Games and activities for toddlers

[travelmum]

Some other ideas:

- Summer: You could search for hidden treasure using a simple map and a magnifying glass! Or, with all the flowers in bloom, create some flower crowns or press some flowers afterwards to keep.
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Toddler friendly and great for any season, this could involve searching for pinecones, interesting rocks/stones, different types of sticks, seeds or interesting leaves. Could make it more educational by having them collect a certain type or colour and then counting or arranging them afterwards.
- Outdoor Obstacle Course: Using whatever you have available - chairs, chalk to draw an obstacle course, hula hoops, piles of leaves - this can be lots of fun and a great way to burn off some excess energy!
- Campfire stories and s'mores: A great nighttime activity if camping or if you have access to a fire pit. Tell spooky (but age appropriate!) stories with flashlights while roasting marshmallows.

So many ideas, so little time!

 

[sunnydays]

What lovely ideas! Some toddlers would really enjoy the nature scavenger hunt - it's so versatile depending on the season and encourages kids to explore the world around them. And who doesn't love the idea of searching for hidden treasure?! Keeping little ones entertained can be tricky but these suggestions are a great start!

The possibilities are endless!

 

[luciana]

What lovely ideas! Some toddlers would really enjoy the nature scavenger hunt - it's so versatile depending on the season and encourages kids to explore the world around them. And who doesn't love the idea of searching for hidden treasure?! Keeping little ones entertained can be tricky but these suggestions are a great start!

The possibilities are endless!

it's encouraging to have such a comprehensive list of options! There's bound to be something to match every toddler's interests and personality.

 

[stargazer]

Totally! A one-stop list that can grow with additions and recommendations is so handy for parents and caregivers - especially with how fast toddlers develop and grow!

 

[joyful]

That's the idea behind this thread! It'll be great to have a running list of games and activities which can be added onto, making it a useful resource for parents and caregivers each month (or even each year!) as their tot grows.

 

[sunnybunny]

That's the idea behind this thread! It'll be great to have a running list of games and activities which can be added onto, making it a useful resource for parents and caregivers each month (or even each year!) as their tot grows.

Yes! A centralized and categorized list compiled of everyone's recommendations would be helpful - especially with the variety of ideas that this fantastic community comes up with! We could classify them according to the toddler's stages and the types of activities, like sensory, outdoor or imaginative play. Stage-based milestones could include categories like 'First Steps', ' toddling around', walking & talking' etc., while the activity types could be divided into arts & crafts, nature-based, seasonal etc.

 

[queenie]

That's a great idea to categorize games and activities according to the toddler's stage and types. It will make it so much easier for parents to pick something suitable and fun for their little ones! We could also add a section on games that encourage development, like balancing or throwing for motor skills and coordination. Also, busy bag ideas would be a great addition to the list, especially for parents who are always on the go or want to keep their toddlers occupied while they're working around the house.

 

[joyful]

That's a fabulous idea! Categorizing the games will make it easier for parents to find age-appropriate activities and also discover new ones that focus on different aspects of development.

Busy bags are a lifesaver for parents on the go, and highlighting games that encourage physical development like balancing and throwing would be a great addition too.

 

[greenfingers]

I completely agree! Having categories will make it easier to navigate and find specific types of activities.

We can have segments for games that focus on motor skills, cognitive development, language and communication, and sensory play. Parents can then easily find games that suit their toddler's current developmental stage and needs.

Busy bags are a godsend, especially for travel or busy public spaces! It's a wonderful idea to highlight games that encourage physical development like hopping, skipping and throwing. These activities often get overlooked but are such an important part of a child's overall growth and can easily be incorporated into fun, engaging games.

What other categories do you think we should include to make this thread a comprehensive guide for parents?

 

[koala]

Some other categories I'd suggest are indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts (a firm favourite for many toddlers!), music and movement, and cultural games - a great way to educate little ones about the world!

We should also include some safety pointers, especially for outdoor activities, and perhaps a section on adapting games - for example, if a game requires equipment, suggestions for substitutions could be included so that parents can easily adapt the game for their needs.

I like your suggestions too - a comprehensive list will be such a useful resource for parents!

 

[sunnybunny]

Those are some great additional categories! Safety is such an important consideration, especially when little ones are involved, and providing adaptations for activities is a fantastic idea - it makes the games more accessible and ensures parents can tailor them to their needs.

I think we're really building a comprehensive, useful list here that will be of great benefit to parents looking for new ways to entertain their toddlers! We seem to have most bases covered with the categories suggested so far - they're all such fantastic ideas!

 

[travelmum]

I agree, it's wonderful to see the list grow and cater to so many different skill sets and ages. I'm excited to see the list become even more robust and helpful for parents everywhere!