Five Activities to Keep Your Toddler Busy While at Home!
Hello friends, and happy Monday…at least I hope it is! Since we've all been cooped up in our houses due to COVID-19, I thought it'd be an appropriate time to pull out a few activities to help keep our toddlers busy while at home! (You know me, always looking for ways to keep myself and my beautiful reader friends more cool, calm, and collected!) :-)
Growing up, my fondest memories took place at home, and although there will inevitably be some “not-so-happy moments," being intentional about making those memories is a beautiful thing! We've been doing these activities lately with my almost 3 year old, and for some of them, my 1 year old was able to join in! I hope you enjoy, and let me know which was your favorite activity in the comments below!
Pasta prison
I've done sensory pasta like this before, (I have designated pasta that I reuse over and over), but this time I really had an epiphany! Instead of doing sensory play on the table or floor, I used my daughter's play pen! I gave my son various containers, cups, bowls, and tools to scoop. He played for at least an hour!! The mess was completely contained/ the broken pasta pieces were easily vacuumed!! How did I get so lucky as to think of this, haha!? In case anyone is wondering here is the play pen I’m using which compacts easily to be brought, and used outdoors as well!
Ice breaker
Take a tupperware, fill it halfway with water, some tiny toys, and place it in your freezer to freeze. Once completely frozen, add another layer of tiny toys, and more water to freeze. Then, bring it to another no-mess location: the bathtub! Let your toddler go crazy with a toy hammer on the ice! My son loved chiseling his little toys out, and even made requests for which toys to add to the next batch of ice!
DISCLAIMER: Be sure to freeze ALL layers of the ice solid to make a more challenging and long activity for the child!
Nature painting
Although we’re all socially isolated right now, we can still bring the outdoors in! Gather some stones, sticks, or other things found in nature, and bring them home to paint! Then, feel free to display them around your home, or in your “nature box!" I got and claimed this “nature box" from Michael's Craft Store for $7!
Bake & bond
This is definitely more of a “parent involved" activity, but I guarantee that your toddler will love to help POUR, MIX, and EAT whatever you bake together! It doesn't have to be fancy because any time spent together baking will likely be a memory that you’ll both remember forever! Leave your favorite recipe to bake with your toddler down below!
Classic Fort-Making
Whip out the blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to get creative making a cozy hideout! (Playing rain sounds off of your phone is optional to reenact and create Noah's Ark which is what we did, haha!) Give your children permission to “go wild,” and use their imagination because messes can be cleaned, but lost time with your littles can’t be regained!
I hope you enjoyed these 5 activities that your toddlers can do while at home! I pray you all find your strength restored, and take this season as a opportunity to learn and make more memories with your children. I want to encourage you that you’re doing a wonderful job providing a sense of normalcy during this time that feels anything but normal for us all.
If you’d enjoy more of these toddler/baby activities, please let me know in the comments below! I always respond! You can tag me if you recreate any of these activities while at home, and see what my family and I are up to on Instagram @ Coolmomandcollected. Have a wonderfully active, at-home day!
Cool, Calm, and Collectedly Yours,
