Christmas Activity Game

I found these cute activity cards last year on Oopsey Dasiy. Addie loved playing with them last year and when she saw them last week in one of our Christmas tubs she got really excited to play with them again.

Last year I just printed off the cards and glued them on card stock for more stability. This year I laminated them using my favorite toy because some of the edges had bent.

We take turns picking out a card and then acting out the action. Addie really loves it when I start acting goofy. Grace has also had a lot of fun doing this game. She doesn't understand what's going on but she tries to imitate us.

   

Click Here to download your own copy of the cards.

Fun Toddler Ideas

Every day I find myself trying to think of fun things for Addie to keep her entertained. I can never think of anything to do at the time so we end up just driving each other crazy. I decided to make a list of toddler activities so I can just hurry and find something fun to do whenever she starts getting antsy. I'm sure I'm not the only one with a bored toddler so I'm listing it on here in hopes that it might give one of you an idea or two.

This will be a running list that I'm going to keep updating as I find more activities. I would love to hear from you, what things do your toddlers love to do.  

Blow lots of bubbles. We have this bubble set from Gymboree at nursery and it works great. The bubble wand gives you tons of bubbles with one blow plus the bubble solution is the best I've seen. Addie's cute cousins gave her a bubble gun (like this one) for her birthday which is also a hit.You just push the trigger and the bubbles are blown for you.

Finger Paint. Using regular paints and the edible variety.  
Make Cookies, or any other treat. Addie loves to stir all the ingredients and "help" pour everything into the bowl. Plus she gets to taste it as we go along 
Play with Playdough, or the homemade variety.
Play with Cornstarch Goop. Place 1 cup of cornstarch in a large flat dish (a metal baking pan works well) and add water a little bit at a time until "goop" is formed. It should not be too watery and not at all powdery – the consistency of clay. The goop will feel hard when the child picks it up and then will turn to liquid in their hands. The activity works best when the dish is a different color from the goop. Try adding food coloring to the goop for even more fun! Found Here.
Have a Dance Party. Turn up the music and dance away. It's not a party unless mom is dancing too.
Read. Some of our favorite books to read together are: Jamberry, Cookie Count,  Tails, Napping House, Big Hungry Bear, Peek-a-book, I love you


Play with Sidewalk Chalk outside. Or dip the chalk in water and give it a "paint" feel.
Try out Homemade Puffy Paint. Recipe Here.
Water time at the sink. Pull up chair to kitchen sink and fill with water and bubbles. Use cups and bowls for water fun.
Find Colors all around the house and take pictures of them. Print out pictures and create a color book.

Play Dough Recipes

Addie is now getting old enough that I want to start doing crafts and activities with her. We started this week by trying out play dough. I think she is still a little to young to know what to do with it, but it was a good activity that lasted longer than most.


I decided to make the play dough, instead of buying some, because it's so easy and I knew she would want to eat it. I was right, when I first gave it to her she stuck it in her mouth. Here are some fun play dough and clay recipes. The first recipe is the one I used and it came together in literally seconds. I halved the recipes which gave us plenty for Addie and I to share. I'm planning on trying out the other recipes next.


I first gave her some cookies cutters to use but in the end she just wanted a fork to stab it over and over again.

What other crafts or games do you do with toddlers? I could use all the suggestions I can get!!

Play Dough

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon oil
3/4 cup water colored with food coloring

Mix the dry ingredients. Add the water and oil gradually. Add more water if the dough is too dry, or add more flour if it is too sticky. The oil preserves the dough and keeps it soft so it can be used many times. Store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Provide rolling pins and cookie cutters to use with the play dough.

Craft Clay

Combine:
1 cup corn starch
1 1/4 cup salt
2 cups baking soda (1 pound box)
1 tablespoon oil

Cook until thickened to doughlike consistency. Turn mixture out on pastry board and knead. Cover with a damp cloth or keep in a plastic bag. Good for plaques and other models. It can be painted when dry.

Modeling Clay

2 cups salt
2/3 cups water
1 cup corn starch
1/2 cup cold water

Stir salt and 2/3 cups water over heat four to five minutes. Remove from heat. Add corn starch and cold water. Stir until smooth. Cook again until thick. Store in plastic bag. This clay will not crumble when dry.

Baked Clay

4 cups flour
3/4 cup water
1 cup salt

Press out dough and have child make his handprint on it. Bake at 325° for 1 hour. Will be light brown in color.

I got these recipes from Here, a great source for other fun ideas!

Also check out my list of great toys and books for 12 to 24 month olds here.  Gifts for 4 to 5 year olds.