Getting Creative with Toddler Activities
I would consider myself creative, but I am not the type of mom that has lots of craft-y things in our home. I guess you would call me a Target mom vs. Pinterset mom. I am also pretty minimalist and don’t have lots of things - unless they are being put to good use! But I’ve been recently really wanting to do more hands-on activities with Ford. He’s at such a fun age where he is curious about everything and really wants to learn new skills. It’s so fun!
So, I have slowly but surely started to bulk up my activities to keep at home.
If you are like me and enjoy arts & crafts, but don’t always know what to do or don’t want to necessary buy all the things…I have a few ideas on how to get creative at home!
Hit up the Target Dollar Section: Remember when I said I am pretty minimalist? Target is my best friend and is always trying to get me to take home things I don’t need. I will say, they have really stepped up their crafting section and now have lots of fun activities that are $5 or less in the beloved Dollar Section. I recently found DIY ornaments and foam gingerbread house kits for the holiday!
Create a Craft Kit: While browsing the Target Dollar section, you can also find cheap stickers, random foam things and other crafty elements that you could create your own kit for a rainy day (or when your toddler needs something fun to focus on!) I buy 2-3 different things as they catch my eye and add to our craft box. I sometimes will check Pinterest for fun ideas based on what I have or will just make up an activity based on my finds! For example, color matching random objects.
Invest in a Subscription Box: this TinkerTots Box subscription is perfect for me. As a working mama, I typically keep our activities for the weekend and don’t always have time to scheme up fun ideas. But I want to be creative! So, getting this box was a win-win. Each activity comes compilled with everything you need - literally everything! From the kid-friendly glue and scissors (I wouldn’t have had these handy) to the instructions and ideas on what to do, this kit is seriously so fun! I also love that some of the activities included are reusable!
Look at the toys you have, but are hidden or need to be compiled to use: I am guilty of stuffing all of Ford’s toys into the toy chest at the end of the night. Meaning, his toys can be a messy hodge-podge sometimes. I have found that if I pick one toy and make sure to find ALL the parts and only give him that, he is actually more interested and interactive. This toy work bench is one of his favorites! There aren’t a ton of little parts, which I love, but there are so many different features he can explore! I’ve learned to encourage him to use the toys in new ways or not as intended.
When I decide on the craft or activity, I also make a point to clear away any distractions. I turn off Ford’s songs (or the TV if it’s on), put away any toys or things that he easily can get fixated on and let him sit at our kitchen island with just that activity. I will show him a few ways to do the craft, but ultaimately want him to be creative and explore the activity on his own!