I was asked last night in the chatroom if I could do a list of indoor activities for toddlers to keep them amused now that the cold weather is here - I thought I would make a thread on it so others can add their ideas.
I am going to ask the lovely Mod's if they can Sticky this
Bead/Pasta Necklaces
All you need is string, some big beads or dry pasta (macaroni or any 'tubey' style). Simply show little one how to thread the beads onto the string. If you are using pasta, you can get them to paint the pasta different colours so make them look more exciting!
This is also excellent for improving their motor skills
Sock Puppets
Get an old sock(light coloured), some felt pens, some stickers and show them how to make a puppet!
Play Housey
Get two dining room chairs (or something simular) and a sheet and make it into a tent. Have your lunch in the "housey" or a little tea party
Making Models/Playdough
Lots of fun to see your little ones artist skills!! Have a rolling pin or cookie cutters for them to play with And really easy to make the play dough...
2 cups plain flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of Tartar
2 tablespoons cooking oil
A few drops of food colouring
Put all the ingredients into a non-stick pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time until it forms a ball. Allow the dough to cool before giving it to your toddler to play with. Kneading the dough will make it smoother. (It will keep for several weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.)
Finger/Hand/Feet painting
Lots of fun, and LOTS of mess!! Make sure you have old news paper or an old sheet down so nothing gets ruined!
Making a House/Car/Train etc.
If (on the run up to christmas) you receive a delivery that comes in a big box, get some poster paints, glitter, wool, buttons, anything arty and decorate it into a house/car etc
Junk Modelling
Same as above really nbut making things on a smaller scale... Think back to your pre-school days making things out of old egg cartons and cereal boxes
Map yourselfGet your little one to lie down on paper and draw round them. Then together draw on the eyes, mouth, hair and so on and get little one to point out where everything is
Baking
Make chocolate crispies or little fairy cakes to decorate (recipe below).
125g softened butter
125g caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
125g / self-raising flour
2 tbsp milk
~~
Preheat the oven to 190C. Place the paper cases in the holes. In a mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. You can use an electric whisk or a wooden spoon.
Add the beaten egg, a little at a time, then beat in the vanilla.
Sift in half of the flour and fold into the mixture. Add the milk and the rest of the flour and fold until well combined.
Spoon into the tin and bake for 10-12 minutes or until risen and golden on top. Allow to cool before removing from the tin.
Play "I-Spy"
Sure I dont have to explain that - brilliant for your little ones to learn all things in the house!
Dancing Fun!
Just stick on a CD/Radio and dance together!!
Disney Fun!
On the Disney Playhouse website, there are loads of things you can print off and do... Colouring in sheets, print and play games - have a looky (I'm sure there are more websites like this - but Arianna is a Disney fan!!) http://www2.disney.co.uk/DisneyChannel/ ... vities.htm
Hope this helps!!!! And remember.... POST YOUR IDEAS!!!!
I am going to ask the lovely Mod's if they can Sticky this
Bead/Pasta Necklaces
All you need is string, some big beads or dry pasta (macaroni or any 'tubey' style). Simply show little one how to thread the beads onto the string. If you are using pasta, you can get them to paint the pasta different colours so make them look more exciting!
This is also excellent for improving their motor skills
Sock Puppets
Get an old sock(light coloured), some felt pens, some stickers and show them how to make a puppet!
Play Housey
Get two dining room chairs (or something simular) and a sheet and make it into a tent. Have your lunch in the "housey" or a little tea party
Making Models/Playdough
Lots of fun to see your little ones artist skills!! Have a rolling pin or cookie cutters for them to play with
And really easy to make the play dough...2 cups plain flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of Tartar
2 tablespoons cooking oil
A few drops of food colouring
Put all the ingredients into a non-stick pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time until it forms a ball. Allow the dough to cool before giving it to your toddler to play with. Kneading the dough will make it smoother. (It will keep for several weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.)
Finger/Hand/Feet painting
Lots of fun, and LOTS of mess!! Make sure you have old news paper or an old sheet down so nothing gets ruined!
Making a House/Car/Train etc.
If (on the run up to christmas) you receive a delivery that comes in a big box, get some poster paints, glitter, wool, buttons, anything arty and decorate it into a house/car etc
Junk Modelling
Same as above really nbut making things on a smaller scale... Think back to your pre-school days making things out of old egg cartons and cereal boxes
Map yourselfGet your little one to lie down on paper and draw round them. Then together draw on the eyes, mouth, hair and so on and get little one to point out where everything is
Baking
Make chocolate crispies or little fairy cakes to decorate (recipe below).
125g softened butter
125g caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
125g / self-raising flour
2 tbsp milk
~~
Preheat the oven to 190C. Place the paper cases in the holes. In a mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. You can use an electric whisk or a wooden spoon.
Add the beaten egg, a little at a time, then beat in the vanilla.
Sift in half of the flour and fold into the mixture. Add the milk and the rest of the flour and fold until well combined.
Spoon into the tin and bake for 10-12 minutes or until risen and golden on top. Allow to cool before removing from the tin.
Play "I-Spy"
Sure I dont have to explain that - brilliant for your little ones to learn all things in the house!
Dancing Fun!
Just stick on a CD/Radio and dance together!!
Disney Fun!
On the Disney Playhouse website, there are loads of things you can print off and do... Colouring in sheets, print and play games - have a looky (I'm sure there are more websites like this - but Arianna is a Disney fan!!) http://www2.disney.co.uk/DisneyChannel/ ... vities.htm
Hope this helps!!!! And remember.... POST YOUR IDEAS!!!!
