This is a rather 'tricky' age. Children at the 18-24 mark are often extremely keen to try 'older' kid activities without having the full understanding, coordination or attention span to do so. Most of these activities I did with Miss 2 during this age bracket (she learnt pretty quickly that she didn't get to play if she kept putting things in her mouth).
OBVIOUSLY: Thought and consideration should be taken with these activities. I would always be within sight if not within grabbing reach of children during these activities. Also remember that it is okay if your 18-24mth aged child isn't up to these activities quite yet.
In the kitchen:
1. Cookie cutter baking Even though children this young won't be able to do much of the cooking part of this they will be able to press out the cookies using cutters (always a favourite activity).
2. Icing and decorating biscuits Some children might be able to help ice with a plastic knife but most won't but they can decorate! You can show them smiley faces or use m&m's to make letters of the alphabet (snakes for mouths and smarties for eyes etc).
Sensory section:
1. Edible play-dough: The best thing about this recipe is that it doesn't matter if they eat a little of it. Toddlers love using cookie cutters, measuring cups, leaves, Mr. potato head pieces, pasta and other 'bits' in their play dough.
2. Coloured rice: If your toddler still isn't in the 'eat everything I see phase' this is a great activity. You can put the rice in a container outside (or inside with a huge, huge, huge drop sheet) and use instruments such as; measuring instruments, little cups, ribbons, plastic eggs, funnels, spoons, cars, dinosaurs... pretty much anything!
3. Jelly play: I had Miss 1 playing with jelly well before her first birthday. This is a great activity because it is safe to eat, fun to play with and a great sensory activity (we always do this right before bath time).
4. Gloop If your toddler is past the 'stick-everything-in-their-mouth-stage' this is a fun, messy activity that I did with Miss 1 before her first birthday. Dress them in daggy clothes, chuck them outside and let them go to town!
5. Stone dominoes: Something very different for the hands but also gets that mind ticking along...
5. Stone dominoes: Something very different for the hands but also gets that mind ticking along...
Making & creating:
1. Painting chalk If your child can't draw with chalk yet you could do that for them and then get them to use a wide paintbrush with some water and do the painting over the chalk. You will probably find that your little one wants to paint everything except the paint but as long as you are outside it really doesn't matter!
2. Sticky window art Miss 1 has loved doing long before her first birthday... she also likes to stick herself (feet & hands too) to the window!!!
3. Shakers This is an activity that your toddler can 'help' you with and then play with afterwards... what little one doesn't like shaking to music?!
4. Collages Easy to cut out some pictures from magazines, newspapers on some paper or some boxes (cereal boxes etc).
5. Streamers & music A great opportunity to bring out some Wiggles music and dance!
6. Potato painting If you aren't afraid of a little mess then this is a sure activity!
7. Feather hats Your toddler will need help with this but you might be surprised how quickly they take to gluing and sticking things on.
8. A nature collage A lovely activity combining both outside + inside!
Exploring:
1. Bottle-lid sailing They most likely won't be able to make this boats but they can get involved with the water play side of things!
2. Duplo building Need I say more...
3. Alphabet bath sponges Oooo my kids love this one!
4. Flash book My children love flicking through the flash photo books that I have made for them... they love pointing and talking about all the people in it.
5. Balloon water play Kids + water + balloons...
6. Stacking paper cups Don't expect perfection but most little ones will have loads of fun playing with plastic cups.
7. Frog jumping Who doesn't love hopping around like a frog?
8. DIY Find-it-bag My kids love searching through and finding everything.
Thinking:
1. Puzzles My girls have been doing all types of puzzles, mix & matches, jigsaws since before they were 1. You can buy age appropriate ones which also help with fine motor skills. Don't worry if at first they are interested, keep trying and do it with them... they always love Mum & Dad playing along!
2. Personalised flashcards I love developing photos and making them into flash cards (or jigsaw puzzles) and the girls love it and Miss 2 starts to re-tell stories from each one.
3. Ice-cube colour sorting If your little one can't manage tongs yet then do without and get them to just use their fingers!
4. Pompom sorting This is a great activity... push, push, push!
5. Colour sorting... you can do this so easily using any objects; pencils, plastic animals or some items from the plastics cupboard. Miss 2 loves sorting stickers!
3. Ice-cube colour sorting If your little one can't manage tongs yet then do without and get them to just use their fingers!
4. Pompom sorting This is a great activity... push, push, push!
5. Colour sorting... you can do this so easily using any objects; pencils, plastic animals or some items from the plastics cupboard. Miss 2 loves sorting stickers!
1. Outdoor options... Love the great outdoors and love encouraging the kids to spend time out there!
Other ideas:
* Water play (buckets, spoons, measuring cups, funnels, dinosaurs etc).
* Magnetic fishing games
* Bubbles
* Clothes peg sorting (in little buckets etc)
* Pom-pom sorting into ice-cube trays or egg cartons
* Ring-a-rosy
* Magnetic puzzles
* Surprise bags (throw some odd and ends in and let them explore... cars, finger puppets, pipe cleaners, notebook, unbreakable mirror, magnifying glass, small set of duplo or wooden blocks).
* Dress ups
* Drawing (crayons & pencils)
* Liquid bottles (dyed water, glitter & water... shake!) * Drawing (crayons & pencils)
These are SO helpful! We'll be visiting my 2 year old niece in a few weeks and can't wait to do some of these activities with her!
ReplyDeleteperfect post as my little one turned 20 months the other day so is smack bang in the middle of all this. love that I don't have to wrack my brain for ideas or search the internet...it's all here thanks to you Katie.
ReplyDeletePS I had 2 20 month yr olds playing here today and we had LOTS of fun with coloured ice blocks that I had frozen last night. little blue hands and little red bellies afterwards though, so a warm shower with the foam wall stickers I had made was in order...and lots of fun too.
they are both sound asleep now:))
thanks again for your great list