Simple Games to Play with Toddlers
Educational Ways to Spend Quality Time with a Young Child
Mar 31, 2009
Toddlers love any opportunity to spend quality time with mom or dad. Simple games provide great stimulation for toddlers and support a toddler's growth by providing developmentally appropriate activities.
Where’s Tthe Baby?
Young toddlers are beginning to understand that objects still exist even if they cannot see them. While your toddler is watching, hide a baby doll under a blanket, under a pillow, or behind something. Ask your toddler where the baby went and watch his excitement as he finds the baby doll. This game is similar to hide and seek and toddlers will love the interaction and the feeling of success each time they find the baby doll.
Make Some Noise
Toddlers love to make some noise, especially if they are using things that are not designed as musical instruments. Save some empty oatmeal containers or other food boxes and set them up in a circle around your toddler. Old pots and pans can be turned upside down and used together with other materials or alone. Show your toddler how to use his hands or a wooden spoon to make some noise by banging the food containers or pots. This is a great activity to keep your toddler busy while preparing dinner.
Bowling for Bottles
Young toddlers are still developing their large motor skills, but empty soda bottles make great bowling pins for a simple game of bowling. Set up 3 or 4 empty soda bottles and give your toddler a large ball. Show your toddler how to use both hands to roll the ball towards the soda bottles. Your toddler will be delighted to watch the bottles tip over.
Stack the Blocks
Most toddlers love to stack blocks and it is an important developmental skill. Use a few large blocks to show your toddler how to make a tower. In the beginning, your toddler may mostly enjoy knocking over the towers your build but after watching you several times he will learn to build his own towers.
Build a Cave
Hiding in a homemade cave, especially with mom or dad, can be a lot of fun for a toddler. Throw a blanket over the kitchen table or push two couches together and cover them with a sheet. Eat a simple snack inside your cave with your toddler or bring in a few special toys.
Dance like a Rock Star
Toddlers love to express themselves through movement. Put on some fast music and dance around the room with your toddler. Get down on your knees and dance so that you are down on your toddler’s level and he can look at you face to face. Your toddler will love the chance to wiggle around and get some energy out.
Toddlers do not require expensive toys or complicated games to be entertained. Simple interactions that provide quality time with mom and dad are often the best. Your toddler will learn so much from even the most basic activities and will love the time spent with you.
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