by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: December 15, 2008

Toddlers are naturally curious. They are capable of finding things to do with no help at all. So if you don't direct the activity or at least point them in the right direction you may find yourself saying "no" all day. That's no fun as a caregiver or parent. A little direction can make an easier day for everyone.

There are many activities that are quick, easy and very inexpensive.

~Pots and Pans
I have a pots and pans cupboard that is free game. I can say why don't you see what you can find in your cupboard. It's fun to add a few things that may have not been in there the last time they visited the cupboard. Somethings just magically seem to come and go out of the cupboard. Sometimes the toddler even helps this happen. What can you add to the cupboard? Anything that is safe for the child. It could be a wooden spoon, a stuffed animal, a pair of hot pad mittens or any other safe toy or gadget. If you want to limit the time and noise set a timer. When the timer goes off we clean up and move to another activity. I love timers.

~The Cleaning Game
Cleaning can be fun and they can help with their own cleaning of help you with household chores. First lets talk about how to approach the activity. Go ahead and define them as chores and have fun doing them. That establishes a routine that we all do chores and they are good. For example, "Let's put all the soft toys in this bag? Can we find all the toys that are soft?" We cheer, clap and give praise with every soft toy that reaches the bag. I try and put a star on their chore chart so they have been exposed to that concept as well.

Sorting laundry is definitely something they can help with. I have to admit I make it a bit dramatic, but we have fun. All the dirty laundry is dumped in a giant pile. We have several baskets set out and we hope to get all the right colors in all the right baskets. As soon as one basket is full you can sneak off to put the laundry in the washer while they keep sorting or take a book break. What's a book break?

I want my children to believe reading is a reward, privilege and fun. So when we have done something great or finished a task we can have a book break. Sometimes we read together. Sometimes they look at the book by themselves. Sometimes I put in a tape and they hear Grandma reading the book. (Grandma is updating to DVD this Christmas.)

~Bath Tub Fun
Sometimes we are taking a quick bath to get clean and other times we are taking a long bath to have fun and get clean. I have bathtub paints. If I am going to use the paints they magically appear before the child enters the bathroom. They will never see me used the paints. That would give their creative little minds too many ideas. I am careful to paint just above the water line because there is no standing in the bathtub. They can then erase the painting with a wash cloth and play with other water toys. The paints cost me a grand total of $3.50 and last over three months.

~Music
Most of us have a radio so much is free! Yes, you can buy all sorts of Cd's but it is not required. You can get online and find many children oriented stations that you can leave playing as well. Dance, sing, and play along with the music. It's good exercise and good fun.

~Make a hut
Simply put a large blanket over a card table and let the fun begin. Somehow after the blanket is put on it seems to take care of itself. I normally add a flashlight and I don't normally crawl under the table. I am not sure what all happens, but I can always peak if I get worried.

Toddlers and preschool ages are easy and it's a good time to teach them to find something to do so later they are not always saying "What can I do now?"

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