Play ideas for your child
I know I've struggled at times to come up with fun and creative things to do with the kids. The more tired I am, the less I can think of anything. So for those days when you're energy is a little low, here is a list of simple, easy things to do with your kids.
Any age
You
Cuddles
Dancing
Reading/singing stories
Singing- action and interaction songs, bouncing songs
Blocks
Cars
Trains
Dolls
Puddles
Sticks
Stones
Water play (Can use containers, cups, bubbles, sponge, bath toys, go to the pool)
Hide and seek
Sand/dirt/stones/mud play (Can use hands, small shovel, spoon, cup, old bakeware)
Your local toy library (great for borrowing the big toys, activity centres, dress ups, ball pits)
Empty cardboard box or washing basket (cubby, car, house, fort, castle, decorate, colour in, cushions, blankets, teddies etc..)
Balls
Balloons
Bubbles
Chalk
0-12 months
You
Playstations with different textures/toys in each corner
Food play (squishy food on a tray)
Peek a boo
Mirror play
Rocking, swaying, dancing, bouncing, rolling, sitting
Different ‘touch’ textures to explore
Blocks
Play frame and hang different items
Scrunchy or noisy items near baby’s feet
Going for walks outside
Baby massage
Talking turns ‘talking'
1 year olds
You
Bang on the pots and pans
‘Cooking’ with mum
Butcher paper and crayons
Empty tissue box or container - posting pegs, sqaures of fabric, stones
Food in an ice cube tray (blueberries, cheese, strawberries, carrot, corn kernals, cooked pasta, yoghurt, peas etc..)
Puzzles
Stackable/nested cups or boxes
Bath toys
Push along trolleys
Pull along toys
2 year olds
You
Empty paper towel or glad wrap tube
Chalk outside
‘Paint’ the house with paintbrush and water
Playdough
Picking flowers
Counting and Alphabet
Go to the beach
Puzzles
Pasting
Cutting out with kid safe scissors
Cars
Dolls, cots & prams
Blocks
Duplo
3 year olds
You
Magic sand
Scooter
Balance bike
Cooking
Folding the washing
Sweeping, mopping, dusting
Collecting bugs
Stamps and ink pads (or fingers)
Beading & threading
Face paint/pencils
Crafting – Collage, paint, draw, stencil, cardmaking
Painting
Wood, hammer & nails
Cubbies and tents
Pretending and make believe
References & Resources
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/activities/indoor/one-year-old-activities/
You are your child’s first teacher – Rahima Baldwin Dancy