The Everything Toddler Activities Book Read Free Page A

toddler at bath time, make sure that you eliminate all distractions. Turn on the answering machine, do not answer the door, and be sure to have all of your supplies close at hand.
Fizzy Bath Balls
    Liven up your child’s bath time with these homemade fizzy bath balls.
Your toddler can also participate in making them!
    Makes 4–6 balls
    Age group: 18–40 months
    Duration of activity: 10 minutes to make and 1–2 days to dry
    1 cup baking soda
    ½ cup citric acid
    ½ cup cornstarch
    2 tablespoons coconut or almond oil
    1 tablespoon water
Combine dry ingredients.
Mix oil and water, and drizzle onto dry ingredients while stirring. Stir to combine thoroughly.
Shape into balls. Allow to dry for 24–48 hours.
Add a fizzy ball to the bath water. The ball will fizz for a few minutes.
Soap Crayons
    This activity combines an opportunity for creative expression with bathtub fun.
Your child can use these crayons to draw on the tile or on herself!
    Makes 12 crayons
    Age group: 18–40 months
    Duration of activity: 15 minutes to make and 2 days to set
    1 cup soap flakes or powder
    3 tablespoons water
    Washable tempera paint
    Ice cube trays or small paper cups (for molds)
Mix soap and water together to make a stiff dough that can hold its own shape. Add more soap powder or water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
Divide the mixture into 3 or 4 balls. Add a few drops of paint to each portion to create desired colors.
Press mixture into molds and let set for a few days before using as crayons in the tub.
Bathtub Finger Paints
    Most toddlers love to get messy. What better place for a messy activity than the bathtub?
    Activity for an individual child
    Age group: 18–40 months
    Duration of activity: 15 minutes
    2 tablespoons liquid soap
    1 tablespoon cornstarch
    Food coloring
Mix all ingredients together for each color and store in covered containers. Mixture will last for a few weeks.
Let your child use the paints to paint on his body or on the tub tiles. When bath time is over, the paint will rinse away.
Fishing in the Tub
    Children usually enjoy water play. Here is a way to make bath time a fun time.
    Activity for an individual child
    Age group: 18–40 months
    Duration of activity: 15 minutes
    Toy plastic fish
    1 small aquarium net
    Simply add the toy fish to the bath water for your toddler to catch with the net. If you don’t have toy fish, you can cut out some simple creatures from craft foam, or even a kitchen sponge!
Calming and Rest-Time Activities
    Your toddler needs his rest. It is recommended that your toddler get twelve to fourteen hours of sleep in a twenty-four-hour period. It is often very difficult for young children to shift gears. They are unable to go from being active and wound-up to calm and restful without a transitional time. In other words, it is unrealistic to expect that your toddler will be able to go directly from chasing butterflies to a long and peaceful nap. Try to have a set routine with calming activities in place to assist your child in unwinding and preparing to rest.
Back Blackboard
    Try this to help calm your child before bedtime.
You can also massage your child’s hands and feet this way.
    Activity for an individual child
    Age group: 18–40 months
    Duration of activity: 10 minutes
    Body lotion, if desired
Ask your child to lie still on his stomach. Direct him to pay attention to what he feels.
Use your finger to draw on your child’s back. For younger children, make shapes and spirals. For the older child, you can draw specific shapes, letters, or numbers and ask him to guess what they are. Use lotion for a variation.
Roll Up
    Tucking in your child at bedtime can be part of a soothing ritual.
    Activity for an individual child
    Age group: 18–40 months
    Duration of activity: 5 minutes
    Bed
    Extra blanket
Spread the blanket out on top of your child’s made bed.
Have your child lie on top of the blanket on one side of the bed.
Tuck the near side of the blanket over him and gently roll him