For a busy mom like me entertaining my toddler is an even more difficult task than cooking. I've founds these simple crafts and activities which is keeping my son happy for now. I thought I would share if it helps you.
1. Bubble ArtThis recipe is guaranteed to keep the TV turned off, and, best of
all, cleanup is surprisingly easy. You can make note cards and
stationery with bubble prints.
What You Will Need:
1/2 cup bubble solution
Small plastic bowl
2 tablespoons tempera paint
White typing paper cut in halves or fourths
Drinking straw
Pour the bubble solution into the bowl. Whisk in the tempera paint.
Use the straw to blow into the bubble solution and make a heap of
bubbles. Remove the straw and gently lay a piece of paper over the
bubbles. The paper will absorb the paint and make a print of your
bubbles! Or, blow the bubbles like crazy until they're spilling out of
the bowl and onto paper next to the bowl. When the bubbles pop, they
will leave their print.
2. Purse Game
Ages: 3-5
Location: Indoors, Car
Skills: Thinking
What you'll need:
Your purse and its contents or
The contents of your pockets and wallet
Background:
Help your child practice classifying by playing a simple game with items from your purse, or from your pocket and wallet.
What to do: Empty out your purse and let the
child look through the objects. Ask the child about the objects and see
if he or she knows what all of them are. Then ask the child, "What are
some different ways we could put some of these things together?" Be
aware that a 3-year-old will find only a few ways and may just want to
handle the items. The young child may see them as "things that belong
to my mom or dad." Show the younger child that the items might be
grouped by big things and small things, or by general color or by
general shape. 4 - and 5-year-olds will find many ways to group the
items -- by color shape, size, what they are made out of, how they
sound and how they are used
3. Babies Collage
What you will need
• Old magazines such as Parenting, Child, Working Mother or Parents
• Scissors
• Glue or paste
• Cardboard
How to do
This activity is ideal for children who are expecting a baby sister
or brother. Go through some old magazines with your child and find
pictures of babies and the things that babies need, such as diapers,
bedding, toys, clothes, etc. Cut them out and then you and your child
can arrange them on the piece of cardboard like a collage. Glue the
pictures onto the cardboard and then hang the collage where your child
can see it often and talk about it.
4. Simon Says
• Ages three and up
• Two or more players (more fun with more players!)
• Indoor or outdoor activity
• Competitive or noncompetitive
How to Play
• An adult or the birthday child is Simon at first. Simon faces the
rest of the group, who stand where they can see Simon well.
• Simon gives commands for the children to follow, such as "Simon says, 'Clap your hands,"' or "Simon says, 'Kick your feet."'
• The children are to obey only those commands that begin with the
words "Simon says." If the command does not begin with these words (for
example, "Jump up and down"), the players should ignore it.
Competitive version: Any player who obeys a
command not preceded by "Simon says" is out. Speed up the game as the
children get good at it. The last player left wins.
Noncompetitive version: Enjoy a good laugh with
the child who obeys a wrong command, but do not send this child out of
the game. Keep on playing until interest wanes.
Kids get bored of activities and crafts pretty soon . So, it helps if we have a good collection of ideas to keep exchanging. Do you have any more to share ?
