I have had a lot of people reaching out to me recently and asking how I'm keeping Rowan busy. Toddler activities tend to be something that everyone is always interested in. However, with the current world climate, and a lot of states implementing some sort of "quarantine", parents- more than ever- want to know how they can keep their little one's busy.
Toys
Below I'm going to discuss a few of Rowan's favorite toys. They're not only his favorites, but also the toys that tend to keep him busy for the longest time- so they're my favorite toys too!
1. Art Easel
Ro will use his easel for all different activities. He'll draw with chalk, color with crayons, and place stickers (which also keep him busy) on paper. We haven't allowed him to use markers at this point -c'mon, a toddler with markers?? no thanks.- but we LOVE Crayola's Color Wonder paper and markers. He also uses his easel to play with magnets.
I personally think that the easel offers a ton of different options for him, which is why it keeps him busy for so long. The link to the exact easel Rowan uses is here.
2. Building Blocks
This is another toy that will keep him busy. He will build towers, knock them over. He'll ask me to build towers, and then knock them over. He will put all the blocks in the bucket and then dump them out.
It amazes me how many ways he can find to use one toy when he's interested in it! Below are the building blocks that we have. Rowan received these as a gift and I can't seem to find them available to purchase on line. However, included here is a link of blocks that are similar to what he has.
3. Mickey Plane
This is a toy that Rowan received for his 2nd birthday (I can't believe he's two!!) He can't get enough of it. It's a plane, on wheels, that he can ride. The front propellor rotates and lights up, there are buttons on the inside that light up and make noise. There's even a brake that he can pull and a phone so that he can call Mickey! He's Obsessed! But then again, he's obsessed with ALL THINGS Mickey. Interested? Here's the link!
4. Bear Counters
Okay, so... I know that I've mentioned all of these really fun and cool toys above, but the toy that I'm about to share with you is -by far- Rowan's favorite. Colored Bear Counters! He will play with this toy forever! My favorite thing about this toy is that while he's playing, he's also learning. It has helped him to learn his colors and begin sorting- even counting!
I highly recommend them! Click here to get your own set.
Activities
Aside from toys, there are a few activities that Rowan loves to do and will keep him interested for quite some time. He's hitting an age where's he's very interested in arts & crafts.
He used to give me a hard time when it came to painting or drawing. I would spend more time setting everything up than he would spend actually using it. However, more recently, he's become very invested in his creative abilities.
We have done several art projects lately. All of which are easy to set up and clean up. They not only allow him to paint and play with colors, but they also bring in sensory play- which is very important at his age.
1. Canvas Project
This was so much fun and was so easy for him to do!
Things you'll need:
- canvas
- paint
- paint brush
- other paint tools (sponges, Qtips, make up wedges)
- texture! (feathers, glitter, patterned napkin, buttons, anything!)
Directions
1. Start out by having them paint the whole canvas. Have them lay it on thick so that the texture sticks to the canvas via the paint.
2. Once the canvas is painted, have your little one stick all of the texture on.
3. You're done!
Check out Rowan's masterpiece below!
2. Rice Play
Now THIS PROJECT WAS FUN! And soooo simple... Rowan LOVED it. He played with this for almost an hour. A couple of things worth mentioning; 1. be prepared for them to spill rice and 2. be prepared for them to eat the rice. It won't hurt them.
Things you'll need:
- Colored Uncooked Rice (click here to see how I colored my rice using the recipe of Cara of Fork and Beans Blog!)
- Clear tub
- Scooping tools
- Counters to hide in rice (optional)
Directions:
1. Pour colored rice into bin
2. PLAY!
Hopefully these ideas will keep your toddler busy for more than 5 minutes! I mean- a girl can dream...right???