Toddler Activities
By Stephanie Brown, About.com Guide to Toddlers
Your toddler needs structured as well as unstructured play time to develop normally. Try to create a day for your child that is well-balanced. Choose activities that are loud and quiet, indoors and outdoors, those that require small muscles like finger painting, large muscles like running or playing with a ball and cognitive skills like simple puzzles. If you need help planning toddler activities, give these a try.
Homemade Toddler Activities
Activities you plan for your child that involve those things you have handy can be just as fun as the store-bought items. You can make your own playdough, bubbles and even paints. The best part is that they'll also save you money.
- Playdough Recipes
- Finger Paint Recipes
- Paint Recipes
- Bubble Recipes
- Make Your Own Dry Erase Board or Chalk Board
- Make a Flannel Board
- Make Your Own Musical Instruments
- Make Sidewalk Chalk
- Make Cornstarch Clay
- Make Feelie Bags
Summer Toddler Activities
Summer often affords families more time for activities. That also means more planning. If you're looking for ideas for fun in the sun this year, add some of these activities to your calendar.
- 30 Days of Summer Fun Newsletter
- Take a Road Trip with Your Toddler
- Make a Suncatcher
- Hit the Beach
- Go Camping
Toddler Books
Reading is something your toddler can benefit from every day. It will increase your child's vocabulary and lay the foundation for much of his future learning. It's also just a whole lot of fun.
- Great Books to Start Your Toddler's Library
- Parents Share Their Favorite Board Books
- Books About Potty Training
- Books About Sports and Physical Activities
- Books to Read When a New Baby is On the Way
- Make a Sleep Book for Your Toddler
Toddler Activities for Large Motor Skills Development
Once your toddler is on the move, it may seem that all he wants to do is work those large muscle groups. Walking, running, kicking and throwing - it's all so new to him and so much fun. Here are some more ways your toddler can develop large motor skills.
- How to Plan More Physical Activities for Your Toddler
- Things to Do Indoors
- Things to Do Outdoors
- Play Follow the Leader
- Dance
Toddler Toys
Toys can provide many hours of education and entertainment for your toddler. They're also one of the ways that your child experiences unstructured play time, which is important for making connections in the brain, gaining independence and learning problem solving skills.
- Toys that Help Toddlers Learn to Walk
- The Toys You Loved Can Be the Toys Your Toddler Loves, Too
- Simple, Inexpensive Toddler Toys
Toddler Activities Videos
Watch these videos to learn more about age-appropriate activities and safety issues to keep in mind when planning things for your toddler to do.
