Rainy days, snowy skies, or even just the blazing summer heat are all things that might keep you and your little ones at home and inside but fear not! Even though you might hear “I’m bored!” ten times a day, there are tons of things to do at home with kids that will help burn energy, develop social-emotional skills, and have them proclaiming, “This is the best day ever!”
Toddler activities at home don’t have to be expensive or difficult to set up. The key to finding toddler activities at home is to change things up, whether that’s using toys in new ways or getting creative with household items.
Fort Building Fun at Home with Kids
Building a fort is a fun thing to do at home for kids and grownups alike because it requires a ton of creative thinking, not just on the part of the children. It also helps with gross and fine motor skills, making it even more multifaceted.
First, have your kids go on a scavenger hunt around the house for things that might be useful for building a fort. You can even work on some educational goals and learning objectives with this type of toddler activity at home, like suggesting that each child chooses a color and finds items that match that color.
Then, start your building! Let your kids take the lead here and get them to figure out what items will make a good base, walls, floor, etc. It might take some trial and error and there might be some epic fails along the way, but that’s all part of the fun of doing things at home with kids.
Themed Bath Times
It’s often said that when kids just can’t calm down, put them in water. Whether that’s a shower, bath, or pool, it provides a change of scenery that gives everyone a mood boost. An idea that’s sure to excite your little ones is to make themed baths. This is a great activity for toddlers at home and preschool-aged kids, too.
To do this, you’ll need:
- Food coloring
- Waterproof toys
- Books for adult to read
First, choose your theme. Your little ones can help with this, but it’s also fun to create a surprise theme every now and then. An easy one to start with is an ocean theme. Add just a few drops of body-safe blue food coloring (or more if you want to make it the darker, mysterious blue of the deep sea).
Next, add in your child’s favorite sea-themed toys, like mermaids, fish, and boats. It’s fun to have a mix of toys that sink and float so they are enticed immediately by the ones they see but also have the excitement of searching for more. As your little one splashes and explores, you can sit by the tub and read them an on-theme book that gets their imagination working even more.
Exciting Days at Home
Getting out of the house some days is great, but don’t underestimate the magic of spending time at home with your loved ones. With these things to do at home with kids, you’ll create priceless memories and even discover new traditions that will keep your family smiling.