Toddler Play Inspiration

Today during Raisins and Almonds  play group we shared simple  ideas for toddler play that you can set up at home. These are relatively easy to prepare and can give you plenty of time to  make lunch or prep for dinner or the like. Or maybe you're seeking a play invitation to set up while your child naps.  We hope to add some inspiration to your day!!

• Save your recyclables!! Paper towel rolls can be train or car tunnels, rain sticks, telescopes and so much more!
• Fine Motor Play: Stick straws or pipe cleaners into a colander and let your young child pull them out or ask an older child to push them through. A container with punched holes would work in a similar way.
• Pushing!! Toddler get so much out of pushing (and pulling) things! If you happen to have a water cooler jug around, fill it halfway and add some food coloring for fun and watch your child push it around your yard or a carpeted room. A laundry basket (or any other larger container) filled with heavy items would also work. 
• Pom Poms are a hit! So long as your child has moved past the oral stage and the risk of choking, you can put our pom poms of any size and they can sort them, pick them up with plastic tweezers, spoons and even roll them down your paper towel rolls. If you're really into it, you can paint the tubes for color sorting and hang them on your sliding glass door (or a window) with a bowl underneath. They love to sort and it's a great way to learn colors! 
• Marble Run using paper towel rolls. Attach the rolls to your window or a wall and line them up so it becomes a marble track (or use pom poms or cars). 
• Sensory Bins: Ordinary household items can be grouped together for exploration any day. Magic happens when you pair things that aren't ordinarily found together. 
• Water Table_: Fill a medium-sized or large container/bucket with just a couple inches of water (remember that even a small amount of water can pose a risk for drowning, so keep a good eye) and then add mixing spoons, cups, bowls and maybe a drop or two of dish soap for fun. They'll be dumping water for days!
• Sand/Bean/Dried Pasta Bins: Similar to the water table you can set up a similar invitation with sand or dried beans (again so long as you're past the oral/choking stage) with a few simple items to explore with. Spoons are always fun! 
• Bath Paint: Add water soluble finger paints to your bath time for some added fun.

There are endless ideas out there! This is the list we shared today.  My favorite place to find inspiration is to search Pinterest. A couple key words will send you down a rabbit hole of creativity!