Rainy day play
The British weather is hardly known for its consistency, and this summer is proving no different so far. So, to stop you and your toddler going up the walls when it's pelting down outside, it's always a good idea to have a play box packed with things your toddler can do indoors.
You don’t always need an endless supply of high-tech toys; most things around the house can be transformed into activity centres using household objects. Here are seven ideas to get you started.
1. Make a collage
Toddlers can be introduced to making things, handling different materials and being creative.
Your toddler will have loads of fun sticking glitter, different fabrics, wool, cut out pictures from old magazines, pipe cleaners, pasta and anything else you can think of to some stiff card (a cut up cereal box works well).
Encourage your child to choose a theme for their collage, such as a beach, garden or pirates, so that they can think creatively how to build a theme.
Obviously, you shouldn't give your toddler sharp scissors or superglue to do this, and supervise them closely at all times.
2. Bake a cake
This can get messy and may involve you doing most of the work, with the children ‘helping’ by breaking the eggs into the bowl, sifting the flour or splodging the mixture into the baking tins.
Decorating with icing and sprinkles once the cakes are cooked is great fun. Why not cook up a batch of plain fairy cakes for a toddlers' play date, then ask the kids to decorate them however they like.
Try this recipe for fairy cakes:
Ingredients
• 4 free-range eggs
• 225g/8oz sugar
• 225g/8oz self-raising flour
• 225g/8oz butter, melted
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and place 12 fairy cake cases onto a baking tray. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually sift in the flour and the melted butter, and fold in gently. Pour the mixture into the fairy cake cases. Bake the cakes for 10-15 minutes, until golden on top.
Put different coloured icing, chocolate buttons, hundreds and thousands and even bits of chopped up fruit out for the children to decorate the cakes.
3. Painting
It's useful to have old shirts to put toddlers in so they don’t damage their clothes. Water colours are non-toxic if put in mouths and are easier to wash off.
Ideas for paintings could include: a picture of the rainy day outside the window, an imaginary picture of a jungle, a picture of a recent holiday you’ve been on or a place that your child remembers and enjoys. You could also try putting a bowl of fruit on the table and getting your toddler to paint it – their first still life!.
4. Play dough
Play dough is quick to make and is easier for young children to handle than plasticine or clay.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• half a cup of salt
• food coloring (optional)
Method 1 - saucepan
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan at a low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens to a firm dough texture. Adding food colour to the mixture will create different colours.
Method 2 - microwave
Place all the ingredients in a plastic container and cook for one-and-a-half minutes in a microwave. Stir the mixture and microwave again for one minute. Set up an area where the children can do modelling and make things. Flour is good for stopping the mixture from sticking to the work tops.
Ideas for simple things your child could make include: stick people, snakes, balls, caterpillars, leaves, rainbows, starfish, flowers and snails.
5. Movie afternoon
If you fancy something a bit less messy that doesn’t involve spreading newspaper everywhere, watching a DVD is a great way for the whole family to relax together. The preparation can be as fun as watching the film. Making popcorn and drinks together and laying it out on the table, arranging the cushions, beanbags and any extra chairs, and shutting the curtains to create a real ‘cinema’ atmosphere will all help make it special. And the best thing of all? You get to thoroughly immerse yourself in all the old Disney cartoons.
6. Go for a walk
If's been raining for days on end, sometimes the cabin fever kicks in and you just have to bite the bullet and go outside regardless. Umbrellas and waterproofs will take care of the rain for you - but don't worry about your toddlers, they don't mind rain, they probably won't even notice it and will love splashing in the puddles.
Choose a route going through a park or a bit of country, and take along some jam jars to collect things along the way. Snails, worms, frogs - anything that comes out when it rains are endless sources of fascination. Bring a buggy with you in case your toddler gets tired, and don’t walk too far.
7. Jigsaw puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles can be hours of fun, and can range in difficulty in the size of pieces, growing with your toddler as they develop. It is easier the find the outside pieces with the straight edges first, and start from the outside in. This teaches the toddler about shapes and spacial awareness, and involves lots of thinking in working out how the puzzle fits together.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Published August 2008