3 Easy Creative Play Ideas for Toddlers!

How important is play for a toddler? The short answer is that play is incredibly important for toddlers and is the way they learn about the world around them! I love this quote that sums it up perfectly, “Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart!” Vince Gowmon

The problem (first world) is that there are a million and one ideas on Pinterest of activities that you can do with your toddler. How on earth do you choose which ones?! I’ve narrowed it down to these three tried and tested (on my own one year old) activities that are easy, fun, and age-appropriate. A must do with your one year old!

No Mess Messy Play

Love the idea of messy play but not the clean up after? I’m with you! This activity ticks all the boxes and most importantly is not going to make a mess of your house, or your toddler for that matter!

Here’s what you need:

• a ziplock bag
• Food colouring
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Painters tape

Method

1. Add oil to the ziplock bag.
2. Add food colouring to water.
3. Pour the water in the plastic bag and seal well.
4. Tape bag to the highchair and let your toddler poke, squish, and explore... mess free! Hallelujah!

Edible finger paint

I love doing painting with my older kids but I would’t dare to try it with my one year old because she puts everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in her her mouth! So I introduce to you…. taste-safe finger paint! And it’s really so simple and you won’t have to sweat if your cutie sneaks a little lick of the “paint!”

Method:

1. Whip some cream!  (I used an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks formed.)

*Note: you can use coconut cream instead if you prefer.

2. Mix in some natural food colouring (split into a few small containers if you want to do different colours.)

3. Use painter’s tape to secure a piece of paper to your child’s high chair.

4. Let your little Picasso go to town!

 

Ice Magic

With summer well under way, this activity is perfect for cooling down and for keeping tiny fingers entertained. This is my go-to activity when I need to buy myself a few minutes!

It’s this easy: Fill an ice cube tray with water and add in little plastic animals, flowers from the garden, etc! Anything will work (as long as it’s not a choking hazard) and feel free to be as creative as you like!

Once frozen, pop out ice cubes onto a little tray and let your toddler enjoy this sensory explosion.

Sit back and enjoy that cup of coffee while it’s still hot and have a moment of peace!