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10 Fun & Fast Activities for
Toddlers and Their Parents
by Deborah Shelton
1. Balloon Tennis (paper plate; wooden paint stir stick; craft glue;
balloon).
Glue the wooden stir stick to the paper plate. This is your tennis
racquet. Blow up the balloon, tie the end, and let the games begin!
2. Touch and Feel Book (construction paper; glue; materials of different
textures, e.g., small piece of sandpaper, cotton balls, velvet, bubble
wrap, felt, wax paper, etc., stapler)
Glue one textured material per page of construction paper. Staple the
pages together. Have your toddler close her eyes and tell you what each
feels like (rough, soft, etc.). Young children will enjoy discovering
the many textures of the world around them.
3. Bread Art (white bread; food colorings; small drinking cups; milk;
new paintbrush; toaster)
You will need a drinking cup for each color you wish to use. Pour a
small amount of milk into each cup. Add a few drops of food coloring to
the cups (a different color for each). Using a paintbrush, paint designs
or pictures onto the bread. Don't soak the bread. Use just enough
"paint" for the picture to show up. Now toast the bread for edible art!
4. Animal Walk Parade (radio; silliness)
First, choose your favorite animal. Form a straight line, Turn on the
radio and walk the way your animal would walk. If you're an elephant,
use your arm as a trunk. Giraffes, stretch your neck out and hold your
head up high. Birds, flap your Wings to the music.
5. "People Who Love Me" List (paper; pen or pencil)
Sit down with your toddler and make a list of all the people who love
her. (Parents should limit the time spent on this project because, after
all, doesn't everyone love our children?
This list could take hours!) When you're finished, frame the list or
have it laminated, then hang it in her bedroom. Have her refer to the
list whenever she feels blue.
6. No-Bake Banana Crunch Cookies (bananas; graham crackers; Ziploc
baggie; butter knife; rolling pin)
Place 3 or 4 graham crackers into the baggie, and gently crush the
pieces with a rolling pin. Peel a banana, and then slice it into small
circles. Drop the banana circles into the bag and shake, coating each
slice with crumbs. This simple treat is sure to become a favorite!
7. Yummy Finger Painting (package of instant vanilla pudding; food
coloring; muffin pan; spoon; paper plates)
Prepare the pudding as directed on the package. Once it's ready, spoon
the pudding into a clean muffin pan. Add drops of different food
coloring to each (mix 2 different colors to make wilder colors). Stir
each until the color is consistent. Now, "paint" yourself silly on the
paper plates. Yummy!
8. Sun Spots (blueprint paper, available at office supply stores; small
objects such as leaves, flowers, buttons, rubber bands, keys, etc.;
clipboard; lots of sunshine)
First, attach a piece of blueprint paper to the clipboard. Place a
collection of small objects onto the paper. Leave space between objects
when arranging. Set the clipboard and its contents outside in direct
sunlight for several minutes. Bring your project inside and remove all
of the objects. Beautiful artwork compliments of the sun!
9. Sheet Murals (white bed sheet or pillow case; tempera paint; squirt
bottles such as a clean ketchup or mustard container, or clean spray
bottle; water)
Hang your canvas (sheet or pillow case) on a clothesline. Fill the
squirt bottles with water and just enough paint to color the water and
not clog the spray. Shake well to mix. Now stand a few feet away from
the sheet and spray your art! *Note: If you're doing this project
indoors, be sure to put down a sheet of plastic to protect the floors.
10. Colored Ice (plastic ice tray; water; different colors of food
coloring; freezer)
Fill the ice tray with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to each
square, and then freeze. This may help children who don't drink enough
water. Add a few cubes of colored ice to their bath water for even more
fun!
About the author
Deborah Shelton is a home schooling mom and the author of
The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little
Ones. Visit The Five Minute Parent for fun rainy-day activities,
family links, and a free email newsletter filled with craft ideas, guest
articles, contests and so much more!
http://www.fiveminuteparent.com
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