Summer is the perfect time for playing outside and trying all the new things that we grown-ups might consider too messy for inside play. Toddlers love to explore and sensory activities are important for this age. Keep in mind that toddlers can be very temperamental and extremely picky about the things they want to do. Many don’t like to get their hands messy with paint. But they’ll almost invariably love to finger paint with shaving cream, instant pudding or Cool Whip.
Here are some of my favorite activities that you can also do inside on a rainy or scorching hot day. I promise you’ll have a blast. And what’s a little mess when you’re building new memories?
Kathy Lee is the infant toddler specialist for the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. Visit www.childcarenassau.org.
Clean Mud
- 1 bar of white soap
- 1 roll of toilet paper
- water
- 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid (optional for color and scent)
- bowl
- Cut the soap into small “chunks.”
- Have the children tear off sheets of the toilet tissue and add them to the bowl.
- Slowly add the water and squish the toilet tissue and soap together creating “mud.”
- Add Kool-Aid and squish.
Cornstarch (Goop)
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cups of cornstarch
- food coloring (optional)
- Slowly add 1 cup of water to 2 cups of cornstarch in a bowl.
- Stir until the water is absorbed by the cornstarch.
- Add food coloring if desired.
Tip: To remove goop from carpets, allow it to dry, then brush or vacuum. Goop may be re-used after it has dried out. Crumble it to a powder then restore it to the original consistency by adding water, a spoonful at a time.
Shaving Cream Paint
Let children paint right on the table top. You could also paint on cookie sheets to minimize a mess. (Not only does it clean up well, it smells great.) You can add a few drops of food coloring to the shaving cream to create pretty pastels. Wash their hands when they’re finished to avoid skin irritation and keep out of eyes.
Visit www.ooeygooey.com, “resources” then “handouts” for more activities.