Infants & Toddlers

Infants and Toddlers

Below is a list of play activities that are fun and encourage age-appropriate development. Please check back periodically for fresh and new ideas.

READ BOOKS: talk about the pictures using simple words
Hide things under blankets and pillows and encourage them to find them.
Play with blocks, balls, puzzles, books, and toys that teach cause and effect and problem solving.
Provide toys that encourage pretend play; for example, dolls, play telephones.
Provide balls for her to kick, roll and throw.
Blow, chase and pop bubbles.
Help your child do puzzles with shapes, colors, or farm animals. Name each piece as your child puts it in place.
Do art projects with your child using crayons, paint, and paper. Describe what your child makes and hang it on the wall or refrigerator.
Sit or stand in front of a mirror making faces and pointing out body parts.
Make a texture book, collect a variety of materials, such as cloth, burlap, foil, wax paper and bubble wrap.
Glue a large square onto a construction sheet of paper.
Set your child in your lap and sing songs with hand movements (i.e. Wheels on The Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and 5 Little Monkeys).
Dance with your child on your hip.
Clear out your kitchen cupboard and let your child experiment by using pots, pans and spoons as musical instruments. (Be sure not to use sharp objects).

Put a number of small bath toys in the water and give your child a net to catch them.
Bath books are great to distract your baby if she gets upset in the bath.
Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the water to have a colorful and fun bath.
Pouring water out of a plastic cup from a height can keep children fascinated.
Create “rainmaking” toys by piercing the lids (or bottoms) of yogurt containers, or use a strainer, a watering can, or a plastic sugar shaker.
Try misting your child with water in a spray bottle (they’ll likely try to mist you too!)
Bath Mirror: purchase a plastic mirror and offer your tot and opportunity to see all those silly hairstyles you make with their silky locks.
Say the name of the body part you are washing during bath time.
On different days use a different textured washer such as a sponge so that your baby can experience different textures.
Freeze a small bath toy in a plastic cup of water, peel off the cup and watch the ice melt in the bath.