How do you spend time with your child? Do you let them watch television? Do you let them play with video game consoles? Do you read bedtime stories to them? No matter what you do, they are surely enjoying every second you get to spend with them. And look, you’re busy. There’s no judgment here. You can’t spend all day coloring books with them and baking fun-shaped cookies.
But here’s the thing: you need to learn to spend at least the weekend doing something that will boost their skills. Do you have crossword puzzle and book subscriptions? Those are great activities to do with kids. They can learn about complex problem-solving skills and, at the same time, spend time creating memories with you. Such subscriptions will send you a different crossword puzzle every so often that you won’t run out of ideas.
Want to know what else your toddler will love to do? This list of activities is focused on improving your child’s imagination and creativity. These are designed to introduce children to new concepts and having them face the unknown.
Building Blocks
Did you play with building blocks when you were a kid? You know how much fun building stuff from these objects is. Get them the blocks appropriate for their ages and start building fortresses, palaces, houses, and other stuff. This teaches creativity, dexterity, and fine motor skills.
Simon Says
Play a simplified version of Simon Says. You can start with simple rules such as “Simon Says touch your cheeks.” As you go along, you will notice that your child has an easier time following simple instructions. You can then make more complex instructions such as “Simon Says fetch the ball and hand it to your sister.” This game teaches how to follow instructions and gross motor skills.
Sink or Float
Do this when your child is taking a bath. Use objects of different sizes and weights so that others will sink while some will float. Drop the items one by one into the water and see which of them float or sink. Teach them why the heavier objects sink to the bottom of the tub and why the lighter objects float. This teaches cognition and early scientific development.
Color Sorting
Mix a variety of objects with different colors and then ask your kid to sort them according to colors. This is also the best time to teach them different shades of the same color. This activity teaches cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination.
Matching Game
You can create your own memory cards or buy one from the toy shop. Put the cards face down and slowly open cards to let your child remember where they are. Close the cards once you’ve given them enough time to memorize their places. After a few seconds, let your child find out where the cards are by closing and opening them one by one. This will improve your kid’s memory, as well as their cognitive skills.
Finger Painting
Your kid will surely love getting paint on their hands and clothes. Just make sure that you’re working with washable paint and old clothes. Tape a piece of paper to the table and open bottles of washable paint. Let your child take control of whatever objects they want to draw or however they want to play with the paint. It teaches motor skills and sensory skills. Also, it’s so much fun!
Try to make your weekends about your child. Let them have fun on those two days. You have enough time anyway to clean up after them. That’s just part of growing up. Eventually, you have to teach them how to clean up after themselves so that they can play to their heart’s content.
