Summer 2019- Not our first summer in Arizona, but our first with a toddler. Wow! Try explaining to a 1 year old you cannot play outside because it is too hot… it’s hard. We got very creative this summer & came up with a list of toddler approved activities for those days when inside is the only option. Some are easy, some are take more mom help, all are a blast & lasted us a whole summer & beyond.
Most of you probably have the exact opposite problem & are just now in your stuck in the house season. Our toddler activity list we made this past summer can be used any time of year- So as the snow falls & winter sets in or you just need ideas for inside play, I hope this list come in handy for keeping your toddlers occupied…
ART
This can be as simple or complex as you feeling like going. Our go to art activities are:
- Paper Tearing– The little dude LOVED the sound of paper ripping as a baby.
- Coloring– With crayons, marker, or pencils.
- Water Painting– Less messy than paint. Have a small amount of water for them to dip their brush into & paint on colored construction paper.
- Dot Markers– We just attempted these at 15 months. He still has some ways to go. **If they tend to get distracted- trying having them dot along to the beat of a song like the ABC’s until they get the swing of things. **
- Painting– This one is ALWAYS messy, but so much fun. Depending on the age you can use yogurt & “paint” their tray, finger paint, water colors, etc.
- Make sure to have clean up supplies close by to avoid mess spreading
COOKING / Kitchen Play
Seriously, no matter what our little dude is doing the second he hears me in the kitchen, he bolts to come “help.” Some days I have all the patience & time in the world for this, others I don’t.
This can be as complex as making a meal together or simply giving them an empty bowl & spoon to play with…
- Baking muffins– Baking anything really. Our easy toddler friendly protein blender muffins are our go-to. Not only do they taste great, but they don’t involve a huge mess.
- PESTO!– As a nanny this was something we did almost weekly. It was fun for them to get to throw things in the blender/food processor & push the buttons. We always used whatever was on hand so no pesto was ever alike. However, pesto is life in my house so here is our – go to recipe.
- Prep Meals– Lately we have been bringing a chair over to help with dinner. He tend to “help” with prepping veggies- washing them, wiping them clean, tasting them, even “cutting” them with his toddler safe knife. As he gets older, this is more fun for both of us. Whisk eggs, stir batter, pour in ingredients, shake some spices. Our meals might not be picture perfect but I’ve noticed he eats better when he has helped make his meals.
- Setting the Table– In our kitchen we have a toddler safe cabinet where all of the dude’s plates, cups, and bowls are. So far he knows to grab one when he is hungry or thirsty. Plus it is a fun place for him to safely play in the kitchen. We will work our way up to actually setting his place setting.
- Water Pouring– This is not only a great practical life skill to practice but also super fun. Grab some kid friendly cups, add the amount of water you think your toddler can handle, put them in a tub, and let them practice their pouring skills. I normally also put a towel down to try to collect the missed pours. Once they improve the skill this could be replaced with a rag for them to clean up their messes.
- Clean Up! – That’s right! We have a little broom and dust pan just for him to “help” us clean. A skill we are still working on but something that he loves to do. We also have an old swifter (with one extension removed) for him to push when I am using mine.
- Empty/ Load the Dishwasher– Make sure any sharp objects are out of reach. Generally, I place all plastic items on the lower level as i’m emptying for him to “put away.”
Mess Makers
For the days when I am feeling creative or have extra free time we decide to break out some super fun & messy sensory play.
- Make Ooblek– I found this when trying to look for something safe for little ones to eat. Our dude has always been one to taste ANYTHING. Since it is just cornstarch and water, it is totally taste safe- might not be tasty though ?Most of the time we opt to do this one in the shower or bathtub & transition to bath time to clean up the mess.
- Make Homemade Play dough– I vividly remember the smell of making play dough with my mom as a child. Again, taste safe but not tasty. Mix in different colors, smells & sparkles. Once made, playing with it is even more fun! Here is a post about all the ways we use play dough in our house!
- Sensory Bin– This is one we are still working on. So far we have only tried dried rice and oatmeal. We scoop, pour, and find hidden items in it. As a 15 month old, this only held his attention for maybe 5-10 mins before he started to want to dump everything out of the bin! * Help contain the over pours with a blanket underneath.*
- Wash Animals– Bath time is one of our favorite activities. Some days we just add an extra for his animals. Either in the actual tub or use the sensory bin with a shallow amount of water and soap.
- Jell-O Dig– Find some toys, pour jell-o mix over & pop in the fridge. We laid a disposable table cloth down on the floor & let him to go town. He was not a huge fan of the jell-o texture until he saw me play with it more.
Oldies But Goodies
Let’s not forget the good old classic playing. Ever so important in your child development and the easiest to add though out the day!
- DANCE to music– Pick kid friendly or just your favorite station. Turn up the tunes and rock out! In our house, Dad does this every morning & it is already one of my favorite home memories.
- Build a Fort– Keep it as simple as using the couch cushions, a play tent, or go all out with a fort kit.
- Make music– use the table as a drum, break out some pots, cups, & spoons. You can even get creative and make your own instruments. We like to make shakers with old bottles and rice or beans.
- READ! READ! READ!– We have books everywhere in our house & have chosen never to say no when he asks us to read to him. Plus, nothing is better than turning to corner and seeing your little one reading on his own ?
- Hide N Seek– Either with us or with his toy animals. Always an easy fun game! Start small with peek a boo, hiding a toy under something until they get object permanence & make your way up from there!
- Pretend Play– Little dude LOVES his pretend animals. We have them eat, dance, hug, and “talk” almost everyday. The more we play this, the more I notice him doing it on his own. I love watching him play so well with his animal “friends.”
- Build with Blocks– Blocks can be used to help with a lot developmentally. Right now, I only have about 5 simple rectangles & squares out so he can practice stacking them. Once he has mastered this I will add the other odd shapes.
If Weather Permits…
Since we are not snowed in, we tried to get out of the house a few times a week. This could be as simple as walking through target or the grocery store.
Other ideas could be riding escalator or elevators at the mall, visiting a museum by you, take a trip to the aquarium, see some pets at the pet store, or get a meal/ treat out of the house.
Summer is now over here and we are finally able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors of our great state! You may be just getting to yours. Hopefully this has been helpful in sparking some ideas for your days to come stuck indoors. Suggestions? Or something you and your toddler love to do? I would love to hear your ideas! Leave a comment below!