Activities for Toddlers?

I have three small children also. I asked this before and I got many great responses but most of them included going out places and I just can't really do that with all three of them. I had my husband put a gate on out porch so that we could lock them in. Then I put lots of toys (all of them baby safe) and let the kids just play. Then I could clean the front of the house while they play. Then when it is time for the baby to sleep, we pull out art and craft things.... COLOR WONDER IS AMAZING! I live in a small apartment so I know all about the no mess games. Color wonder markers and paints are my kids fav. things to play with. I love it too because there is no mess. We played kick the can to make our own icecream and then when we were all tired from our soccer game, we got to eat a sweet treat. recipiezaar.com has some really easy recipies for icecream. they even have some that you can make in a ziplock bags. I love that site! We have daily dance parties where we show off our "smooth moves" he he he.

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A.,

I have a FANTASTIC book that you should check out...it is called The Arts and Crafts Busy Book. Its for toddlers and preschoolers...but I have to admit, that I can't wait until my son is old enough so I can do them! :) I bought mine at Barnes & Noble.

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This sounds funny but great for both ages, plus it cleans at the same time. It sounds a little weird but I used to be a daycare teacher and when I was making the monthly plan the kids always wanted this to be a weekly event. Get some shaving cream from the dollar store. Spray it all over a hard surface. (I never did it on wood.) Let them go to town. They will rub it all over the table and the best part is it cleans them and the table while they are having fun. I bet u could do it on the kitchen floor too, or anywere for that matter, even the high chair. U have to be involved so they don't eat it or stand up while in the kitchen. To clean up all u have to do is wet a rag and wipe. For the floor a mop would work. Or give them towels while singing the cleanup song. With that song clean up time becomes fun time. Again participate so they see u laughing, singing and cleaning.
Clean up, clean up, everbody do your share,
Clean up, clean up, everyone, everywhere.

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My son is 21 months and I am always trying to find things for him to do inside besides watching cartoons. We color with crayons, do stickers, and playdough (only in his high chair). You can even make playdough. There are a few easy recipes and have your kids help. You can also go to the craft store and they have tons of stuff. I bought some feathers and colored pompoms today at Walmart and my son and I glued them to a foam picture frame. I think it cost us like $6 bucks for a ton of supplies that should keep him busy for a few more projects. Someone also told me that Michael's has a dollar section that has little crafts in it. I might go check that out. Hope some of the ideas helped.

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Whooo! You are busy!! How about stripping the kids down and putting them in an empty bathtub with a slew of fingerpaints and paper. Encourage them to stay on te paper (less clean up for later) and point out how to mix colors (they'll be amazed at your magical skills!). In the summer, I put them in their swim suits and let them finger paint all over each other and then when they're done, we just hose'em down! They love it. This works for most any type of art. The key is confinement and easy clean-up. If you need ideas for project feel free to contact me (V.) at ____@____.com.

There are also programs all around Fresno that offer art experiences for kids of all ages. Downtown at the Met there is the hands-on exhibit that can take hours to get through, depending on your child's interest. There are even private citizens offering art classes in their own homes for a minimal fee. I was an art teacher for many years and I strongly encourage you to continue your pursuit of introducing art to your kids. I'm afraid they won't get much of it in school anymore. Good Luck!!

V.
P.S. A., if the art is just too much for you right now, turn on the radio and have dance contests. They'll get the exercise and attention they need ffrom you, as well as seeing exercise as something that's fun. Good luck!

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check out www.newbabycenter.com
Family to family offers free classes, and they're fun. They'll get you out of the house and doing something. The website above is for hte family to family on the west side of town. If you're east, there's anotherone in henderson. You can also look up the numbers in the phone book.

we also go to gymboree classes, and love it. but it is pricey.
We attend readings at the library once a week. While we're there we pick music and cd's to take home for hte week. We listen to music sometimes nad just do silly dances. We tumble around, they pretend to do yoga...etc.

besides that I try to take them to the park at least once a week.

Hi A.,

There are plenty things you can do, color, paint, read, go for walks and kind of arts and craft, you can look them up on the internet or you can put some music on and dance. I let my 3 year old clean with me, I do the dishes and he will take the broom and move it around the floor and he also vacuums, well I do the vacuuming and then let him run it around a bit and laundry, he gets a kick out of putting the clothes in the washer and throwing a fabric sheet in the dryer. lol Have fun expermenting. : )

Play hide-and-seek. I know it's "old school" but kids love it. Turn up the music and dance, this one is wonderful because it wears them out. No matter what activity you find, just remember to get down on their level and play.

my daughters favorite pastime was playing in the mud! Mud pies mud cakes ect.... I found sidewalk chalk was way less messy.All you need is a sidewalk or driveway ( make sure you block it off)
She would spend hours creating her artwork, and when she was done we would add a message for dad when he came home. Best of all it was sooo much fun even my mother came over to help! Oh and clean up... grab the hose and start over.

hi A.,
i love giving my girlfriend ideas about things to do with her little ones and i try them myself. little guys and gals love to explore and touch! hands on for everything, even if they can help make something safe. i have my 3 year old help me make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. i even like taking the kids outside to dig through and touch everything, safe of course. pine needles to leaves to small rocks or big ones. i also thought about making playdough from scratch, which would be fun for both child and adult. i think you could find the reciepe on-line. also try the huggies website. they have a great variety of activities for little ones too. have fun J.

If you haven't tried it yet, make sock puppets with them all my children love puppets, it keeps them busy and entertained.

I have a 2 yo daughter, and she likes to build forts in the living room with blankets. We just drape them over the sofa and chair. We build houses for her little dolls out of mega blocks, and then play with the doll house. I haven't tried this yet, but I was thinking of making a mini-ramp out of boxes to roll things down. She also likes to stand on a step stool in the kitchen and help pour ingrediants for smoothies into the blender (and of course she likes drinking the smoothie). It's hard to come up with stuff to do, especially in this rainy weather. I liked reading other people's ideas, too.

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hey there...i have a 4 year old and the last year we've been working on workbooks...there are so many different kinds out there for almost any age. another thing...if you have a library near by and are able to go to one, check to find out when their story time is. i know it's just as easy to do it at home, but i've found with my son and friends of mine kids, enjoy the fresh air and seem to listen better to other's than the parents at times :) Lastly, my son and i always make homemade decorations for the holiday coming up. Walmart usually has a section where they have seasonal crafts. Hope that helps :)

Read them stories, color with crayons, build with blocks.

Where do you live? There are tons of classes at the community centers and are you part of a Mom's group? Im with different moms almost every day from different groups.