Parents are busy people. But even if you are busy, this should not be an excuse not to set aside special time to hang with your toddler and family. Make every moment together count with these fun family activities for toddlers.

Hit The Beach

Who does not love spending time at the beach? Toddlers and the beach go hand-in-hand. There is so much your toddler and your family can do in the sand and in the water. Bring beach balls to kick around, sand pails, shovels and other sand toys for your little one to play with. Collect seashells. Build sand castles. Let him explore this beautiful environment (but be sure to stay close to your toddler at all times). Do not forget to pack beach-friendly snacks and drinks and most importantly, sunscreen.

Go On An Educational Outing

One of the most fun family activities for toddlers is going on a trip with the family. You do not have to take a plane to go to another country. Explore the city. Pack up the whole family in the car and visit a museum near you. Toddlers can learn so much from museums. Head to the zoo and watch your toddler’s (and your husband’s) eyes widen in amazement as he sees the colorful parrots. Most zoos have a petting station where children can touch or feed them and hold child-friendly animal shows which is a great opportunity for your little one to learn more about animals. Bring a stroller, some snacks, water and the camera.

Host A Sports Event

A family sports event is a great excuse to get everyone in the family to exercise while having loads of fun. Any sport will do, just modify it to your toddler’s needs to make it easier without taking the fun out for older family members. You can hold a Wiffle ball tournament, play bowling, basketball, soccer or kickball. Prepare prizes for your toddler and for each family member.

Cook Meals Together

Cooking is also considered as one of the most fun family activities for toddlers. Invite your whole crew to help you prepare a special dish for dinner. Give your little one his own apron and chef’s hat and ask him to wash the vegetables or stir ingredients together while the elders chop and fry. Eating the food everyone helped cook will be so much yummier and sweeter. Plus, it will be a delight to hear and laugh about how your toddler’s face was smeared with flour.

Hold A Movie Night

Watching movies is another great family activity to do with toddlers. Each week, hold a family movie night in your living room. Take turns choosing the film. Pop some corn, allow your toddler to drink a glass of juice or soda, dim down the lights and get cozy. You can even use decorations to set the mood. Afterwards, you can talk about the movie and point out the lessons of the movie.

Get Crafty

Do-it-yourself projects are an excellent bonding activity for the family. Cover the table, floors and walls with newspaper and invite the whole gang to unleash their inner Picasso. Some toddler-appropriate craft ideas include finger painting, homemade family photo book, sticky wall collages, personalized greeting cards and finger puppets.

Read Books

Grab a pile of children’s books and hold a family book reading session once a week. Take turns picking a book and reading. If your toddler still has difficulty reading words, help him by reading aloud together. Discuss it afterwards. Reading is a fun family activity for toddlers and is also very educational. It helps boost your toddler’s language skills, memory, imagination, critical-thinking and attention span.

These are just some of the most fun family activities for toddlers. There are still countless of ideas you can try and explore. While your toddler is still young, grab the chance to foster family ties as this will benefit him later in the life.

Doing the things that you and your family love to do is a great way to build strong bonds. With family bonding, you get to do activities together. You not only strengthen the bond in your family but you also serve as a good example to your toddler.

Family Bonding Can…

Make Your Toddler Happy and Positive

It is within the family where a toddler can either flourish or deteriorate. Simple things like watching movies, dining out, walking the dog and doing household chores together can make your toddler happy. Family bonding ensures your toddler that he is accepted which in turn helps him accept the little things in life. The more he feels it, the more he is encouraged to try new things with his family and that tight bond he shares with each family member will help your toddler develop into a bright, healthy and good individual.

 Provide A Strong Support System

Lack of family bonding makes toddlers susceptible to doing destructive things such as cheating, stealing and doing drugs. Having a close family bond is like a secure harbor wherein your toddler can find refuge. It instils in him the idea that he can trust you, that you will pick him up when he falls down and that he can find solace in his parents whatever triumphs and storms (from falling down as a toddler when practicing how to walk to moving on after his first heartbreak) your toddler will go through in life. Simple family bonding activities like storytelling, hugs and kisses, eating out and daily conversations give structure, protection and a sense of warmth. These assures your toddler of your love and establishes confidence in his parents.

Boost Self-confidence

Regular family bonding is a way for toddlers to get positive reinforcement. The healthy feedbacks you give to your little one affects his personality. Once your toddler knows he has a close-knit family, his self-image improves, he becomes more open with his peers and will not hold grudges. Also, studies have shown that typical family bonding activities (e.g. board games, watching TV, playing, etc.) helps toddlers function more productively which in turn increases their level of confidence.

 Improves Communication

Knowing your little one can talk to you anytime encourages your toddler to become more open and trustworthy. Bonding time will greatly help you eliminate any barrier between you and your child. A simple conversation about you and your husband’s childhood and adolescent experiences will not only keep both you and your young one laughing but it also builds a strong foundation between parent and child.

Reinforces Respect

Time spent together with mommy and daddy playing tag or swimming shows your toddler the importance of respect (whether he wins or loses), taking turns, waiting and sharing. Hence, your toddler will realize that he can do so much more with good behaviour than by displaying his tantrums. Your toddler will use less talking back and more listening. Also, creative play allows your toddler to release his frustrations in a non-violent and fruitful way, eliminating aggressive behaviors.