We've been stuck indoors a fair amount the past week as it's been pouring rain and we don't have a car. Yesterday morning I managed to wheel the three of us to the bus stop in the rain to go join the local playgroup, but mostly we've been at home. We are still tv-free (except for watching a 20 minute dvd once in a blue moon rented from the library- North picks 2 to bring home and I hide them so most of the time he forgets they're even there). Without the boob tube rainy days need to be extra creative and have even more rhythm and flow than usual in order to avoid toddler boredom (aka. major meltdowns).
Here are a few of the many things we've been up to.
Using grains, lentils and pastas to pour, scoop, mix, feel and cook. These activities are a wonderful way to stimulate an energetic toddler's senses. North spent hours preparing, pouring and sorting through these bowls.
Imaginary play. Each basket has a different theme: wooden furniture/house; blocks; finger puppets/gnomes; animals; trucks/cars/planes. I usually get the ball rolling- setting up a scene or two and acting a little story out with whatever object I choose. Then I slowly back away and let North take over. Today he decided the giraffe and horse should go on a long ferry ride, eat some ice cream and then go to the farm.
Leaf tracing. North adored doing this. When there was a brief moment of sunshine today we took the opportunity to go for a long walk (the playground was too wet) and collected some leaves, flowers and bark along the way. I showed North once how to use the length of the crayons to rub the paper. He caught on right away and spent a good 30 minutes (an eternity in toddler time) adding leaves and rubbing them through.
What are some of your favourite toddler activities for rainy days?
xo 
8 comments:
My girls love playing with dough... so that is always a favourite in our house! They also love threading beads. This holiday I plan to make my own beads out of dough and bake them. Construction out of the recycling bin is fun, too.
But I love the leaf tracing idea.... a lost memory from my own childhood... until now :)
Oh I forgot all about leaf tracing! I used to do it all the time as a child. I am definitely doing that with Annie tomorrow! :)
my girl would adore the leaf tracing!!!
Thanks =)
Love the leaf prints. It looks like you have alot of fun rainy day activities. We enjoy building with wood blocks and making bread on rainy days. Painting too. :)
Thank you for the inspiration! Must admit that I can find it hard to come up with activities to fill up the rainy days.
Loving that leaf tracing, cheers from New Zealand. Marie
I love these activities. I must say my little one mostly follows me around the house all day copying what I do. We do pretend play and some reading. I think next I will make her some playdough. Thanks for sharing! Peace, Angela
aww leaf tracing...will do that next!
my girls always loved buttons...thousands and thousands of buttons [sometimes i pilfer them if i need some for a wee knitted purse - so handy]
my friends all thought i was nuts when i first gave my eldest a dish of rice and lentils to play with - so glad your blog exists!
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