Sometimes I can’t tell who’s more bored of staying home all day–me or my 16-month-old son.I know when he’s reached his limit because he’ll lose interest in his toys (i.e., throw them), whine and claw at the windows. Me? I’ll pour my nineteenth cup of coffee. If it’s nice out, we’ll head to the playground. But if it’s raining, which it has been a lot lately, we’re in for a long afternoon stuck inside. Since I’m not the most creative parent when it
comes to thinking of fun things for us to do (I’ve used the cardboard box idea way more times than I can count), I’ve found a few great books and resources to inspire me. Here are some of my favorites!
Things To Do With Toddlers And Twos by Karen Miller. I picked up this gem of a book at the local library a few months ago (yeah, I’ve racked up some overdue fees) and am continually turning to it for ideas. In fact, I actually keep it right next to me on the couch and as soon as my son starts going crazy, I open it up and try to do whatever it says on that page. Some activities are simple–like making a “surprise bag” where you put a bunch of different objects in a bag for your child to discover, or taking out all your dress shoes for your toddler to walk around in. Others are more elaborate, like making a fort under a card table, finger painting with shaving cream, and creating a “sticky picture” using contact paper and everyday objects like leaves and bits of paper. Written by a child educator with 20 years of experience, it reflects a firm understanding of toddler behavior and development, which is what makes it great.
A to Z Activities For Kids by Gymboree. Filled with 26 cards—one for each letter of the alphabet—this activity guide was created by the education and play experts at Gymboree. Each card features a different activity idea—”A” stands for Ant and offers the suggestion of going outside and observing ant behavior. Sounds obvious–I used to spend all day watching ants crawl around as a kid–but I had never thought to do this with my son. Inspired by these cards, one afternoon we did just that and spent a good half an hour chasing ants on the sidewalk (my job was to make sure he didn’t crush them). Next up, I want to try the “Y” card—when your child naps, take a ball of yarn and walk it through your home, unwinding it over tables, under chairs, and around sofas. When he wakes, have him follow the yarn to its end, where you can place a special surprise. Maybe my son will be less cranky after he naps if he has that to look forward to!
Wonderplay from the 92nd Street Y Parenting Center. Divided into sections based on age, this book includes lyrics to favorite songs, exercise and moment games, arts and crafts ideas, and more. I completely forgot about singing “Ring Around the Rosie” until I found the lyrics recently in this book. Now, my son loves to throw himself down at the end of the song. I also love the book’s suggestion to pile a bunch of pillows on the floor for your child to climb and play on, which is fun for all ages.
