Activities to do with the toddlers

My little kids (ages 1.5 and 3.5) have been driving me crazy lately, and I think its because I need to have more activities and time focused towards them.  So much of my day is revolved around housework and homeschooling, I think they act out to get some of my attention.

I’ve worked hard to eliminate clutter from our home (I found the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo to be very inspiring), which makes it so I spend less time putting things away all day.

And I’ve gotten into a good homeschool routine with our older child.  The daily schoolwork expectations are:

• Piano practice (3o minutes)
• Computer time (30 minutes)
  • Khanacademy
  • typing.com
  • xtramath.org
• Journal (1 page writing on a given prompt)
• Science (Mon/Wed), History (Tues/Thurs), OR Art (Fri.)
  • I’m using Abeka for Science, “Story of the World” for History, and art projectsforkids.org for Art ideas
• English lesson (~60 minutes from “Rod and Staff” textbook)
• Math lesson (~60 minutes from “Saxon” textbook)
• Reading (60 minutes)

Generally our 9-year-old can do the majority of his schoolwork alone.  There are some oral drills in English and Math occasionally, and I’m always nearby to answer questions– but the lessons are written in a manner that he can read and learn pretty independently.  (I check his schoolwork DAILY, and go over any problems he misses with him to ensure he’s understanding everything… I think this is key).

So tonight I decided to invest some time in planning activities and projects focused towards the toddlers in my life.  Here is a list of things I’d like to try with them this Summer….

• Yogurt Silly Putty:  Mix together a cup of yogurt with 3/4 cup corn starch  (found this idea here)

• Fireworks Painting Activity (idea found here)

• Pasta Threading activity (idea found here)

• Giant toy-filled ice cube (idea found here)

• Homemade bathtub paint (idea found here)

1 tbsp cornstarch

4-6 pumps baby shampoo (about 1/8 c.)

2-3 drops food coloring

1-2 tsp water

• Little Boy Dream Activity Board

• Homemade Playdough (recipe found here)

1 cup water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon cream of tartar (do not omit– helps keep dough fresh for 6 months!)

Food coloring

Saucepan

1 cup flour

Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm. Remove from heat and add flour. Stir, then knead until smooth. Store in an airtight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.

• Homemade finger paint (recipe found here)

 

4 tablespoons of sugar,  1/2 cup of cornstarch,  2 cups of cold water,  Food coloring

Stir sugar and 1 cornstarch together. Add cold water and heat over medium heat until the mixture is thick (the mixture will further thicken as it cools).  Divide into containers and add food coloring.