10.02.2011

play for a toddler {day 2}

Year27+1

The bubbles have been sitting on the window sill in my kitchen the entire summer.  And I've pulled them out 3 times.  I see them multiple times a day, but I never think to open them up so we can play with them.  That's why I'm doing this month long challenge for myself.  It's my pattern.  I know all these great activities to do, but we never do them because I'm not prepared for it or because I get distracted or because I'm comfortable doing the same 3 things.

As a mom, I've figured out that I need a little more structure and a little more planning.  Nothing too elaborate, because I still believe strongly in the value of free play.  And making a toddler do something he's not interested in is just difficult.  So I've created a little plan for the month, which I'll share more of tomorrow.  For now, here's what we did today.

Mommy (& Daddy) and Me: Bubbles

To say they were a hit would be an understatement.  He loves bubbles.  He tried several times to blow them himself.  He put the wand in his mouth at some point, but quickly learned they weren't so tasty.  We had so much fun and we didn't even have that much time to play with them.  I just loved that it was some intentional time for Hudson and I (and Mike today).






Busy Box Activity:  Magnetic Pom Poms and Muffin Tin

For this activity I bought a muffin tin from the dollar store, although you could just use your own.  I then used tacky glue to glue on some magnets to the extra large pom poms.  This kept him occupied for quite a while when I was cooking dinner.  It took him a bit to figure out how hard to pull to get them out of the muffin cups.


2 comments:

  1. Such a cute idea! I have two-year old twin boys, and like you, I find late afternoon the most difficult. Isn't it funny how bored they get with expensive toys, but things like a muffin tin and some dollar store pom poms keep them happily busy. There's a lesson in there, I think!
    I'm going to try and keep up with your series this month. Cheers, Kerri A Pop of Pretty (apopofpretty.com)

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  2. It's so true that they would rather play with the stuff around the house than those expensive toys. I think Hudson would be content all day if I just let him carry around a yard stick and something off the kitchen counter.

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