Activities for 1 & 3 Year Olds

I have a similar problem. I'd like to be crafty, but I have no good ideas of what to do. I just signed up for a newsletter at this web site- http://www.kidscraftweekly.com/. I've only gotten one issue, but it looks like there will be some good ideas. Good luck!

There are a bazillion ideas on www.enchantedlearning.com Enjoy! :)

Some fun Christmas activities can be found at these two websites: www.northpole.com and www.childmade.com.
Have fun!
M.

HI H.-

I got the best ideas from a mom on this site for an easy craft. Buy contact paper. They have clear and white. Cut off a sheet and then tape the non sticky side down to the table. Remove the backing to expose the sticky side. Give your kids glitter, confetti, scrap paper, feathers, whatever and let them stick away. Then when you are ready to clean up, everything is stuck to the contact paper. I did this and gave my daugther foam shapes and bright colored feathers and tissue paper. She had a blast at 18 months old. The intial purchade might be a little pricey, but a little contact paper goes a super long way and I totally pull off the feathers and foam shapes for the next time.
have fun!

I use "The Toddler's Busy Book" by Trish Kuffner. It's got over 300 activity ideas, using inexpensive/household stuff and simple craft supplies. As your daughter gets older, there's also a "Preschooler's Busy Book" for the 4 and 5 year old set.

The library has all sorts of craft and activity books. The children's librarian can help you find something age appropriate. Many books have games and projects that use materials you probably already have around your house.

I also keep a stock of craft supplies on hand and let my kids come up with their own ideas. I recycle stuff to put into the art closet. Here's a sample:
-large cardboard sheets, found between toilet paper pkgs at costco. good for posters or making play houses.
-gallon of glue, cheap at the hardware store, pour into a small paper bowl and apply with a popsicle stick.
-fabric scraps
-wrapping paper scraps, cut into squares for origami
-junk mail, use the back side of the colorful paper.
-old national geographics, great photos to cut out
-drinking straws from the dollar store
-any odds and ends like buttons, feathers, shoe laces for collages.
-old shower curtains, when the little holes break at the top, they become drop cloths to protect the floor for messy art.

Now is a great time to make Christmas ornaments. You can cut out shapes from cardboard, glue beans and peas in a pattern or not, edge in lace or gold ribbon. Make picture frame ornaments from popsicle sticks in a "squarish" shape, add decoration like sequins on top, glue a photo of your child in the center. Fimo dough is on sale this week at Michaels, shape, poke a paper clip into the top for a hanger, bake. Cut and/or roll scraps of colored felt into pretty designs. Make sure you mark the child's name and date with a sharpie pen onto the back of the creation. Our tree is full of these treasures. Send me a message and I can send pix.

check out the website familyfun.com I would also recomend the magazine. A good book is The Arts and Crafts Busy Book 365 Art and Craft Activities to keep Toddlers and Preschoolers busy. Have fun!

From my early childhood education classes, I can tell you that crafts don't teach children anything except for how to follow directions. The one year old would especially be too young. The best advice that I can give is a variety of open ended art activities. You can use different types of paint with different types of paper. You can also use finger paint. Other finger paints you can use are shaving cream (non menthol) and chocolate pudding. Crayons are great. The smaller the child, the bigger the crayon and paper should be. I get freezer paper and tape a large piece to the kitchen table. An easel would also be a great investment. Small children need the larger space to do art. They are not developmentally ready for smaller crayons and paper. Remember that scribbling is a very important milestone. Also, play dough and clay are amazing at getting their fine motor muscles developed. It also helps children express their emotions. I would also suggest baking with them. If you want more ideas just send a message. I have my Early Childhood degree and teach preschool. I also have a 8 year old, 2 year old and 5 month old (all boys!).

Check your local library...they usually have a story times that are age appropriate and last about an hour. I know the one I take my 2 1/2 year old to has stories, songs, games, and toys. It is a great way to get out of the house and for him to play with other kids...plus it's FREE!!

Hi, H.--

Have you checked out the Family Fun website? It is the accompaniment to the magazine and there are loads of ideas on there. In fact, I believe you can still select the age group for appropriate activities. I am on their email list and get ideas sent to me all the time.

Good luck! I know we all struggle with being cooped up inside during this time of year.

Honestly, I just bought my kids some craft supplies, gave them a place to work that was easy to clean, and let them figure out what they wanted to do. Sometimes its just coloring, sometimes it's playing play-dough, sometimes it's an all-out glitter fest! At their age, just having something that is a change of pace can be good.

Also, music is an easy way to get kids going when the outside looks bad. Dance music, upbeat stuff, whatever. You might have some fun with it too!

Get a membership for the CHildrens Museum. There is a lot to do there, and the kids love it. I love it too, great place to people watch and watch kids having a lot of fun.

Making christmas ornaments out of pipe cleaners or popsicle sticks is always fun. My mother in law likes to make reindeer by tracing her grandkids hands on constuction paper and using the handprints as the antlers and then making a head shape also on construction paper and then glue on the antlers. If you want one that will last for years make it one those sheets of flexible foam stuff that you can find at craft stores.
H.

My son for years...for years would only eat white foods. He ended up growing to 6 foot 2 inches. I let him choose his own foods, but that is the only food that was available. All healthy, fresh fruit and vegetables. No junk foods. No sweets. If he is eating some meats, you are doing good. Mix them with the fruits and vegetables and you are feeding him a well balanced diet.