I watch a couple of two year olds and some un-interested 3 year olds. I am looking for some activities to get their attention. Things like simple art projects or learning activities. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Spoon and (plastic) egg races, balloon popping contest, games of memory, hide something in one room and have them come find it, when they do, they have to sit down, musical chairs. Keep a box of junk, (egg cartons, magazines, construction paper, cotton balls, etc.) and see what they can make! Songs and dance! Have a party day planned in advance (with or without a theme) create decorations/ food ideas.
I also run a daycare out of my home with my two kids at home. I get ideas from www.learningpage.com has some fun activities that get kids interested and help them learn at the same time! Its great! Also try www.pbskids.org another good one! Hope this helps! Enjoy!
Dress-up clothes! Go to Goodwill or a thrift shop and buy some out-of-the-ordinary clothing. OR you can find stuff like Bunny Ears and funny glasses at Nobbies. Keep them in a trunk or storage container. It entertains my daughter for hours and has for the past two years (she's 4). It's easy to clean up afterwards too - everything goes back in the trunk.
It gets messy, but you can't miss with just simple construction paper and glue! I usually pre-cut pieces (decorate a tree, turkey and feathers, faces etc) then put a puddle of glue in a paper cup with the sides cut down short and give my kids a Q-tip. They paint and stick for 30 minutes or MORE! Put newspaper down first!!! Have fun!
A winning activity is always songs. I have been in the chilcare business for about 6 years and have so many songs it is ridiculous. Also, flashcards. They love things that they can identify. I have made several homeade sets and it is cheap and easy. Whether it is an umbrella or a dog they love to know how smart they are. And of course with animals there are always sounds.
L.,
I also use the leaningpage site. I also go to the library and check out books on fun ideas. I have a series of books called Busy Book by Trish Kuffner. They have a lot of fun ideas.
www.childfun.com
www.familyfun.com
google activities for toddlers. I love finger paints, the book Clap Your Hands, coloring, and activites gluing with cotton balls.
Our library even has some acitivity boxes to check out, we also have a toy lending library here which can change things up without spending a lot money.
Best of luck!
A.
L.
I am a consultant for Discovery Toys! I am not sure if you have heard about us before, but there are some fun and educations games to play with children that age. I have a 31/2 old and a 20mo old and they love to play games. If you are interested let me know.
A.
You can let them play with just stuff in the cupboards. Rice and funnel beans they have fun with the different colors and textures. And they get to see how things work. Also, sand is one of the most amazing things, you can set up a sand box or just let them draw in it on a cookie sheet. There is so much out here just in your own house that you can do. Have a musical band with pots and pans. They would love that. You can also let them finger paint with pudding or whip cream just put a little on some the good old cookie sheets and let them go that’s good for at least 10 min or more. And at that age you know they like to put things in there mouth. So it will not hurt them. You can have them play with the sock basket were they try to throw the sock in the basket or see how many socks you can get in each kid. Take pictures they will look pretty cute with socks hanging off there ears. Kids are so silly and playful at this age and just want to see what the world has to offer. Hope you have fun it goes so fast. Also story time at the library is good, and they have so many books that you can get great ideas also check out the magazines. Family fun, nick jr, child, they have some pretty cool ideas. One thing I really like at this age was making a picnic. And you can take that anywhere. You front room; steps out side yard where ever. not to mention the park when it gets warmer. We had a large roll of butcher paper that we bought and lined the walls with paper. Then the kids could draw on the walls well on the paper of course. Also this helps keep the walls clean. We did my daughters room with paper and she could draw where ever when ever. And she never drew on the walls with out paper. But the paper is one of the best things you can get it last for a long time and you can make banners or just lay some out and let them go. Out line the kids and let them color themselves in. It's endless we even did paper on the table when we did other crafts or for dinner and let the kids color on the table. I know this is a little after the matter but I hope this helps and you have a wonderful rest of winter. Spring will be here soon.
I also Run a day care and have 6 busy 2,3 and 4 years olds. I found that play dough keeps them so busy, They love it, I make my own, its very cheap and i even let the kids watch. i just google Play dough and so many fun recipes come up. Our favorite is the kool-aid play dough, it smells great and wonderful colors. And whats great is you can throw it away and not feel bad about having to go buy more. You have every thing in your pantry to make it!! Good luck, Marcy
