Tag Archive | "toddler playtime"

Fun Family Activities For Toddlers


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.

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Fun Birthday Party Themes For Toddlers


Toddlers love birthday parties and nothing is as special as planning your toddler’s big day. If you are searching for fun birthday party themes for toddlers, check out these suggestions.

Superhero Theme

One of the most fun and classic birthday party themes for toddlers is a superhero theme. Set the mood for the party with great decorations such as superhero posters, capes and masks. Cover the tables in blues and reds. Do not forget the balloons and confetti. Keep the menu simple with foods in bright colors and shapes. Order a cake with a picture of his favorite superhero or in the shape of a superhero. Entertain the little partygoers with fun games such as a superhero training camp, Mr. Freeze dance, spider walk or pass the kryptonite. Of course, dress your little boy in his favorite superhero costume and request all guests to dress as a superhero such as Superman, Spiderman, Green Lantern or Wonder Woman.

Wild Wild West Theme

The cowboy theme is another favorite amongst toddler boys. Decorate the place with little rodeo hats, bandanas, a toy lasso and brown ruffles. Do not forget to place a couple of toy horses to make it even more authentic. The children can dress in cowboy outfits and play stick horse race (use a mini broomstick as a substitute for real ponies) and watch them ride their steeds merrily around the room. If your budget permits, why not make a call and rent a pony so each toddler can take turns riding a pony. For the perfect giveaway, give the children sheriff’s badge stickers or a photo of them riding the pony.

Pirate Theme

Another great birthday party theme for toddlers is the pirate theme. Transform your yard into a pirate ship with decors like old wooden signs, red and black accents and flags. Give the little ones eye patches and plastic swords to get the complete feel. Play games such as pin the eye patch on a pirate, walk the plank and of course treasure hunting games to make the party more exciting. Do not forget to give each guest a small loot of chocolate covered gold coins as a party favor.

Tea Party Theme

If your little girl loves to dress up, turn her birthday into a tea party. Send out invites on scented, dainty looking paper and ask the guests to dress in their pretty dresses, hats and gloves. Turn your home into a dainty cafe by using a flowery tablecloth, garland archway and other pretty items in pastel colors. Serve lemonade in mini china tea cups and finger sandwiches and cupcakes on saucers. For the games, play tea bag toss, sugar cube relay or pin the cup on the saucer. Add beaded necklaces and doilies in the goody bags.

Princess Theme

Every girl dreams of becoming a princess, so why not treat your little one as one during her special day? Ask the guests to dress like royalty. Lay a red carpet to give the guests a grand entrance and hand out tiaras while welcoming the children. Beautify the room with a balloon archway. Adorn a chair with balloons and anything pink so your little princess can sit on her throne. Use princess themed plates, napkins and streamers. Party games such as pass the poison apple, musical chairs and kiss the frog are perfect for keeping everyone busy.

Water Theme

Most toddlers love being in the water and this theme is perfect for your toddler’s summer birthday. Set-up an inflatable backyard pool, turn on the sprinkler or fill a watering can and let the toddlers go wild splashing each other. Do not forget to bring out water guns, toy buckets and shovels for some water games.

The list of birthday themes for toddlers is endless. All you have to do is to be creative and you will have that memorable birthday party for your precious one.

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How To Limit TV Time For Kids


Children these days are so glued to the shows they are watching that they can sit in front of the television for hours on end. However, too much TV is never good for anyone, especially for a growing child. Parents can try some of these helpful tips on how to limit TV time for kids.

Create A Screen Time Schedule

Setting boundaries is one of the most effective techniques on how to limit TV time for kids. Set TV viewing at 1 hour per day. Allow your toddler to watch TV only after he has done all of his homework. This will keep your toddler from going straight to the television when he gets home from school. Let him watch a certain number of shows a day. Or, you can also impose the “no TV during school days” rule. Whatever schedule you set, make sure you stick to it and if it is time for your toddler to watch TV, let him watch without interruptions from you. Children respond well to rules and will obey more readily if they know what is expected of them and if parents are firm of their rules.

Provide Specific Programming

Watch particular programs instead of mindlessly channel surfing. Watching specific shows keeps your little one more focused and aware. Plus, he is more likely to turn off the TV once the show he is watching is over.

Remove Televisions From Rooms

Place the TV in one area of your house, such as the living room or family room. Get rid of the TV in your toddler’s bedroom or in your kitchen. Only have one television in your house, if everyone is okay with the idea. By taking away extra TV’s, you can better monitor the amount of time your little one spends in front of the TV and increase family time.

Cover The TV When Not In Use

Use the “out of sight, out of mind” technique. Store the television in a cabinet or place a blanket over it when no one is watching TV. If your toddler does not see it, he will be less likely to be drawn to it.

Set A Family Time Each Night

Set aside a few hours (at least 1 to 2 hours) for family time every night. Cook dinner together, eat together, talk about your day, play games, walk around the neighbourhood, take a ride somewhere or watch TV as a family. Make those hours just family time.

Use TV As A Reward

Another tip on how to limit TV time for kids is by using television as an incentive. Allow your little one to watch TV for doing household chores, studying, having good grades or for good behaviour. Not only will this help your toddler do the things he has to do but it also gives your toddler a healthier outlook towards television, instead of thinking that the TV is just a regular part of life.

Encourage Other Activities

There are plenty of worthwhile alternatives toddlers can do aside from watching television. Have your toddler join a sports team or a dancing class. Encourage him to play outside, draw or paint. Play board games, hide and seek or tag. Help your toddler finish a jigsaw puzzle. Read books together. Share stories. Let him tag along whenever you run errands. Plan a day trip during the weekend.

Mind Your Own TV Time

Of course, these tips will not be effective unless you monitor your own TV time. Keep in mind that toddlers love to imitate their parents, hence, it is very important that you lead by example. If your little one sees you sitting on the couch all day watching TV shows, then no wonder your toddler spends most of his time in front of the television.

Reducing your toddler’s TV time can be a challenge. But if you are firm and consistent, all your efforts will definitely pay off in the long run.

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Children and Computers – Advantages and Disadvantages


Technology is so powerful that even the very young get hooked on it. Children and computers make a good team. But, it is important for parents to know the advantages and disadvantages of computers to children.

The Advantages

Educational Value

Academic growth is one the best advantages of computers to children According to a research, toddlers who use computers gain more learning which result to better development as compared to children who do not use computers. Clicking on icons teaches cause and effect. Teaching a toddler how to e-mail can improve his writing skills while searching the internet exposes a toddler to various resources which helps expand a child’s knowledge.

Boosts Motor Skills

Using a mouse and pressing keys gives your toddler’s chubby hands the same type of exercise he gets from drawing or coloring. These movements also improve hand-eye coordination that will pay off in the years to come as your toddler learns to tie his shoes, use scissors or throw a ball.

Hones Performance of Toddlers With Special Needs

Toddlers with special needs can greatly benefit from computers. There are a lot of activities and lessons designed for children with special needs you can find online. With these learning materials, a toddler with special needs is able to execute tasks he cannot normally do. In addition, since they are found online, it can be accessed by the toddler at his convenience unlike a special needs teacher.

Source of Entertainment

Another advantage of computers to children is entertainment value. Toddlers can spend a couple of minutes playing games online. There are a lot of child-friendly websites your toddler can visit to play games. Most of these websites are educational so a toddler can learn the ABC’s, numbers, shapes, words and other basic concepts he has to learn for preschool.

The Disadvantages

Limits Interaction With People

The main disadvantage of computers to children is that it limits social interaction. A toddler needs to interact with people, especially kids his age to hone his social skills and learn empathy.

Too Much Stimulation

Bold colors, loud sounds, flashing lights and continuous action can overwhelm a toddler. This can make a toddler irritable after a computer session and give him a hard time focusing on quieter activities such as reading.

Impedes Physical Development

Too much sedentary time is not only bad for your toddler’s posture but it also limits him from moving. Physical play is essential to toddler growth as it helps build strong muscles. Computers rob off a toddler’s chance to figure out how to stack blocks to construct a building or shovel sand into a bucket - hands-on activities that can help a toddler discover the world around him.

Vision Problems

A toddler who spends too much time staring at a computer is at risk of having childhood computer vision syndrome. Children are prone to this because computers require motor skills from eyes that are still underdeveloped.

In this modern time, computers are undoubtedly a part of a toddler’s development. While computers are beneficial to children, too much exposure can cause harm. Thus, it is important for parents to guide their children so they know how to balance cyberworld and real world.

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Sports For Toddlers – Tips For Introducing Your Toddler To Sports


Sports for toddlers is a form of recreation that helps them learn and hone their development at the same time. Introducing your toddler to sports is one of the best ways for him to try out and discover new things. Here are a few tips to get your toddler to love sports.

Introduce Different Sports

Let your toddler try as many sports as he can. Encourage your little one to try soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, figure skating, etc. Do not worry if your toddler does not show much interest in them. Just experiment with different sports. He will find his niche sooner or later.

Follow Your Toddler’s Lead

Another way to introduce sports to your toddler is to figure out where your toddler’s interests lie. Does he enjoy being in the water? Does he like to play games involving speed, strength and energy? Does he prefer activities involving less physical contact? The key here is to observe, not assume. By watching your toddler closely, you will get a clue on the kind of sport your little one is most likely to enjoy.

Start At Home

Do not immediately enroll your toddler in a program once you find out where his interests lie. Instead, play a game or two of his favorite sport in your yard. Most toddlers favour practicing at home and it will give your toddler a chance to explore his decision and decide if the sport is something he will truly enjoy doing. This is also a perfect time to motivate your toddler in sports.

Choose A Good Sports Program

Sign up your toddler for summer camps, clinics, classes or workshops. These programs have trained individuals who can help hone your toddler’s interests. Plus, your toddler will be able to interact with children who share the same interests as his which is also beneficial for his social development. Take time to observe various programs so you and your child will know what to expect and if the teaching style is excellent.

Expose Your Toddler

Aside from enrolling in programs and playing at home, watch games on TV or if possible, watch it live and explain to him what is going on. A crowded, cheerful stadium is a good way to convince your toddler that sports are awesome. Visit sport shops and point out the gears he might have to use in his sport. Read books (e.g. Pete The Cat: Play Ball!) and magazines (e.g. Sports Illustrated for Kids) about sports with him.

Get Involved

Children love doing things with their parents. Go swimming or bowling during the weekends. Ride your bicycles around the neighbourhood every afternoon. Attend your toddler’s practices so you can see him score a goal.

Praise Not Criticize

Every parent wants their children to succeed. However, keep your criticisms in check. Offer advice but do not be too hard on your toddler. Never belittle him and make comparisons. Give him a high five, a kiss, a hug and say “You did good, honey! I am so proud of you.” whether he loses or wins a game. The goal is to see him happy.

Most importantly, treat your toddler as a child, not an athlete who should focus on getting a college scholarship. Once you keep that in mind, you will not have any trouble getting your toddler to enjoy sports.

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Toddler Games – Eight Best Applications For Preschoolers


Toddler games are an important part of a toddler’s development. With today’s modernity, more and more toddlers are using iPhones and iPads to play games. To make sure they are learning while having fun, download these popular applications designed for preschoolers.

Wheels On The Bus

Wheels On The Bus is based on an interactive nursery rhyme song designed to provide preschoolers hours of creative fun. It is available in 5 different languages. Your toddler can read the lyrics while touching various objects on the screen to open bus doors, make whooshing sounds by touching the windshield wipers, turn the wheels, pop bubbles and even make a dog bark. Your toddler can also change the settings to hear the instrumental version. He can choose from cello, kazoo, piano and violin. There is even a recording feature which will truly delight your little karaoke master.

Preschool Music

This application will help unleash the musician in toddlers. It features a virtual keyboard with 4 musical activities – an underwater percussion, rhythm game, compose a tune that is narrated by a jolly parrot and a silly group of parrots that sing music in the round.

Preschool Adventure

From the developers of Preschool Music, Preschool Adventure also has the same colorful and simple graphics but focuses on educational games. Your little one can learn basic shapes, count to ten and match colors. This application also includes a game that will teach your toddler animal sounds and noises. It has tons of bright, expertly drawn characters that will surely entertain your toddler for hours on end.

Etch A Sketch

Etch A Sketch is a classic toy you might have played with as a youngster. Your preschooler can now create works of art virtually. He can use his finger or use the knobs to draw, change colors using the paint palette, shake to erase and even save drawings and import photos. Plus, it has various games and puzzles that will challenge your preschooler’s drawing skills.

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is an excellent way to introduce your toddler to colors, letters, numbers, shapes, counting and puzzle solving and matching. It has 6 different activities that is led by a cute monkey. Your preschooler can help the monkey stuff the lunchbox with fruit by solving the games. Once several activities have been completed, your toddler can select a cartoon sticker and tack it on a personalized virtual board.

First Words Sampler

In this game, your toddler is given a picture, the word illustrating the picture and jumbled letters. Your preschooler has to drag the letters to its corresponding place. This application teaches your toddler spelling, sounds, pronunciation and recognition.

Teach Me: Kindergarten

Teach Me: Kindergarten has 4 age-appropriate topics – addition, subtraction, sight words and spelling. You can choose subjects, difficulty levels and even pick a specific question. It is very easy so your toddler can play without asking for help. Your toddler can earn a coin for every 3 correct answers which can be used to purchase stickers to place in sticker scenes or to purchase fish to create a virtual aquarium.

Math Magic

Make Math easy and fun for your preschooler with this game. Math Magic introduces basic math concepts. It features a friendly voice that gently prompts preschoolers towards the correct answers and says “You can do it!” to encourage toddlers when they get the answer wrong. You can also set a timer to challenge your toddler and you receive a colored star for every 5 successful answers.

With these educational applications, your preschooler can spend plenty of time with your phone or tablet without feeling guilty about letting your toddler use them.

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Fun Summer Activities For Children


Sunny days, fresh air and children. They go naturally together. Keep your toddler active with this list of fun summer activities for children.

Water Play

The summer heat can drain your toddler’s energy. So why not enjoy a splash and recharge. From sprinklers to pools to water tables, there are plenty of ways to keep your little one entertained with water. Summertime is also the perfect time to teach your toddler how to swim. Water play provides your toddler an opportunity to stimulate his senses, experiment and of course, provide endless laughter and fun.

Organize A Picnic

A picnic is always great for toddlers. On a bright, sunny Saturday, invite your relatives or your friends for a picnic. Ask your toddler to assist you in preparing the food. He can help you make yummy finger foods such as small sandwiches, biscuits, sliced fruits and vegetables and trail mix. Do not forget to pack some juice and water. Grab a blanket and head to the park. Once lunch is over, your toddler and his peers can play tag or hide and seek and when they are exhausted from running, they can just lie in the grass and gaze at the sky.

Start A Collection

Satiate your toddler’s thirst for adventure by going on an expedition. Go around your backyard, neighbourhood or town and let him look for interesting items he can collect - leaves, bugs, rocks, rubber stamps, etc. This activity promotes a fun way to expose your toddler to different things which helps broaden his knowledge.

Go Fishing

This classic hobby is a fun way to boost the bond between dads and toddlers. Bring fishing rods, bobbers, worms (as bait) and rubber gloves. Since the goal for your toddler’s first fishing trip is to catch a fish, pick a location where bites will be easy to come such as creeks, rivers, lakes or a small farm pond. Talk about anything under the sun to keep your toddler from feeling bored while waiting. When he catches a fish, hold it for him and show him the fins and explain how the fish uses them to swim. Teach him to catch and release. Or if you bring fish home, have him bring only what he can eat and release the rest. Do not forget to praise your toddler for a job well done.

Visit A Zoo

Children love animals. The best way to expose your toddler with different species aside from cats and dogs is to go on a day trip to a zoo near you. Stick to a petting zoo so your little one can see animals up close and interact with them. Ask him to trumpet like an elephant, name the colors of the parrot or hold the lamb.

Learn Something New

Now is the best time to enroll your toddler in a class he is interested in. Most community parks offer an array of free and inexpensive activities such as arts and crafts workshop, dance, soccer, tennis and swimming lessons.

Grow A Garden

Give your toddler gardening tools and some fruits, vegetables or herbs to plant. Ask him to water, talk or sing to his plant every day. This is a great way to keep him busy at home. Plus, he will get a kick out of seeing the fruit of his labor.

Summertime is one of the most anticipated seasons of toddlers. These activities will surely keep toddlers busy and happy while stimulating the mind at the same time.

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Top Five Toddler Games For Messy Play


Toddlers love playing and they enjoy this activity more when mess is involved. Messy play is a part of childhood and is also a great learning tool. Here are five toddler games you must include on your toddler’s next play date.

Mud Pies

On a bright sunny day, go outside and make your own mud pies. Provide plastic spades, trowels, watering cans and containers such as aluminum foil pie tins and terracotta pots (to shape the pies) and some beads, sticks, rocks, flowers, leaves and other natural items to decorate the mud pies. Let the toddlers mix sand, dirt, potting soil and water to make the mud. Once they are done decorating, set the finished mud pies in the sun to bake.

Finger Painting

This is a classic messy game every toddler will love. Not only is finger painting a fun game but it also stimulates a toddler’s sensory and creative abilities. Prepare non-toxic washable finger paints in every color, cut-up sponge, bits of cloth and papers. Let the toddlers go crazy mixing paint with lots of water and letting them wash it onto their desired canvas. The children can use their hands, fingers and even their feet to create a masterpiece. Show them how you can use these prints to make pictures and patterns. Hang their artworks to dry and ask each toddler to give a brief explanation of his work of art. When it is time to leave, let the toddlers take them home as a souvenir of a fun and messy play date.

Mystery Piñatas

Use brown paper bags or dark-colored plastic bags to make piñatas. Place a different mystery item (they can be wet or dry items such as confetti, whipped or shaving cream or popped popcorn) in every bag along with some small gift items (e.g. stickers, eraser, keychain, etc.) or wrapped treats such as candies and chocolates and hang them to a tree branch or pole. Blindfold one toddler and give him a tennis racket or a small bat to smack the bag. Turn him around to make him a bit disoriented and then tell the toddler to swing at the bag. Once the contents of the bag fall, let the others gather around to get their prizes. After that, you can hang another piñata and repeat the game until every toddler has had the chance to take a swing.

Shaving Foam

Place a big storage tub or an inflatable pool in your garden. Give each toddler a can of shaving foam and let them squirt shaving foam into the container. You can add a few drops of food coloring to change the color and give them large plastic spoons or spades and a pail to play with. Or, they can just use their hands to scoop the slime.

Spaghetti Tag

Provide cooked spaghetti and start the game by giving a toddler a bag of spaghetti in his hands. He must tag others by making a piece of spaghetti stick to the players. Toddlers who are tagged must take out the spaghetti from their body and tag someone else with it.

These games may cause mayhem in your home and in children but messy play is a great way for toddlers to have fun while developing skills that are beneficial for their development.

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Do-it-Yourself Gifts Kids Can Make


Gifts are a delight for toddlers. They do not just love receiving them but they also want to make them. Having your toddler make presents will emphasize the fact that time, kindness and effort are just as precious as store-bought presents. Here are some suggestions for gifts kids can make with a little help from their parents.

Alphabet Crayons

What You Will Need

  • Small, broken or old crayons with the wrappers removed
  • Letter molds
  • Baking sheet

Directions

  • Set the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Preheating the oven makes the crayons dissolve faster and more evenly.
  • Break each crayon into tiny pieces and fit them into the letter molds. You can either pile them according to color or mix the crayons together.
  • Place the molds into the baking sheet and then put the sheet into the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the crayons are fully melted.
  • Take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Turn the letter mold upside down to pop them out. Be careful not to break them.
  • Wrap them along with a cute notebook in a clear plastic wrapper and tie it up with a ribbon.

Homemade Cards

What You Will Need

  • Blank pieces of paper (can be bond paper, art paper or construction paper)
  • Art Materials (crayons, markers, paint, sponges, buttons, yarns, etc.)
  • Pen
  • Scissors

Directions

  • Fold the paper in half horizontally. Trim the edges with scissors until paper is of the same size.
  • Let your toddler decorate it with whatever he wants.
  • Ask your toddler to write a thoughtful message.

Picture Frames

What You Will Need

  • A picture of the person who will receive the gift
  • Plain wooden picture frame
  • Acrylic paint
  • Acrylic varnish
  • Paint brush
  • Foam letters
  • Glue

Directions

  • Pick a color that complements the photo and the design.
  • Paint the picture frame with a base coat of white so the color will stand out better.
  • Let it dry and then coat with acrylic varnish.
  • Once dry, glue foam letters to the frame.
  • Set aside to dry again and then insert the photo.

Ink Blot T-shirt

What You Will Need

  • Plan t-shirt
  • Fabric paint
  • Poster board or cardboard
  • Scissors

Directions

  • Put the t-shirt over the poster board or cardboard.
  • Make a line down the left side of the shirt on the board to create your cutting line.
  • If the board is too big, cut it to make sure it is the same size with the shirt.
  • Take the board out of the shirt and fold it in half, lengthwise. Put the board back in the shirt.
  • Let your toddler paint whatever he likes. Your toddler does not have to follow a pattern.
  • Once done, fold the shirt in half and then carefully open it.
  • Let it dry (only take out the board once the shirt is dry).

Marshmallow Swizzle

What You Will Need

  • 200g marshmallows
  • 4oz chocolate milk
  • Chocolate strands
  • Sprinkles

Directions

  • Mash the chocolate into pieces. Place them in a bowl over a pan of boiling water and leave until melted.
  • Dip marshmallows into melted chocolate to coat. Shake off any excess chocolate.
  • Dust marshmallows with chocolate strand and sprinkles to cover marshmallows completely.
  • Put them in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
  • Wrap them in a small decorative jar.

Letting your toddler make his own gifts is not only fun. It can help boost your toddler’s creative skills and make your toddler realize that gift-giving does not have to be expensive.

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Fun Toddler Activities For Your Child’s Play Dates


Play dates are an essential part of a toddler’s life. It serves as an entertaining and educational activity at the same time. Try some of these toddler activities to make your toddler’s play dates a blast.

Outdoor Outing

If the weather permits, let your toddler and his playmates walk around the block or meet at a park. Give each toddler a plastic pail and ask them to collect things such as pine cones, leaves, sticks or anything that interests them. Once they are done, have a show and tell. Or, why not play a game of “I Spy”. Describe interesting things or spots as you go like a shiny red car, a bird’s nest, falling leaves and so on and then ask them to find the object or spot you are talking about.

Playdough Date

If you do not mind cleaning up a little mess, this activity will be perfect for your toddler’s play date. You can either buy some playdough in different colors or make edible playdough in yummy flavors such as chocolate or peanut butter. Add some cookie cutters and other objects to help them squeeze, mold and build them.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are one of the best ways to enhance a toddler’s creative skills. Set out some craft materials such as paper, paper plates, magazine cut-outs, glue, crayons, yarn, markers, paint and the likes. The children can make their own masterpieces and enjoy every minute of this activity. Let them take home their artworks or give them a simple award as a memento of their fun play date.

Construct and Pretend

Place a blanket over a clothesline or table to create a play tent. Have some large cardboard boxes for the children to crawl in and out of.  Give each toddler grocery boxes to sit in and pretend to drive a car, sail a boat or fly an airplane or spaceship.

Meet At A Restaurant

Take the play date outside the house and hold it at a restaurant with an indoor play area such as McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr. or Burger King. They can have lunch, snacks or some ice cream. The toddlers will definitely enjoy sliding and climbing in the play area while you can catch up and have some bonding time with the moms.

Storytelling

Reading is a perfect activity to end a fun play date. Ask the children to form a circle and give them pillows and blankets to make the activity more intimate and comfortable. Pick one or two good books such as “The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear” by Don and Audrey Wood or “Big Red Barn” by Margaret Wise Brown. When you are done, your toddler and his playmates can share their favorite characters, their own endings and the lessons they have learned.

Play dates are beneficial in a toddler’s overall development. These play date ideas will keep toddlers busy and happy while giving parents an opportunity to mingle.

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