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Last week I shared some of my favorite toys for toddlers that my kids absolutely love! This week I want to share activities that keep my kids engaged and active! As a work at home single mom, finding activities to keep my kids active is important. As much as I’d like to, I know I can’t always play with them, take them to the park, or heavily supervise them while they play with say, paint or markers. Since I’m the only parent, I need activities that will keep my kids busy inside the house.
I’ve found much success with these activities as they keep my kids busy for a long time (which gives me time to get my work and other household stuff done!). Some of the activities require supervision but they are super fun bonding moments with your kids!
Activities toddlers love!
Little Tykes First Slide
So these slides by themselves are cool because most toddlers love slides! But I discovered a super cool activity by combining this slide, a plastic pool, and some ball pit balls! You put the ball pit balls inside the plastic swimming pool, and put the slide inside inside the pool. Voila! You have a mini ball pit that your kids can slide into! My kids and all their friends love playing on this. I keep it indoors too so they have something really fun to play on when it’s rainy, snowy, or too cold to play outside.
Another way to use this is by putting ball pit balls inside a pack and play or a playpen and it will keep your baby busy and contained! This works best for babies who can sit up on their own up to younger toddlers. You want to make sure they can’t crawl out or are too heavy that they will break the pack and play.
Kinetic Sand
My daughter loves kinetic sand. Truth be told, I like it too! The texture is so interesting and fun to play with and its very calming. Since this is an activity that is only suitable for my older child, (the younger one will eat or throw the sand) I let her play with this at the kitchen table while I’m preparing dinner or doing chores. This honestly keeps her occupied for at least a half an hour, usually more!
Crayola Washable Finger Paints
My daughter does not love bath time. To be fair, she probably would if we didn’t have to battle with combing out her hair, but it got to the point where I had to find something to entice her to get into the tub. I decided to try using finger paints in the tub because she was going to get washed anyway so she could get as messy as she wanted. Well it was a HUGE success! Both my kids love playing with paint and it makes bath time a lot more fun for them and less stressful for me because it doesn’t matter how messy they get! I also love these specifically because they have squeeze caps. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried pouring out finger paint from jars (more difficult and messy) so these squeeze caps are wonderful!
Step2 Duck Pond Water Table
I love water tables because you can use them for so many things. Besides water, you can put sand, water beads, puff balls, or other small toys in them. The list goes on really of what you can put in them to keep your kids busy. It’s also nice because you can put them outside or when it’s cold out you can keep them inside and just change out what you put in them.
Step2 Panda Climber
My kids love climbing so these types of climbers are always a hit! If your kids love slides and climbing this is a great activity to let them play on. Again, this is something you could have inside or outside so the versatility is really nice!
Daball Soft Toddler Soccer Ball
Soccer balls are another favorite activity in our house. I keep one in the car for days we go to the park and we have two in the house! Kids love balls so you can work on their gross motor skills by playing catch, rolling the ball, or practice kicking it. Of course all of these are super fun for kids so to them it’s just fun!
Dress up Clothes
Both of my kids love dress up. I have a box devoted to it in my basement and almost everyday they are taking something out to dress up as. I like this set because it includes occupational dress up clothes and they are gender neutral.
My daughter is obsessed with princesses so it is a no-brainer we have princess dresses for her to wear. My son who loves to copy his sister also wears them! If you have a princess obsessed son or daughter, this is a must have! The pretend play from the princess and occupational dress up clothes is cute to watch and gets their imagination and creativity flowing! Not to mention it keeps them occupied so mama can get work done!
(If you want to check out the most up to date toys and games for kids click here!)
I love finding activities that I can have inside the house for my kids. The reality is that if you’re a work at home mom, or a single mom you aren’t able to always be present while your kids play. But most of these activities will keep your kids engaged for a long time and others are a fun way to spruce up boring routines!
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