Toddlers are a group of children who fall into the age range of 1 to 3 years old. If you have one at home, you certainly understand their stereotypes! They are wild, they are into everything, they demand attention, and of course, they are extremely loving too! Did I mention that they are also naturally creative? Toddlers love to find new ways to use ordinary objects like wearing a bowl as a hat or coloring with lipstick.
Raising a toddler can be a taxing task, but is one of the age stages that most parents never forget because of the leaps and bounds they watch their child makes. Your little one has a rapidly developing brain that is like a sponge during these pertinent years. Here are 5 unique play ideas to nurture their curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and enhance their creativity.
Make an Invention Box
This is a wonderful way to find a home for all those items you don’t have any use for anymore! Find a shoebox or a plastic box, then place old (but safe and super visible) objects such as a phone, old socks, washed-out plastic containers, straws, pipe cleaners-pretty much anything that’s in your recycling can and junk drawers. Pick up an object or two and make something new out of it, modeling out loud what you’ve made. For example, you can take a plastic cup, and place a pipe cleaner flower inside of it and say you’ve made a new vase.
Not only will an invention box stretch your child’s thinking, but it will also enhance and increase their vocabulary skills and ability to communicate during this mini STEM activity!
Finish the Song
Your older toddler will love filling in the blanks of a silly song that you make up. Rearrange the lyrics to popular songs that your child already knows the tune of, like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star;” or “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.” You can also use this time to teach them about nursery rhymes (Jack and Jill), and change the wording, in order for your toddler to fill in a unique, silly, or creative alternative when you pause! This type of activity encourages your child to think on their feet, develop banter and wit, and learn that they can be funny and silly while being creative!
What Can You Build With…
Another modified STEM challenge for your little learner, you can play, “What Can You Build With..” in order to develop their creative thinking skills. Give your toddler 10 blocks and ask them what they can make out of it. You can model the process by making a mini dog house, or arranging the 10 blocks into a letter E. You may want to start by giving your child a large number of blocks at first to build their confidence and slowly start to decrease the number of blocks they get to work with after they become proficient with the skill. You’ll be amazed at what your toddler will create!
Design a Fairy or Gnome Garden
Much of children’s creativity comes from playing outdoors and connecting with nature. Why not let them design their own Fairy or Gnome garden? You can find these fun figurines at cost-friendly places like a Dollar Store or a local home and garden center. Together, designate an area to set up the garden. After obtaining some plants (that they helped you select), allow your child to place the figurines where they please. This way, they have their very own, special spot outdoors to play and imagine, and it gives them a break from playing with traditional toys and encourages imagination and role playing when using the figures.
Doodle, Doodle
Toddlers love Doodle Doodle because that’s all they can pretty much make at this point on paper! Draw a random doodle for your child and sit back and reflect on the abstract piece together. Using a different color crayon, create something out of the doodle. For example, you may turn the scribbles into a frog, or a cat; based on what you see. Ask your toddler what they see when they look at your doodle and help them capture it by completing their vision. Eventually, after enough practice, they will be able to follow your lead. Until then, invite them to make the simple doodle on a paper and you use think out loud strategies to turn their scribble into a masterpiece!
Have you noticed a common theme with developing creativity? All suggestions require hands-on activities and need you to think aloud so your child understands the creative process. Despite popular belief, creativity in fact can be learned and isn’t always instantly embedded into a child. These easy to implement and fun tips will help your toddler stretch their mind with minimal resources and time.