Posts tagged toddler
10 Outdoor Toddler Activities
Apr 20th
Now that it is warmer outside, I am so excited to be getting out of the house a bit with Mr. Toddler. And I have been thinking of creative things to do with him outside. Here is a list of some fun outdoor activities.
1. Blowing Bubbles: Mr. Toddler loves to have me blow bubbles and then he chases the bubbles and pops them.
2. Water Play: This can incorporate a sprinkler, hose, little pool. Or just get a bucket of water with some smaller cups and let them move the water around. Mr. Toddler loves to play in water, and this is always a big hit.
3. Sidewalk Chalk: Always a fun activity. Since Mr. Toddler is working on letters and numbers, I draw some and have him tell me what they are.
4. Watering the flowers: Toddler’s like to help with whatever you are doing. Get them a small watering can and let them water the flowers, grass etc…
5. Plant a flower: When you are gardening and pulling weeds, you can take an empty pot with a little dirt and let them pretend to plant the weed. They like to do what you are doing, and help you.
6. Garden Salad: Have them pick them some grass, weeds, etc…and put in a bowl and let them toss it.
7. Pick up Sticks: Walk around the yard and have them pick up as many sticks as they can find. Then count them together.
8. Sandbox/sensory play: Great outdoor activity, letting them build in a sandbox. You can also use a small outdoor table and let them learn different textures. Such as sand, dirt, beans, seeds, etc…plus then you don’t have any mess to clean up.
9. Playing with a ball: Helps them learn coordination, and Mr. Toddler loves to throw around a ball. We also have been working on kicking a ball.
10. Going for a walk: Get a little exercise and go for a walk. Encourage your toddler to point on things in the environment. Work on naming objects. Let them learn the textures of the grass, trees, flowers. Point out cars, birds, etc…
Earth Day Booklist for Toddler’s
Apr 6th
Grover's 10 Terrific Ways To Help Our Wonderful World
Sesame Street has come up with a fun way to help kids learn about environmental consciousness.
In this book, Grover presents his top ten list of ways to save energy, throw less stuff away, take care of our natural resources, and recycle. As he presents each idea, Sesame Street characters act this item out in ways kids can relate. The Count turns off lights. Bert turns off the water while he brushes his teeth. Big Bird brings a reusable shopping bag to the supermarket. And of course the book itself is printed on recycled paper. Kids learn best from characters that they relate too, and Sesame Street has a way of relating to the little ones. A great book for Earth Day.
Earth Day Birthday by Pattie Schnetzler
Earth Day Birthday is a beautifully illustrated picture book for young readers, demonstrating the wonder and importance of the planet’s environment and the amazing creatures who live in it. Written by, Pattie Schnetzler the text is patterned after the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” song; each two-page spread features lavish color illustrations and lyrics such as “On the eighth Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me… / Eight cranes a-dancing / six owls a-hooting / five spotted fawns / four salmon leaping / three panthers creeping / two grizzlies sleeping / and a bald eagle in a blue sky.”
Earth and I by Frank Asch
“The Earth and I are friends,” begins this sentimental picture book in which a boy inventories the many ways he and the planet benefit and enjoy each other. The boy makes friends with the earth and its creatures. When the earth gets sad because of trash and pollution, the boy helps cleans up the garbage and makes the earth happy. It has great colors and illustrations.
A Garden of Opposites by Nancy Davis
Enter this beautiful garden and see what opposites you’ll find! A short caterpillar and a long garden snake, a closed bud and an open blossom. These delightful images will teach youngsters about basic opposite concepts, and about the charms and wonders of the outdoors!
One Light, One Sun by Raffi
“Describes how some things are shared by everyone in the world. The illustrations capture this theme by showing three different families engaged in similar daily activities. The words of the songs are set apart from the pictures, making it easy to read or sing along as the pages are turned.”
A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Wake up with the world. This poem is a cheerful way to start your day, saying good morning to all the beautiful things and creatures in the environment.
Fun Easter Basket Items for Toddler’s
Mar 31st
I am excited for Easter this year! I think that Mr. Toddler is going to have a great time–he is at such a fun age! And he loved the Easter Egg Hunt outside this past weekend. Since I had posted yesterday about things to hide in the Easter Eggs, today I thought I would post on what to place in the Easter Basket. I bought several little things for Mr. Toddler’s Easter Basket, I am trying to stay away from giving him alot of candy!
So here is my list for a little boy’s basket:
1. Thomas the Train engines (we are in a big Thomas phase)
2. Smaller Nerf balls
3. Sidewalk chalk
4. Lego crayons from Gaddy Nipper Crayons
6. Stickers
7. Easter Book
8. Bubbles
What things are you putting in your child’s Easter Baskets?
Brown Bear, Brown Bear Toddler Activity
Mar 24th
I am always looking for educational activities to work on with Mr. Toddler. We have been working on learning the letters of the alphabet and his numbers. He loves the Eric Carle books, especially Brown Bear, Brown Bear. I found this great website with educational printable activities, Tot Pack Carissa from 1+1+1=1. We used the Brown Bear Tot Pack and it is quite a hit! Mr. Toddler has about a 5-10 minute attention span, so we work on it a little bit every day. I printed everything from the website and laminated the card stock.
Interactive Activity Websites for Toddlers
Mar 22nd
Your toddler loves your cell phone, he loves watching movies and Sesame Street, and I bet he knows a little bit about the computer. Our children are growing up in the age of electronics, and are learning to navigate these devices at an early age. Here are some websites specifically designed for the toddler in your life.
Fisher Price Online toddler page features about 30 different games, activities, and printable coloring pages. It is filled with stories of the Fisher Price Little People characters; Maggie, Sonya Lee, and Eddie while online.
Uptoten.com website focuses on children from birth to 10 years. Boowa and Kwala features over 500 games, more than 50 songs, and a variety of online stories. Uptoten.com also features ideas and advice for parents, and the Boowa and Kwala club.
Kneebouncers, was designed by parents to combine fun with educational activities. On this site your toddler can go on an underwater adventure, play an instrument, and go on a train ride online.
Sesame Workshop is the online version of Sesame Street. It offers games, stories, art, music, and also offers Elmo’s World online. The Sesame Workshop site also has an information-rich parent’s section.
Cartoon Network: Children can play games online with popular Cartoon Network Characters.
Nick Jr: Find favorite Nick Jr Characters & Games: Blues Clues, Dora, Diego, Backyardigans, Wonder Pets, and more!
PBS Kids: Kids can play with Barney, Dragon Tales, Curious George, Clifford, Caillou, and more!
Playhouse Disney: Your child will have fun interacting with characters like Pooh, Mickey, Little Einsteins, and more!
Sprout Online: Online learning games with Bob the Builder, Noddy, Angelina Balerina, Jay Jay, and more!
Setting Boundaries for Toddlers
Mar 18th
I absolutely love being a mommy to Mr. Toddler he is at a very fun age. He giggles and loves to play, and is sweet and cuddly. But the one thing we need to work on is his impulse control and setting boundaries. He is constantly grabbing for things, he sees something he wants and he goes for it. I think it is more his curious nature, than trying to get into things. He also isn’t great at following my direction of, “No.”
Yesterday was one of our first times outside this year, and he was playing with our dog and the neighbors, and just went up to the street like it was nothing, and of course just about stepped into it. I instantly had to grab his arm, and tell him, “No,” and that we don’t cross the street, etc…And I get this pouty face and a temper tantrum follows.
We know as parents it is our job to teach our children about not being impulsive and following rules. But sometimes when Mr. Toddler isn’t listening or throws a fit, I just don’t know what to do. I find myself on an up and down ride with my toddlers emotions on a daily basis. I just keep reminding myself that he is learning and exploring his environment, and he is trying to gain control. He is testing me, seeing how far he can manipulate a situation, toddlers are smarter than we give them credit for. Mr. Toddler also has a limited vocabulary which can make it difficult for him to verbalize his wants and emotions, making us both frustrated.
Here are a few tips from Terry Brazelton M.D.:
(1) Make sure you have your child’s attention first. Gain eye contact with your child.
(2) Let your child know that he can’t act on his impulses. For instance, if you see him going towards the street, stop him prior to getting there.
(3) Don’t be afraid to physically remove the child from something they are not supposed to do.
(4) Offer an alternative, do you want this or this.
(5) Sympathize with your child. Once he calms down, tell him you are sorry he is upset, but explain in simple terminology why he cannot do x,y, and z.
Toddler Game: Learning the Numbers
Mar 17th
This is a fun counting game for your toddler. It works on the numbers 1-4. I got this information from toddlertoddler, a great website. If you go to the website here, you can print either the planes or the butterflies or both. You will cut them down, and apply contact paper to make it a little sturdier. I used cardstock as well. Then tape them to a door, wall, a little higher than eye level so your toddler has to reach. Then ask the toddler to grab them and place them in a basket. You can ask them to grab them in order, or ask for a specific number. 
My 22 month old loves this game. He loves airplanes, and he likes to pull things down. And we are learning our numbers in the process.
Review: Words to Remember, A Journal for Your Child’s First Words
Mar 11th
Words to remember: A journal for Your Child’s Sweet and Amusing Sayings by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
This is a keepsake book that provides beautiful pages, and a convenient home for your child’s first words, sentences and funny sayings.
I know I have mentioned that Mr. Toddler is becoming quite the talker, and I keep saying that “I have to write that down.” One of his favorite words, has been baby. I asked him the other day, what can you say, he responds, “BABY!” Then we are out with friends, who have babies that are about 2 months old, and he pats the baby on the head, and says, “Hi Baby!” Today he pointed to himself, and said, “Baby, Nooo,” then said, “Boy.” What made me giggle, was that Mr. Toddler who is 22 months, does not think he is a baby any longer. And he obviously is trying to make the distinction that he is a Big Boy!
I hope that someday I can remember all these funny stories about his first words. And I think this book is a great start.
This book is cute, and seems like a great way to keep all his funny words and sayings in one book that I can pass down to him someday. I think mommy is going to have to buy THIS!
What do you love most about the age your child is at right now?
Mar 10th
I found an older post on a friends blog today, that said: Before your child grows another centimeter, and before you get caught up with something else (like his college application), stop time to record this moment – messy or marvelous – with a few simple notes. And I thought…this is a wonderful idea. 
Well I love my son “Mr. Toddler”, everyday he just amazes me. Lately he has really began talking, and his voice is just so cute! Today we were leaving the gym, and he of course wouldn’t let me carry him, because he is a big boy. So we explored the whole way to the car. He jumped in a puddle, why does every puddle catch a toddler’s attention? He saw a bird in a tree and said “bir”. He pointed to the melting snow, picked it up, and said “mama snow,” all I could think was yes–you have muddy melty snow in your hands. But he was so proud for saying the word snow, I couldn’t be mad that his shoes were wet from the puddle, or that he had picked up muddy snow. He pointed to an airplane in the sky, and said ”hi” to people walking into the gym. It took us about 6 minutes to walk 100 feet to the car. As I got into the car, I thought this is why I love my son right now. Because he is curious, he hears things, he recognize things, he loves to explore, he plays, he enjoys everything, and he is gaining a vocabulary where he can talk about things.
I realize we can learn from our children: My lesson today: “To slow down, and enjoy the scenery.”
What do you love most about your child right now?
Review: 5 Great Toddler Toys
Mar 10th
1. Mega Blocks Building Imagination Classic 80 pc.: consists of big building blocks which are easy for little hands to hold and stack. My toddler loves to play with his mega blocks, he likes to build towers and then of course–knock them down. This is a great activity to work their coordination, and imagination.
2. Fischer Price Doodle Pro Travel is a wonderful toy. The Doodle Pro allows the child to create endlessly, they create and then can just wipe it away. My 22 month old son loves this toy. He loves to doodle on the doodle pro, and it keeps him occupied in the car and at restaurants. We have also found this toy very educational. I am able to draw numbers, letters, etc…and work on his vocabulary, counting and alphabet.
3. Little Tikes Shopping Cart: This is a great and very sturdy little shopping cart. My toddler started playing with this toy at about 18 months, and now at 22 months he still loves to push it around the house and put things in it. This is also available in pink and white.
4. LeapFrog Fridge DJ Magnetic Learning Radio: This little radio is great it has songs that the child can learn, letter songs, number songs and classic songs. Also lights up with letters or numbers, as it counts or says the alphabet. It also counts the days of the week.My son loves this toy, he sometimes will dance to the music, and he carries it around the house.
5. LeapFrog Clickstart My First Computer: We bought this for my son at Christmas because he always was trying to play on our laptops.He loves this little computer. It is a real keyboard with a mouse and turns the TV into a learning computer. There is several games that come with the clickstart. My son is learning how to point and click and how to navigate the keyboard. The clickstart teaches phonics, letters, animal facts, the alphabet, and counting. It comes with a keyboard which is wireless, and a hub that hooks to your TV. Great educational toy.
All of these TOYS ARE AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM, free shipping if you spend over $25.00.
