How to Keep My Toddler Busy During the Day at Home

Sit down and get into the child's world by playing with him.

If you are a mom, dad, grandparent or friend who takes care of a toddler all day, you are probably constantly looking for ways to keep the child busy throughout the day. Taking care of a toddler is not an easy task. It requires patience, activities and careful planning. When you choose activities for a toddler, select ones that provide entertainment for the child as well as a learning experience.

Instructions

1. Make a schedule. The first and foremost way to keep a toddler busy throughout the day is to develop a regular routine. The toddler will learn through this habit what to expect from the day. On the schedule, include meal times, play times, work times, nap times and other activities. Once you develop a schedule, stick with it as often as possible.

2. Play with the child. Schedule time periods throughout the day where you will play with the child. Choose activities he would like or let him choose. Toddlers like playing with many different things, including dress-up, building with blocks, dolls or trucks and games.

3. Give the child chores. A toddler is not mature enough to handle hard chores, but to help keep him busy, make him feel valuable by helping out with household chores. During the day when you are cleaning around the house, give him a child-size broom and dustpan. Ask the child to sweep a floor. Other tasks for a toddler are dusting, sorting laundry and organizing various things.

4. Involve the child. Throughout the day, ask the child to help assist you in various duties and activities. If you are preparing dinner, ask the child to wash vegetables. If you are baking, have the child add ingredients or stir the batter.

5. Offer activities in each room. Keep certain toys and activities put away until needed. For example, have a bag of magnetic letters stored in the kitchen. When you are doing the dishes or trying to accomplish something in the kitchen, take the bag of letters out and give it to the child. Even if he has played with them before, he will most likely enjoy playing with them again.

6. Turn on a movie. Most toddlers do not have long attention spans; however, if you find a certain movie or TV show that the child loves, this can entertain him for a little while. It is never good to have the child watch TV for an entire day, but watching a show here and there will not harm him.

7. Do something fun. Make time to do something exciting with the child to break up the monotony. Take out some blankets and build a fort in the dining room or haul out the art supplies and help the child create something from them.

References

• Toddler Activities: Toddler Activities