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You interact with your toddler throughout the day, from early morning visits to your bed to the last kiss goodnight. But on long, stressful days, getting in quality time with your little munchkin can be a challenge. Aim to schedule at least one toddler activity each week that is just for the two of you. This offers you both a chance to slow down, share an experience and appreciate all the things you love about one another.
Here are five toddler activities that allow any grown-up to join in on the fun — whether that's a grandparent, Dad, guardian, or caregiver — the point is, you'll both have fun spending time together!
Cooking with kids: A fun and educational toddler activity
Cooking is one of those toddler activities that can be tailored to age and ability level. Whether it's baking and decorating cupcakes or working on crafts for the table, any activity designed to keep little hands busy for more than five minutes is a good one.
1. Explore math, science, and chemistry in the kitchen with your toddler.
Invite your toddler to be your helper for a special meal celebrating a potty-training milestone or a family member's birthday. Promote hand-eye coordination by letting your little one sprinkle ingredients over pizza and stir ingredients.
This is a great opportunity to explain kitchen safety and incorporate those counting and measuring skills. You may even be able to coax your toddler into trying new foods, all while you dance to his favorite music and talk about how much the family will love the foods you make together.
"Much of picky eating may be related to negative thoughts and memories about certain foods or eating in general. Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor at Harvard Health Publishing wrote on the Harvard Health Blog. "The more that you are upbeat and positive about eating, the more likely your child will be that way too."
2. Make a dinnertime centerpiece or tablescape element together.
Rolling candles from beeswax sheets is a fun toddler activity, as is working together to create a photo album or painting for an upcoming relative's birthday.
Hana Khatib explained how to roll a beeswax candle in a video on the A Child's Dream Youtube Channel. "When you're done with this project they make beautiful candles for starting your day or starting a meal; this project is very easy and only takes a few minutes to do," the homeschooling mom of four explained.
You could also work on a handprint craft to decorate the table with or give it away as a gift. Paint your hand with one shade of paint and press it onto a canvas. Let it dry, then cover your tot's hand in a different shade and press it over the center of your print. Handmade place cards, placemats, and flower arrangements are also excellent activities for young children.
Minimize mess by corralling all supplies on a dedicated activity table for toddler crafts to make clean-up easier.
Go on a toddler-and-me date
Spending quality time together is one of the best ways to bond with your child and what better way than with a mommy-and-me date. Here are some ideas for your next toddler activity adventure.
3. Go big and plan a fancy date with your toddler.
Both of you can get all dressed up and go out for breakfast or lunch. An older toddler might be able to sit through an animated movie or local children's play.
4. Go casual and explore a new museum, park, or library in your area.
This can be as simple as taking a new route to the park or visiting a different library than usual. It could also be a bigger expedition, like wandering a nature path at a state park or taking a boat tour on a nearby river or lake.
Consider involving your toddler in the planning. Create a list of things you might expect to see or do on this adventure, and check them off as you go.
Make the most of storytime with your toddler
Research indicates that children who are read to at least three times per week — outside of school — are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to their counterparts who are not read to as often. Give your toddler the best headstart by making the most of storytime.
5. Extend storytime with a fun interactive toddler activity
Make your child an active participant rather than a passive one; try substituting your child's name for that of a character in the book. Ask your toddler to predict what will happen next or using props such as puppets.
Encourage literacy and ask your little one to "read" his favorite book to you, or act out a story you've just finished using stuffed animals. Keeping a log of books you've read together will not only help you keep track but also make your toddler feel invested in storytime. Simply buy a blank book and note the title of each new book you read, with an accompanying illustration by your toddler.
