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Keeping your toddler entertained

Toddlers are very lively and inquisitive, so it’s important to keep them entertained for as long as you can. A few simple, inexpensive ideas include:

Kitchen and bath time games

Playing with pasta

Pasta in penne or macaroni forms can be painted, and threaded onto strings for a fun, creative and inexpensive game.

Play dough

You can either make or buy play dough that’s totally safe and edible – remembering that toddlers will put most things they come into contact with into their mouths.

Cooking for real

Try cooking biscuits and cakes together, as all the preparation tends to be done with raw ingredients and no cooking or heat until all the fun stuff is finished. Gingerbread men and women are good fun characters to use, and decorating clothes and faces can be great fun for you both.

It’s important to keep health and safety issues at the forefront of your mind when you’re playing in the kitchen. Exaggerate all the usual precautions you take, such as washing your hands, or being careful with knives and hot ovens. Explain clearly to your toddler what you’re doing and why.

Water play

Make bath time last a bit longer and introduce lots of different toys to the bath to keep your toddler entertained.

Other creative games

Painting and colouring

These activities are always great fun for you both, and allow your child to indulge in whatever kind of artistic endeavour she enjoys most, whether it’s colouring in a book or making free-hand artistic splodges of colour. Expect to see lots of pictures produced, and be ready to stick them around your kitchen.

Dressing up

Children of all ages love dressing up, so keep a big supply of dressing up clothes and accessories like hats and scarves. Keep Halloween outfits, your old party dresses or find outfits in second hand shops. Suggest characters she might like to dress up as, and make sure there’s a big mirror around for her to admire herself in.