Activities For Toddlers

• Cut out some foam shapes, put a little water in a bowl, and let your toddler make Foam "Stained Glass." It's amazing how much fun dipping a foam shape in water and sticking it on the window is for a toddler. And no mess to clean up afterwards excepting a water puddle. We're all for no-mess activites. :)
• Build a Fort!!!!! It's amazing the hours of fun that begin with a queen sized sheet and a dining room table.
• Nature Play with Toddlers: Dandelion Curls
• Animal Print Art...I got the inspiration from No Time For Flashcards, and LBB loves this activity. Here's his most recent Animal Print Art creation:

         We use his Schleich animals...and it's so much fun. Very Jackson Pollock-ish.

• Have them help you in the kitchen! When LBB is getting antsy, all it takes is a little "helper-time" to get him sidetracked from any trouble he was getting into. :) One of our favorite things to make together? My Grandma's Refrigerator Pickles. He gets to watch me cut cucumbers and onions. He helps put them in the bowl. He sprinkles the salt over, and then after the hour he gets to see how the excess liquid from the veggies is drained out. He loves mixing the vinegar and sugar, and has a blast pouring it over the cucumbers and onions. And the best part? 3 days of getting to help shake the jar before they are ready. :)
• Let them have a chore. Yeah, sure they're toddlers. But toddlers LOVE to feel grown-up. LBB's "chore"? Feed the cats. He takes his job VERY seriously. He feeds them in the morning and before bed. And he even picks out cat treats at the store to give them at snacktime. :) He alternates which treats he gives them, and even hand delivers treats to the more finicky cat in our house. He adores having responsibility. 

Keep checking back as we add to the list! Remember, when in doubt, just follow your toddler's lead! They are a natural when it comes to finding things to do. Just keep safety in mind!