If you have a toddler you probably can agree that keeping them entertained is not always easy. The days of rattles, teething rings, and pull toys has come to an end. What was once our peaceful cooing infant is now a rambunctious little person .. a mini version of us! As parents we can sometimes over think of ways that will keep our children busy. In reality there are so many simple, do it yourself, affordable, and most importantly EASY ways we can keep their minds occupied. Here are five of my favorite and most used in my own home.
Bubbles: Every child enjoys playing with bubbles. Let’s admit it, as adults we do too! The only problem with bubbles is when they run out. Instead of making a trip to the store you can easily make them yourself by mixing 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 liquid soap, & 1 tablespoon of cooking oil together. You can even add a little bit of food coloring to make it more exciting. Have a few old wire hangers lying around the floor of your laundry room? Use them! You can manipulate the hangers into a huge bubble wand and create giant bubbles to add to the fun. Pipe cleaners and cookie cutters are also alternatives.
Dress Up: I don’t know about you but I always catch my sneaky girl going into my closet and running around the house in my high heels. Since she has entered her terrific three stage she has had a vast interest in wearing mommy’s clothing & accessories. With Spring Cleaning here it is easy to sift through old clothes and put them aside for playtime. Hats, purses, necklaces, t-shirts, dresses, scarves, and shoes can be put to good use. Even old sheets & pillow cases can be used to create a costume for your little one. Instead of going out and buying costume kits, use what you have. You would be surprised what kind of unique one of a kind creations you can come up with using your own items. Heck, we even use empty wrapping paper rolls as princess wands and light sabers in our house! With a little decoration, sparkle, and ribbon you can make anything. Be creative.
Water Play: Have a hose and a bathing suit? That’s all you need! Get your little person in their swim suit, turn on the sprinkles, and let them run crazy. When the sun is out this is a perfect way to cool down and also get a little bit of exercise in their day. Sometimes I get out her kiddy pool which is slightly too small for her but filled with water can be an extra way to splash around. You can even use your hose to spray them and create a fun game of “water jump rope.” We always start off our water play days by watering the flowers in the back yard. This is just a way to allow your toddler to lend a helping hand and help before playtime. 
Bake: Everyone loves a fresh batch of cookies in the house. If you don’t have a box of cookie mix in your kitchen it is very easy to make your own dough. Your toddler will enjoy helping you pour, stir, and mix the batter. Allow them to make fun shapes with cookie cutters. Before you put the cookies in the oven let them place them on the pan. When the cookies are cooled off they can frost and decorate. This is one of our favorite things to do around here and no one ever complains about the abundance of cookies! 
Explore Nature: Go outside and let your child discover nature and their surroundings. I’m not sure where Toodie got it from but she loves the outdoors. She is always asking to go outside and when she does it is usually to observe. Let them pick flowers, play with sticks, roll around in the grass, and watch little critters crawling around. You can use this opportunity to teach them about bugs, birds, and any reptiles that make cross your path. This will also give them an appreciation for the great outdoors. If you do crafts you can even pick up things like acorns, rocks, shells, and sticks to use in projects later. 
