The Everything Toddler Activities Book (5 page)

This game is easy to set up and will entertain your toddler for quite a while.

1. Thread the streamer in a trail around the room or house. Weave it around the couch, under the table, and so on—the goal is to make an interesting and challenging path for your child to follow.
   
2. Attach a favorite toy or a small prize at the end of the streamer for your child to find.
   
3. Give your child the loose end and have him follow along the path to find the treasure.
   

You and your child can make these decorations to suit any season or interest.

1. Mix food coloring with glue, a different color in each bottle.
   
2. Let your child squeeze the glue onto the transparency to create his picture or design. Filled areas work better than outlines. You can place a pattern under the clear sheet as a template for a design. Leave a hole at the top of your design for hanging the decoration later.
   
3. Let dry for 1 day and remove from plastic.
   
4. Thread a length of string or fishing line through the hole; hang decoration in front of a window.
   
5. To store, wrap securely in plastic wrap and keep in a cool place.
   

CHAPTER 3

What to Do on a Rainy Day

What do you do when the weather is rainy or cold, and your child is stuck inside all day? Dr. Seuss addressed this problem in one of his best-known stories,
The Cat in the Hat
. The children in this story seemed to be doomed to sit forlornly by the window watching the rain, until the Cat in the Hat comes to entertain. Fortunately you don’t need to juggle fish or fly a kite in the kitchen to turn a gray day into a fun day.

Young children need plenty of opportunities to move around. They need time and space to run and romp. You can usually meet this need by allowing your child to go outside, but what do you do when the weather is bad? Here are some indoor activities that will give your child a chance to burn some of her pent-up energy.

This is a classic activity that will help your child develop motor skills.
If you don’t have beanbags, you can simply use rolled-up socks.

1. Give your child 3 or 4 beanbags and show her how to gently toss them.
   
2. Be creative in choosing a receptacle. Empty boxes or laundry baskets work well.
   
3. Let your child toss the beanbags into the receptacle.
   

Here is a great way to get your child moving. Perhaps you can get the whole family to join in.

1. Position the lamp in the middle of the room, leaving plenty of space between the lamp and the wall.
   
2. Turn on the bright lamp and darken the rest of the room. Aim the lamp directly at the wall. Stand your toddler in front of the lamp so that her shadow is cast clearly on the wall.
   
3. Put on the music and encourage your child to dance so that her shadow dances, too. For a cool-down activity, show your child how to use her hand to create simple shadow puppets.
   

When your child is stuck indoors, you will be happy to have an activity that helps her use her
large motor skills and burn off steam. You do want to stress to your child that this is a special
activity that can only happen with your approval and supervision.

1. Find a safe place in your home to set up a miniature obstacle course.
   
2. Set out pillows to use as stepping stones or hurdles. Use blankets to create tunnels. The path may also make your child navigate furniture, such as crawling under a table or climbing over the ottoman.
   

Here is a simplified version of the classic game that will help your child with color recognition. You can still use the commercial game mat or create your own playing space, as described below.

1. Tape the colored circles onto a hardwood or linoleum floor.
   
2. Call out one simple direction at a time—for example, “Put your foot on a blue spot.” To add a challenge when your child has mastered the basic game, you can cut some of the circles into different shapes to test both her shape and color recognition.
   

When bad weather is approaching, you may be facing more of a challenge than entertaining your child. It is common for young children to be frightened of storms. You need to set a good example—if you remain calm and nonchalant, chances are your child will stay calm as well. These activities will keep your child occupied and may even distract him from his anxiety.

Be sensitive to your child’s fears. If he doesn’t like loud noises, he may not like this activity.
However, some children who are frightened of thunder may feel a greater sense of control
when they can safely duplicate the noise.

1. Play the recording for your child. Discuss what he hears and try to figure out what is scary about the noises.
   
2. Show your child how to bang and rattle the metal cookie sheets to simulate the sound of thunder. Ask your child to come up with other ways to make thunder sounds, which may include banging on pots and pans or a toy drum.
   

Rain sticks have long been popular as musical instruments in other cultures. But you don’t have to go to a fancy import store at the mall to buy one—your child can make one out of materials you have around the house. Many children find the sound of a rain stick to be very soothing.

1. Let your child color the tube for decoration.
   
2. Fasten 1 tinfoil square on the end of the tube with masking tape. Leave the other end open until the tube is filled.
   
3. Help your child fit the pipe cleaner into the tube. Assist her in pouring in the rice.
   
4. Close the other end of the tube with the second square of tinfoil. Show your child how to tilt the stick back and forth to create the rain noise.
   

You don’t have to always stay in when the weather is dreary. You won’t melt, and there is a lot of fun to be had during a warm summer’s rain. Be sure to return inside if there is any lightening in the area.

Your child will enjoy livening up the yard with these beautiful but temporary creations.
This works well with chalk too.

1. Go outside before the rain comes or while it is just drizzling.
   
2. Let your child paint on the sidewalk or cement area to create any pictures he wishes.
   
3. Observe how the water makes the colors run.
   

This is a great way to encourage your children to use observation and problem-solving skills.

1. Show your child how to use a stick or his finger to create a small trench in a patch of dirt where the rainwater can flow.
   
2. Encourage him to clear leaves to create mini rivulets.
   
3. Show your child how to lead the paths so that the water flows downhill.
   

Once your shelter is built, you may wish to spend some cozy time in there snuggling or reading a story.

1. Help your child spread a poncho or tarp to create a tent or lean-to. You may drape the cloth over a piece of patio furniture, a large branch, or a fence.
   
2. Use clothes’ pins or duct tape to fasten as needed.
   

Try this activity during different times when the rain fall is heavy and light.
Let your child explore further by transferring water from one container to another.

1. Involve your child in selecting different containers. Point out why some will work better: Wide necks, no holes etc.
   
2. Have your child experiment by placing the containers in different locations. Can she collect more rain if the container is under a drain spout or under a tree or out in the open?
   

You don’t have to wait until you win the lottery to spend a day in paradise. There is no better way to beat the winter blues than to have a day at the beach in your very own home. Don’t be surprised if the rest of the family wants to join in on the fun.

With a little effort and creativity, it is easy to transform your living room into a wonderful surfside paradise. You can always find fun, tropical-themed props at your local party supply store, too.

1. Set up the beach towels and the umbrella as you would if you were at the beach.
   
2. Cut out a palm tree trunk from the construction paper, and cut sections of crepe paper for the fronds. Crease each frond into a wide “V” before attaching them to the trunk. Post the completed palm tree on the wall using the wall adhesive.
   
3. Hang any other themed posters or props, and play your favorite tropical music.
   

Here is a fun twist on a simple scavenger hunt. You can alter the complexity of
the challenge based upon your child’s ability.

1. Hide a number of seashells in a room. Make some easy to find, and choose more challenging hiding places for others.
   
2. Give each child a pail, and encourage all of them to find as many shells as they can.
   

This activity will help your child develop motor skills as she exercises her imagination. You can add to the fun by having your child dress in appropriate beach attire, such as a swimsuit and sunglasses.

Ask your child to pantomime various actions that take place at a beach. Possibilities include swimming, jumping over the waves, walking on hot sand, or surfing.

This is a fun game for all ages. When you are playing with young children, take the emphasis off of completion and point scoring. If you are worried about using a ball inside, use a balloon instead. Watch for popped balloons as the pieces can be a choking hazard.

1. Hang the sheet between 2 chairs, low enough for players to see over the top while they are seated.
   
2. Divide children into 2 equal groups, and seat groups on opposite sides of the sheet.
   
3. Show players how to gently volley the ball or balloon over the sheet.