Things You'll Need:
- See below
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Step 1
Make playdough (see my other article), and lay out cookie cutters, plastic knives, forks, and spoons for them to cut through it. You could also leave out a rolling pin -- kids love that!
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Step 2
Give your child some magnets and a metal pan to play with. You can use regular magnets or alphabet magnets, just make sure they aren't glass or breakable.
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Step 3
Keep a big stock of puzzles on hand. I bought a pack of 4 from Wal-Mart for $3. You can also go to the various dollar stores and buy puzzles. If they do not come with a board behind them, you can store them in individual ziplock bags. We play "puzzle circle" and put 5 puzzles in a circle in the middle of the living room -- the kids take turn putting a puzzle together and then moving to the next one (you can set a timer for this as well).
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Step 4
Let your child make a necklace out of beads, buttons, or even pasta. If your child puts things in his/her mouth, be sure to closely supervise. (You could also have them make a necklace/bracelet out of Cheerios or Fruit Loops for an edible version.)
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Step 5
Look for four leaf clovers. This is actually a fun activity for parents as well! Get out there on your hands and knees with a magnifying glass and see who can find one first. If you have a child that gets upset easily, take a three leaf clover and superglue another clover onto it beforehand just in case you don't find one. :)
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Step 6
Teach your child how to roll coins. Get out his/her piggy bank, or your coin jar, and roll the coins with them. Again, closely supervise if your child puts things in their mouth.
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Step 7
Set up a finger painting station, with pudding! You can use a disposable pie pan, or a sturdy paper plate, or anything really. Just put some pudding in it (you can use food coloring to turn vanilla pudding red, blue, or even purple), and let your child draw letters, shapes, etc. They can eat it when they're done! Yum!
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Step 8
Set up a makeshift clothesline in the living room and let your child hang his or her own clothes up. Make sure it's low enough for them to reach it. I recommend stringing it between two high-back chairs from the kitchen. Watch out for clothespins pinching little fingers!
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Step 9
Use a sheet of cardboard, some glue, and some beans, to make bean art. You can draw a picture on the cardboard beforehand or you can let your child "freestyle". Use different kinds of beans to make it more interesting.
