Nannies
10 Activities to Keep Toddlers Entertained and Busy
Sometimes keeping toddlers entertained can be a bit of a challenge. One minute they’re completed occupied with one thing, then all of a sudden they’re onto the next. Toddlers love to keep busy but should also be encouraged to focus on one thing at a time as much as possible. This will develop their attention span and (hopefully!) enable you to remain sane and keep things relatively cleaned and picked up. Enjoy trying each one of these fun activities!
- Go for a walk outside.
This is a great way to get some of their early morning energy out as well as get some fresh air. Toddlers love to constantly be moving around and going for a walk is an easy way to keep them busy. However, don’t go in with the mindset of getting from point A to point B. Toddlers tend to meander, pick up rocks on the ground, point at a bird, and smell a flower. Use this as an opportunity to slow down as well and see the world from their perspective.
- Play Follow the Leader.
Toddlers love to play this game. They are learning to model behaviors and repeat words, so a game of Follow the Leader makes perfect sense to them. Do simple actions like walking backwards, spinning in a circle, jumping, and clapping your hands. Then take turns letting them be the leader and you follow them!
What is so addicting about blowing bubbles? We may never know, but toddlers love this activity. Get various size bubble wands and blow bubbles for them so they can chase them around the yard and try to pop them. The game is trying to pop them before they hit the ground!
- Music
I’ve yet to meet a toddler that didn’t love music or to dance. Put on some tunes and dance around the living room! This is also a good time to practice singing the ABC’s or any other educational song.
- Play in a Sandbox
This can get a little messy, but that’s when you know you’re having the most fun. Toddlers love to feel the cold sand squish between their fingers and toes. Get some beach toys and build tiny sand castles or draw pictures in the sand.
- Arts and Crafts
With a toddler, doing arts and crafts can be a little tricky. Remember its best at this age to keep things rather simple. Coloring in a coloring book, water-color paint, felt boards with scenery and characters, etc. Take a look around the house, almost anything can become an art project!
- Reading
Toddlers love to be read to and the more animated, the better! Pick a few books with a simple story line and colorful pictures. Take your time going through each page asking them what they see and pointing to different animals and colors.
- Sprinkler Fun
If it’s summer time, grab a yard sprinkler and go to town! Toddlers will absolutely love running through the dancing water and getting splashed and cooled off from the hot sun. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
- Sidewalk Chalk
This is a great outdoor activity for toddlers. Granted, they might not be able to draw too much yet, but they’ll love feeling the chalk in their hand and seeing the different colors it can make. Draw shapes for them and get them to guess, draw a game of hopscotch, or just squiggly and zig zag lines for them to walk on.
10. Play with Play Dough
This is a classic form of entertainment for a toddler but it never fails! They love to squish it in their hands and roll it into balls. You can make your own play dough or use store-bought; either way, it’s sure to be a hit!
Author: Crimson – Placement Coordinator
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