Archive for October, 2008
Hidden Toy
This toddler activity can have several variations and target different skill levels. The basic activity requires three empty containers with lids, and one object or toy. Show the toy to your child, then hide it in one of the containers and mix them around. Have the child guess where the toy is. My son got really excited when he found his toy, and then had fun playing with the containers
You can use different colored containers and ask questions like, “Is it in the blue container?” You can use different sized containers and ask, “Is it in the big or small container?”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Shake-O-Lanterns
Here’s a fun halloween craft that recycles a milk jug.
Materials:
- Empty, rinsed out milk jug
- Orange paint or food coloring (I mixed red and yellow acryllic paint)
- Water (1/4-1/2 cup)
- Paper Bag or brown paper
- Black and green construction paper ( I used black marker and part of a green box)
- Packing tape
- Scissors
Directions:
1. Make sure the milk jug is rinsed and dry on the outside.
2. Put a small amount of water in the jug, enough to cover the bottom.
3. Place the paint or coloring into the jug. You can put it on the inside of the lid and then place the lid on the jug.
4. Shake the jug and see if it is the color you want. When you shake, orange color should coat the jug.
5. Secure the lid to the jug with packing tape. Put brown paper around it to form a stem. Add a green leaf if desired.
6. Cut out a black Jack-O-lantern face and tape it to the jug. I put packing tape over the face pieces to secure it.
7. Give it a shake and see your Shake-O-Lantern turn orange!
This is one your toddlers can carry around.
Shake-O-Lantern
Table Time
My sister called and told me about this toddler activity, and it saved my sanity today. Bridger was throwing fit after fit as he was following me around the house while I was doing chores, because he wanted to get into things he shouldn’t. Finally, we came to the kitchen and I sat him up to do some “table time.” Basically, this is structured time sitting at the table with a task or activity.
The task or activity should be one that is only done at “table time” so your toddler knows what to expect. Since we had never done this before, I got out two bowls, a measuring cup, and some dry beans. I showed him how to scoop the beans from one bowl to the other and then handed him the items. He had a blast for a good 20 minutes, which allowed me to compete some much needed tasks.
The benefits of “table time” are development of dexterity, learning task completion, and preparing for kindergarten
Table Time
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One of the great products offered at BabysRoomOnline
Diaper Box Car
Bridger and I had a blast fixing up one of the diaper boxes we had sitting around. All you need is 1 diaper box, some crayons and markers, about 13 pieces of 8 1/2 X 11 paper, scissors, and packing tape.
1. Cut the 4 top pieces off
2. Bend the two long pieces to form the front and rear “bumpers”
3. Use a cup or free hand two wheels from each of the smaller top pieces (You should end up with 4 wheels)
4. Cover the two longs sides of the box, and the two bumper pieces with paper. Attach the two bumper pieces.
5. I taped a piece of paper on each side to form a front and back windshield.
6. Color and attach the four wheels, and then decorate the car.
7. I made a steering wheel using 3 pieces of rolled up paper. I also did the front and rear lights using rolled up red paper.
8. Ride around the room yelling “Vroom, Vroom, Vroom!”
Swat the Mosquito
Another fun family game is called “Swat the Mosquito.” The “it” person is blindfolded and holding a rolled up newspaper. Everyone else walks around making buzzing sounds. The “it” person tries to swat the “mosquitoes” with the newspaper. If someone gets swatted, he or she becomes “it.”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Capratika!
When we were little, my dad used to give us “pratikas.” He would lie down on the floor with his knees bent so we could sit on them. As we sat on his knees, he would say “Capratika…..capratika….capratikaaaaaaaaaa……….Kerplunk!” As he said “kerplunk” he would open his knees and we would fall to the floor. This toddler game is a good exercise for parents, and lots of laughs for kids. My son loves to do this.
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