10 Activities to Keep a Toddler Busy

With two little girls running (or crawling) around these parts, I spent some time over the summer looking up various activities I might be able to try with either or both of the girls. They get tired of just playing with their toys all day, and we can't always get outside so it's fun to try new things. We didn't get to try as many things as I would've liked, as Chloe is still too young to be able to do a whole lot, but I did find so many good ideas to share. 

1. A Colorful Rice Garden

All you need for this one is a container to keep it in, some rice, food coloring and rubbing alcohol. Visit Share and Remember for the full instructions and more photos. 

[ Source: Share and Remember via Pinterest ]

2. Bubble Bath Paint

Very simple to make, and can keep the entertained for a little extra bath time fun. See Meet the Dubiens for the ingredients and instructions. You could also do shaving cream paints. 

[ Source: Meet the Dubiens via Pinterest ]

3. Fabric Squares in a Baby Wipe Dispenser

Very simple, and you can use any pattern of fabric that you like. I wish I would've found this pin sooner! Visit A Spotted Pony to see the full details. 

[ Source: A Spotted Pony via Pinterest ]

4. Themed Sensory Bath

This princess-themed bath is so detailed and looks like so much fun for that little princess in your life. There are also other fun bath time ideas listed at the beginning of the post at Growing a Jeweled Rose. This particular example might be better for a child a bit older, but could still be used for a younger child. 

[ Source: Growing a Jeweled Rose via Pinterest ]

5. DIY Car Track with Tape

I've looked but can't find the original source of this image, but how easy would this be to recreate? 

[ Source: Pinterest ]

6. Play-Dough Filled Balloons

This particular article, I found at Play Create Explore, but you'll find the more detailed post about it at Somewhat Simple. Basically stuff your balloons with play-dough and squeeze away. 

[ Source: Play Create Explore via Pinterest ]

7. Mess-Free Finger Painting

Such a simple but fun idea - paints inside a freezer bag.

[ Source: The Hippie Housewife via Pinterest ]

8. Magnets + Cookie Sheet

This is one of those ideas where you can really get creative and use any kind of kid-friendly magnet or little trinkets you have around. 

[ Source: Mommy Lifestyle via Pinterest ]

9. Pom-Pom Drop Bottle

For this one you could use any (clean) plastic jar or container that you have laying around. 

[ Source: Toddler Tinkerings via Pinterest ]

10. Toddler Activity Bags

All kinds of good ideas, and perfect for travelling, too!

[ Source: Chasing Cheerios via Pinterest ]

What are some of your favorite activities to keep the little ones busy?

The Act of Rotating Baby Toys

This winter while visiting my best friend A. and her husband (with 3.5 month old Chloe), we went to visit one of A's friends - a mother of three children. Now, I believe she is the mother of all mothers. Her children all seem so perfectly behaved every. single. time. that I see them, and they're adorable, too. 

One thing that she did that I absolutely loved had to do with the children's toys. She would take toys that they were growing tired of, and put them away. When she would take them back out weeks or months later, it was like a whole new toy and they wanted to play with it again. She did this all the time, rotating the toys a bit. 

Chloe & Madi (boyfriend's daughter) have a few too many toys

Once Chloe was old enough and showing interest in her toys, I tried to do this a little myself. It was a little hard, since she didn't have too many toys worth hiding, but I did manage to hide one toy. A Fisher Price picnic basket, that was a little advanced for her age - since all she wanted to do was suck on the handle instead of actually try putting the shaped in the holes. 

So I put it away a couple of months ago and just today brought it out for her to retry. 

Since it was just one toy, and she was getting a little tired and cranky, she didn't play with it super long, but definitely longer than had I thrown any old toy in front of her. I still call it a success. 

Now that we have a mixture of Chloe's toys and Madi's toys, I will someday soon sort through the whole bunch and hide a few things to bring out again later. Especially since Chloe will hopefully be getting a few new toys next month for her big ol' birthday. 

Do you rotate your children's toys? If so, how has it worked for you? 

* If you're interested in the picnic basket it's the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Sweet Sounds Picnic. And might I suggest one other toy I love even more? Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Say Please Tea Set. Even I still enjoy and am not sick of the tea pot. I love that it makes a water pouring sound when you tip it over. 

* * Ps. I was not compensated or anything for this post, these are just toys I genuinely love that Chloe has. However, if you purchase the toys through my links I get a teeny tiny commission.