Shoebox with lid

Scissors

Unopened junk mail

Cut a large slit in the lid of a shoebox. If you like, cover the box and lid (separately) with colored paper, or decorate with paints, markers, and stickers. Place the lid on the box and show your toddler how to “mail” letters. If you don’t mind her doing so, she may enjoy ripping open the letters as much as mailing them. Store the mail inside the box when play is over.

Activity taken from The Toddler’s Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

Toddlers love to collect things in their pockets. Your child will enjoy wearing this little pouch and using it to store all his interesting discoveries.

2 paper plates

Scissors

Stapler

Hole Punch

Yarn or ribbon

Cut one paper plate in half. Staple one half to the second paper plate to form a pouch. Punch two holes in the top of the full paper plate, then tie a short length of yarn or ribbon from one hole to the next to form a handle. (Because of the danger of strangulation, please make sure that the yarn or ribbon is not long enough to go over your child’s head.) Decorate it with crayons, markers, or stickers. Hang the pouch from your child’s belt or let him carry it around with him.

Activity taken from The Toddler’s Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

Toddlers and tape go together in a special way .

Tape (masking, cellophane, colored, etc.)

Small can or plastic container

Construction paper

Use an upside-down can (such as a tuna can) or plastic container as a tape holder for your child. Cut or tear off various lengths of tape and place them around the edges of the tape holder so that your child can pull them off easily. Use as many different types and colors of tape as you can. Give your child a piece of construction paper and show her how to pull a piece of tape off the tape holder and stick it onto the paper to make a collage.

Activity taken from The Toddler’s Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

Peanut butter, honey, jam, apple sauce or other edible, spreadable food

Cookie sheet or baby-safe plate

Put your toddler in his high chair or on the kitchen floor. Spread out an old sheet or large towel underneath to protect your floor.

Place a small dollop of peanut butter on the cookie sheet and show your toddler how to smear it around with their fingers.

Peanut butter can be a choking hazard. As with all activities, please supervise your child.

Need a fun indoor activity for your toddler during the cold winter months? Try making homemade playdough. I found a recipe in the Toddler’s Busy Book by Trish Kuffner.

Bowl

1 cup cold water

1 cup salt

2 tsp vegetable oil

Tempera paint or food coloring

3 cups flour

2 T cornstarch

In bowl, mix water, salt, oil, and enough tempera paint or food coloring to make a bright color. Gradually add flour and cornstarch (I mixed the cornstarch into the flour first) until the mixture reaches the consistency of bread dough. Store covered.

While not edible, this playdough won’t hurt your child if a taste test were to ensue. I wrapped mine in Saran Wrap and put it in a covered container and it’s still good after two weeks. I haven’t had any problems with stains from the tempera paint. This recipe makes a lump of playdough about the size of a small cantaloupe.