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If you are anything like me, you have the hardest time coming up with new ways to entertain your little one. Then you get that mom guilt that kicks in and think to yourself – Am I doing enough with them? Am I teaching them enough? Am I a bad mom? Well, in short, no. Of course, you aren’t a bad mom. We have all been there and we will all continue to have days where we ask ourselves these questions and feel that we should be doing more. Sometimes we just need that extra help in finding new ways to entertain our little people that we, ourselves, haven’t thought of before.
Trying to entertain the littles can be a whole other job in itself. You have the thing that you’ve done that has once worked, but then they start to grow and it’s just not as fun anymore. So, then you are stuck with thinking of new things that will grab their attention. Well, I am here to help!
My son is 15 months, and he loves to get into everything that he isn’t supposed to, if you know, you know. So, I decided to experiment and find ways that he could “get into things” but into things that he is okay to have. We all know kids like to make a mess. That is fun to them! Although us moms aren’t a fan because we are always cleaning so why intentionally make a mess that we will have to clean? Well, I am here to tell you that it’s okay! Let them have a little messy fun every now and then. I promise the clean-up is worth it in the end when you see that smile on their face.
Here are 5 ways that have helped my son to stay entertained for longer periods of time!
1. Water Time!
Sounds easy enough, right? Well, it is! I simply lay out a towel in our kitchen, or you can do it outside, and fill some plastic bowls about halfway with some room temperature water and let them go to town. He loves splashing and dumping the water between the bowls. I give him a few toys and some plastic measuring cups to use. He could sit and do this for hours.
I know what you’re thinking, it’s basically a bath? so why not just put them in the tub? Easier to clean, water not everywhere? True, but I have found that the sense of them not being in the tub and being able to play in water outside of the tub is much more satisfying, especially on the floor.
2. Chia Sensory Bin
At this age, EVERYTHING goes into the mouth. So why not make something fun and edible! It’s easy to make and you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry!
Ingredients:
- 4 medium sized bowls (I do four colors, you can do as many as you’d like!)
- 1/4 cup of chia seeds per bowl
- 1 3/4 cups of water per bowl
- Food coloring (optional)
- Plastic spoons and/or cups
Add the chia seeds to each bowl and mix in the water to each bowl. Once combined, add in food coloring for your desired color. Mix again. Stick your bowls into the refrigerator overnight so that you get a nice jelly consistency. Once they have sat, add all colors to a plastic bin and let them have at it! I give my son some plastic spoons and cups to use to play in it with.
3. Sand Sensory Bin
This one is so easy it’ll blow your mind! I can’t be the only one that just disturbed with sandboxes. Not only do they collect anything and everything, but your child is bound to eat some. Eww, right? So, make them some clean at home sand that is taste safe! Literally, all you need is some cheerios. Throw some into the blender and blend until you have fine sand like substance! I pour it right onto my son’s highchair table and give him some farm animals or sea animals to play in it with. It is seriously that easy.
4. Taste Safe Kinetic Sand
I have given my son the kinetic sand to squish and squeeze, but we all know exactly where he tried to put that sand. Yep, the mouth. So, after some research, I found lots of recipes for taste safe kinetic sand. This way they can play, and you don’t just have to stare at them and push their hand away from their mouth every 5 seconds. Although it is taste safe, you should not let them eat it in large quantities and always be there to supervise your child as they play with it. It’s so easy to make and I bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry!
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Baking Soda
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Corn Starch
- 1 Tbsp Cream of Tarter
- 1/4 Cup Water
- Food Coloring (Optional)
Start by adding the Baking Soda, Sugar, Corn Starch, and Cream of Tartar to a medium sized bowl. In a separate bowl mix the food coloring, if you choose to use it, with the water. Add half of your colored water to your dry ingredients and mix. Once combined, add the rest of your colored water, and mix well. That’s it! I give my son some small plastic cookie cutters and a baby fork to use with it.
5. Jello Dig
I don’t do this one as often, because we all know that jello isn’t the most healthy thing to be feeding your toddler, but it’s fun and they love it. Everything in moderation, right? My son loves to dig and take things out. He is always so impressed with himself when he is able to get a toy out of the jello. All you need is some washable toys and a couple packs of sugar- free jello, or regular if you want! I would recommend using lighter colors and not red, as it will stain their hands. I use a large plastic bin and mix one packet of jello up and add some toys and fruit slices! I let that layer setup and then I mix up the next packet and add it to the top with some more toys and fruit. Once it is completely setup, I set a towel down and let him have at it. I usually do a yellow and green just to add some color changes in there for some added fun! I found that adding some fruit in lets him have a little extra snack as he is digging away!
Sensory play is important for young children and these are simple activities to help them engage in that type of play. Sensory play allows children to use their brain in exploring new things, problem solving, allowing them to be curious, and letting their creative side out at a young age. These are all important things in development of motor skills in children. Although they can be a bit messy, you child will have so much fun exploring these new ways of playing!
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