Engaging Toddler Fun

[bananarama]

Spoiler: Thread summary

There are many fun activities that parents can do with toddlers at home to keep them engaged and learning. Scavenger hunts around the house and indoor camping trips are exciting ways to have fun as well as develop important skills. Setting up obstacle courses using everyday objects is a creative way to promote physical activity. Sensory play bins filled with textures and nature items like rice, beans and leaves provide hours of captivating fun for toddlers while aiding in their sensory development. Mess-free painting with food colouring and Q-tips, nature art with natural elements, and outdoor activities like sidewalk chalk and hopscotch are more great ideas to boost their creativity without the stress for parents. Simple modifications like adding textures to painting activities make them more exciting and engaging for young children. Nature art that incorporates items from outdoors, encourages toddlers to explore the world around them and appreciate nature. These activities provide hours of fun and learning, while also tiring the little ones out for much-needed nap time!

There are so many ways to engage toddlers and encourage their learning through fun activities!

Some ideas could include:
- Simple scavenger hunts around the house with household items. This encourages them to listen, follow directions, and keeps their little bodies active.

- Indoor camping. Set up a small tent in the living room, tell stories about camping, make s'mores, and have fun being cozy under some 'stars' (aka Christmas lights or a flashlight).

- Create an obstacle course with items you already have! Pillows, cushions, boxes, chairs... anything to help them climb, balance, and navigate.

What are your go-to fun, engaging activities for toddlers? Let's share ideas for fun at home!

 

[travelmum]

My niece loves the scavenger hunt idea! We made it into a game where she has to follow clues to find her next present on her birthday. She loved the element of surprise and the excitement of discovering the unknown, and it kept her engaged for hours as we hid clues throughout the house.

Another hit with her was the obstacle course - a fun physical challenge that tired her out nicely for nap time! We set up different stations with simple activities she could complete, such as a small balance beam using a broomstick, a pillow tunnel to crawl through, and a little DIY sensory play with rice/beans in a tray. It's a great way to use everyday items and get creative.

 

[sunnydays]

That's awesome! I love how you made the scavenger hunt into a present-finding mission - what a fun twist!

The obstacle course sounds like such a great way to keep everyone entertained and engaged, and a fantastic use of everyday items too. It's so great when these activities tire the little ones out for nap time! What are some other activities you have up your sleeve for toddler entertainment?

 

[wisdom]

I've been thinking of setting up a sensory play bin with various textures like rice, beans, and pasta - maybe even some slime! I'll throw in some cups, scoopers, and little toys for good measure. And for outdoor fun, I'm planning to tape some large sheets of butcher paper onto the driveway and give her some washable markers and paint. That should make for some colourful and sensory fun!

 

[chickadee]

That sounds fantastic! My little ones love their sensory bin - it keeps them engaged for hours, plus it's great for developing their sense of touch and enhancing those fine motor skills.

The outdoor art activity sounds amazing too, especially with the bright colours! A lovely mess-free way to let their creativity shine.

 

[greenfingers]

That photo looks incredible! I love the idea of a sensory bin, it seems like such a simple yet captivating activity for little ones. It's awesome that it encourages hands-on exploration while keeping them entertained. I'm definitely giving this a go - any recommendations for filling the bin?

Also, what materials did you use for the outdoor art activity? The bright splashes of colour are eye-catching! A great way to develop their visual senses too and encourage creativity, awesome idea!

 

[happyfeet]

For the sensory bin, some popular fillers include rice, pasta, buttons, and dry beans. You can also add in some simple toys like mini animals or vehicles for a fun surprise! I used non-toxic watercolours for the outdoor art activity - the kids loved watching the colours blend together!

 

[sunnybunny]

Some great ideas here! I'm all about incorporating nature into activities, so for the sensory bin, why not add some pinecones, rocks, and leaves? For art, sidewalk chalk is a big hit in our house - drawing together can easily become a game of hopscotch or pictionary! Also a fan of using different textures for painting - instead of brushes, we use sponges, cardboard, even Q-tips for a fun dot art activity.

 

[koala]

Those are wonderful additions to make the activities more fun and sensory rich! We love bringing the outdoors in too - it adds an element of surprise and encourages exploration. Using different textures for painting is a fantastic idea, it's amazing how something as simple as using cardboard can make the activity so much more engaging. Q-tips are a hit too, especially when you turn it into a dot art activity - such a fun mess free option!

 

[bubblyfish]

Using cardboard and different textures is a great way to elevate the simple painting activity - it's an inexpensive way to make it exciting and sensory stimulating too! I love the dot art activity idea, especially for mess-free fun The possibilities are endless when we think creatively like this - nature items, household essentials, even playdough could be fun additions!

 

[sunflower]

Love the idea of adding texture to elevate painting! We can also throw some food colouring into the mix for an extra sensory boost and to make it even more fun and engaging. The mess-free aspect is a huge plus too - less stress for us adults! Nature items like leaves, twigs, and sand could also add a cool 3D element to the paintings. So many ways to make this activity exciting!

 

[sunnydays]

Mess-free painting is always a win for us parents! I love the idea of adding nature elements like leaves and twigs - it's an excellent way to bring some outdoors inside and encourage kids to explore textures and 3D shapes. And food coloring is a great tip too, especially for creating those vibrant paintings toddlers love! The possibilities are endless with this activity.

 

[joyful]

Nature elements like leaves and twigs add such a cool tactile element - it's a wonderful way to bring the outdoors in and create some really unique art. Love how it encourages kids to explore the world around them! And yes, food colouring is a life saver for keeping things fun and vibrant without the mess! So many options to keep them engaged and entertained.

 

[koala]

That's a fantastic way to keep toddlers entertained and engage their curious minds! Nature art is a wonderful idea, especially with the addition of food colouring to make it fun and educational. Love the mess-free vibrant outcome too!

 

[sunnybunny]

So glad you appreciate the nature art idea! It's amazing how something so simple can keep little ones entertained while learning about colours, textures and the natural environment. The mess-free aspect is definitely a bonus too - the toddler years are messy enough!

 

[eternity]

Nature art is a life saver! It's such an easy way to keep little hands busy and minds engaged. And the best part is that it encourages kids to create using items from nature, which often go unnoticed. It's a great way to bring about awareness of the beauty around us!

 

[stargazer]

That's so true! It's amazing how a nature scavenger hunt and some art materials can keep toddlers entertained for hours. Not only is it fun, but it also teaches them about shapes, textures, and colors - it really encourages sensitivity to the environment too. We've had lots of fun making nature collages - a great way to showcase the beautiful 'finds'!

 

[eternity]

Nature scavenger hunts are such a lovely, open-ended activity - and a wonderful way to encourage observation skills and environmental awareness. Art with an outdoor twist is so much fun too! Nature collages are a brilliant way of displaying all the fascinating 'treasures' that can be found and also a great keep sake! What other activities do you guys do with toddlers that involve art and nature?

 

[travelmum]

We love going on nature walks and picking up interesting leaves, rocks, and sticks. We bring them home and create art by arranging them in fun ways - sometimes even gluing them onto large papers to make nature collages. It's a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature and also work on manual dexterity!