Toddlers also like to mimic adults doing things like shaving or styling their hair. Look for a toddler-friendly shaving or hair styling kit so they can follow along with you.
To make things a bit easier, you can present them with 2 options and let them decide—“Do you want to read this book or this one?” They’ll still feel like they’re the one making the call.
If they’re able to get the hang of the game “Simon says” as the follower, you can also give them the chance to be the one giving the commands. You can also get your toddler used to following and giving directions by starting out with follow-along songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It. ”
You may want to set up a recital or concert for an audience of stuffed animals.
This can make old toys feel like new again. It can also make storing toys easier, as only a certain number of toys need to be kept in spots easily accessible to your toddler.
Record them dancing on your smartphone and then play it back to them. Kids usually love watching themselves get down!
Consider limiting them to 2 options in order to make things a little easier—“Should we turn this way or this way?”
You might help them create a nature collage or leaf book when you get back home. If they’re collecting things you don’t really want to drag home, you can usually discard items as you go without them noticing.
Grab a bag of sand toys, or just use some plastic measuring cups, drinking cups, spoons, etc. Make sure the sandbox has a cover for when it’s not being used. It can be a health hazard if animals start using it as a litter box.
Toddlers need close supervision at all times while on a playground, even if it is designed for kids their age. Don’t just sit on the bench and check in occasionally—walk around with them and help them enjoy their playtime safely.
Use common sense, of course. Taking a toddler out in a light rain shower is fine; in a thunderstorm, not so much.
Never take pool safety for granted with toddlers. Make sure they have an approved life jacket that fits properly, and supervise them closely at all times.
While not as fully kid-centric, science, art, and history museums often have kid-friendly areas or programs as well. Your local library might also have an area where kids can read and play.
You can also try putting a selection of items on the restaurant table or airplane seat tray, taking something away while the toddler covers their eyes, and asking them to figure out what’s missing. Sing-alongs, whether backed up by your stereo or not, are a great choice for car rides.
Generally speaking, they won’t actually be helping you clean, and will often make things a little bit less clean in the process. Learn to embrace it, and enjoy watching them try! Offer your toddler toy versions of your broom, dustpan, or other cleaning supplies, and let them follow along with you as you clean.
Buy or make play dough for them to use and provide plastic cookie cutters and utensils, and a few old baking sheets. You can compare the looks of your resulting cookie creations! Even if you do make homemade play dough out of ingredients in your pantry, make sure your toddler doesn’t eat it. If your toddler is old enough, let them use plastic cookie cutters to cut out real cookie dough and help you put the cookies on the baking sheet.
Some toddlers might also like to help pick up sticks and twigs, pull weeds, or clear small amounts of snow.
If you’re letting them play in your home office, for instance, make sure you protect or remove any electrical or wiring hazards, sharp objects, hard surfaces, and choking hazards. It may be better, in fact, to set up a mini workspace for yourself in the child’s typical play area.
You could also create a video of yourself reading the book and holding up the pictures, then play it back on a TV or other screen.
With a little help from you, toddlers can find nearly limitless uses for a simple box. It can be a spaceship, a puppet stage, a mailbox, a hiding spot, and so much more! Play with your toddler and give them some ideas about how to use the box. This will inspire their creativity, and they may soon start coming up with ideas on their own!
See if you can set up weekly play-dates at a local park, or rotate them among several homes with toddlers.
There is one thing that can invariably keep a toddler occupied for a long stretch of time—you! Make the most of the full attention your toddler wants to give you—they’ll be off to school and making friends before you know it!
Choose educational programming with limited or no advertising, and watch along with them whenever possible. To make things a bit more engaging, help them set up their dolls or stuffed animals in chairs to create a “movie theater. " You might even make up tickets to sell for the show![30] X Research source Or, drag out some home movies for them to watch. Toddlers are often fascinated by seeing themselves on the big screen, and they might be especially intrigued by seeing themselves as a tiny baby!
