. Give them paper bags (you can tear them open to make large sheets of brown paper) or large pieces of heavy paper to draw on. To help them draw, tape the paper down so it does not move.
• Let toddlers tear old wrapping paper. Then paste the pieces to make a collage.
• Toddlers like to jump. Put pillows, cushions, or a mattress on the floor.
• They can use some swings and low slides at the playground.
• Most toddlers are just learning how to walk and run. Go for lots of walks.
• Toddlers also like to play house with dolls and housekeeping props such as plastic dishes and spoons.
• Provide pull toys that make noise. Encourage the child to walk forward and backward while pulling the toy.
• Provide opportunities for your child to climb up and through things.
• Provide both large and small balls for throwing and kicking.
• Provide a wagon for pulling and carrying objects from place to place.
• Play games like “Ring Around the Rosie,” “London Bridge,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
• Encourage children to move, sing, dance and listen.
• Young toddlers love to make things work. They use their hands and fingers for pushing buttons, opening boxes, and turning pages.
• Look at books, listening to stories, and drawing pictures.
• Encourage fantasy play by providing dress-up clothes and other props. Use items like hats, scarves, backpacks, bowls and containers, music makers, and whatever else you and your child can find.
• Build things with blocks and knock them over.
• Use pull or push toys that make noise.
• Play with stuffed animals and baby dolls.
• Play with truck and cars and have a traffic jam.
• Play rolling games with balls.
• Hide a toy from the toddler and have them find it. Then have them hide it and let you find it.
• Play Follow-the-leader and let the toddler lead also.
• Play dress up with hats and scarves. (See my little dresser upper above! She is one the phone!!)

Coming soon- Activities for preschoolers!!