Wake up Doggie!”
While the children are chanting, remove the bone and give it to one of the children to hide behind his back. All the children should pretend that they are also hiding the bone.
When the children say, “Wake up doggie,” the child who is “It” rises and tries to guess who is hiding the bone.
The child with the bone becomes the new doggie.
Hot and Cold
Help your child develop his listening skills and problem-solving abilities with this game.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Small toy that can be easily hidden
When your child is out of the room, hide a small toy somewhere out of sight.
Have your child return to the room to look for the object. Guide him with verbal cues. When he is approaching the object, tell him, “You are getting hot.” If he moves away from the object, tell him, “You are getting cold.”
This game is most successful if you are expressive and emphatic in your responses. For example, as your child moves closer and closer to the hiding spot, you might say, “Ooh, you are getting warm. Okay, now you are hot. Wow! When you go by the couch, you are even hotter. Now you are burning up!”
Duck, Duck, Goose
The beauty of this traditional party game is that you can adapt it for any theme or occasion.
Is it Easter? You can have the children play Bunny, Bunny, Chick. If they’re learning about colors,
the game can become Green, Green, Yellow.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Have children sit cross-legged in a small circle on the floor. Be sure that there is plenty of room around them.
Choose one child to be “It.” That child walks around the outside of the circle, gently tapping each child on the shoulder.
When “It” taps a child, he also calls out, “Duck.” At a random point, “It” selects a child and calls out, “Goose!”
The goose must stand up and chase “It” around the circle.
“It” tries to run and sit in the vacant spot before the goose tags him. The goose then becomes the next person to be “It.”
Cooperative Games
Many games that are played in elementary schools, playgrounds, and birthday parties encourage competition. This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, young toddlers have very diverse abilities, and they become easily frustrated when
measured up against someone else. These games have the added benefit of helping young children learn positive social skills.
Keep It Up
You can adapt this activity according to the number of participants by simply adding more balls.
You can also use balloons for this activity, but be vigilant with popped balloon pieces
because they can be a choking hazard.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
3 or 4 beach balls
To start the game, have participants stand in a circle.
Toss a few beach balls into the air.
The object is to bat, kick, or tip the balls to keep them from touching the ground.
When a ball hits the ground, it is removed from play. The game continues until all the balls are grounded.
Shrinking Island
This game can be played with children of all ages.
It is best for outdoors as it requires a lot of space.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Old blanket or sheet or several lengths of rope
You will need to define the boundaries of the island. You can use an old picnic blanket or sheet. Alternatively, you can set the boundaries with lengths of rope. Be sure that the area is large enough for all the players to comfortably stand.
Have participants circle around the island without stepping inside. You may wish to play music. Tell the players that they are swimming in the sea and have them imitate swimming motions as they circle around the island.
At the signal (music stops or verbal cue), the players must get out of the sea and go onto the dry land. Once everyone is safe, players can go back in the water.
After each round, the island becomes smaller and smaller. To make it shrink, fold the edges of the sheet under, or move the ropes closer together. The goal is for players to work together to make sure that everyone can fit on the island.
Octopus Tag
Also called hug tag, this is a less competitive version of regular tag.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Like traditional tag, one person starts out being “It” and tries to tag other players.
When a player is caught, he joins arms with “It.”
This ever-growing mass of children must stay connected and try to move as one to capture the next child.
Group Games
Group games are a great way to help your child develop social skills, as they call for the players to interact with each other. These games are good for times when you have a group of children together. Older children and even adults may also enjoy playing.
Circle Chase
This game will help your child with eye/hand coordination and will also build her cooperation skills. Engage your child’s imagination and add to the fun by assigning characters to the balls. Perhaps you can have the dog chase the cat or the bird chase the worm.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
2 balls (must be different in size, color, or texture)
Have children sit cross-legged in a small circle on the floor.
Provide 2 balls for the children to pass. Like the game of Hot Potato, children pass objects around a circle. Remind the children to pass objects gently without throwing.
Tell the children this is a chasing game.
Each ball is a separate character in the chase. Start the balls at different places in the circle. Have children pass the balls until the one “catches” the other.
Hug Rover
This is a variation of the traditional game Red Rover.
This version is less boisterous and does not encourage aggression.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Have participants split into two equal groups. Each group holds hands to form a line. Stand the lines so they face each other.
Alternate turns for each side. One side picks on a child from the other side and calls, “Red Rover, Red Rover, will you tell (child’s name) to come over?”
The child that is called runs over.
Rather than trying to break through the line, the child stops when he arrives. The line gathers around and gives him a group hug.
Sardines
This is a variation of Hide-and-Seek. This game usually results in lots of giggles. If a lot of children are playing or the hiding places are small, you can have more than one child hide.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 45 minutes
Kitchen timer (optional)
Designate one child to hide. Have the remaining children hide their eyes and wait. (You can have them count or you can use a kitchen timer.)
Once the waiting is over and the designated child is hiding, the hunt can begin.
When a seeker finds the hiding child, he quietly joins her in the hiding spot.
Each child who finds the hiders joins them. The children may have to squeeze together for all to fit (thus, the name of the game).
The last child to find the group becomes the next hider.
Games for Two
Shadow Tag
This game can be played with more than two, but it tends to get too chaotic.
The game must be played outdoors in the morning or late afternoon when the shadows are long.
Activity for two players
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
.
This game is based upon the traditional game of tag. The difference is that the person who is “It” tries to tag the other person by stepping on his shadow. The other person dodges to protect his shadow. Remind players that this not a contact sport.
Toe Wrestling
This lively game will help your child develop motor skills and balance. It is recommended that one of the players be an older child or adult who can help keep some restraint on the activity.
Activity for two players
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Both players remove their shoes and socks.
Hold hands and stand facing your child. Place your feet so that your toes are just touching your child’s.
The object is to gently pin the other person’s toes under your own. Only toes may be used. Try to keep the sole of the foot on the floor. Kicking or stomping is not allowed.
Paper Games
All you need is some creativity to make some cute activities for your toddler to enjoy. Your older child can also play more sophisticated paper games such as Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman.
Halves
This is a cooperative activity. Older children may wish to try creating animals and other creatures, too. You can adapt this activity for three or four players by simply folding the paper into that many sections.
Activity for two players
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
1 sheet white bond paper
Crayons or markers for drawing
Fold the sheet of paper in half.
Each player draws half of a person on half of the paper, without seeing the other half.
One player draws a head, neck, and arms. Lines must extend a tiny bit below the fold so that the second player can see where to pick up.
The second player turns the paper over and draws the torso, legs, and feet.
Unfold the paper to reveal your work!
The Clown Says
This is a simple game that you can create that will help your child with
following directions and motor development.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Scissors
Paper plate
Poster board
Brad (metal paper fastener, available at office supply stores)
Markers
Make a small hole in the center of the paper plate.
Cut a small arrow out of the poster board, and make a small hole in the center. Use the brad to fasten the arrow to the plate. Leave it loose enough to spin freely.
Use the markers to draw a clown onto the plate; incorporate the spinner as one of his arms. (If your artistic skills are lacking, you can just call the game Stick Man Says.)
Divide the plate like a pie into 4 or 6 sections. In each section, either draw or glue on a picture that depicts a movement. For example, a picture of 2 hands could mean clapping.
Have your child spin the spinner, then act out the movement that the clown is pointing to. You may need to assist the younger child.
Consider taking a few turns yourself. Perhaps let your child spin the wheel for you.
Create Your Own Game
There is no end to the games that you can create! The easiest place to start is to adapt some of the basic sports. A tennis ball and broom can be used for a golf game. Use a beach ball for a gentle variation of soccer. Here are some other ideas to get you started.
Basketball
This simplified version focuses on the skill of throwing and aiming the ball.
Activity for an individual child or a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Basketball hoop alternatives (laundry hampers and boxes work well)
Small ball or beanbag
Choose various objects that you will use for baskets.
Let your child stand back from the basket and try to toss a ball or beanbag in. Keep track of how many shots he makes in a row.
Bowling
Your child will be using his large motor skills when playing this game.
You can set this game up inside or outside.
Activity for an individual child or a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
6 clean 2-liter soda bottles
1 ball
Arrange the soda bottles like bowling pins. If you are playing outside, put some sand in the bottles to keep them from blowing over.
Show your child how to roll a ball to knock down the pins.
Fast and Simple Games
Toddler games don’t need to take a lot of time or preparation. Count on these ideas to add some fun whenever you need it!
Count Them Up
Players work together in this fun game that helps pass the time.
Younger children who cannot count can still help spot the items.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 5 minutes
One person is the leader. She announces a common item such as trucks or stop signs to be counted by the group.
Everyone works together to spot and count the objects.
Once the group counts to ten, a new leader chooses a new item.
Fill and Dump
Some toddlers can spend a lot of time repeatedly filling and dumping! Be sure to choose items that are not a choking hazard for your child. Large empty thread spools or bristle blocks work well.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–30 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
2 or 3 containers
Small household objects
Give the child the containers filled with the objects. If the container has a lid, show the child how to shake the container to make noise.
Encourage your toddler to dump and fill the containers!
Wizard of Oz
This easy game is a variation of Peek-a-Boo.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 12–24 months
Duration of activity: 5 minutes
A stable curtain or drape
Show your child how to hide behind the drape or curtain. You can even have her go behind a shower curtain.
Either you or your child may push the curtain aside for the big reveal. Take turns hiding and revealing.
When you reveal, you may wish to make a funny face or posture to surprise your child.
CHAPTER 10
Backyard and Nature Activities
There is no better classroom for your child than the world around him. He learns best by direct, hands-on exploration. Abstract concepts are made real when your child can touch and smell and squish the things he is learning about. You do not have to go far to find interesting and fun things for your child to explore. Right outside your door are plenty of opportunities for play and learning. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Gardening Activities
Gardening can be fun for all ages. Your young toddler may simply enjoy playing in the dirt and feeling the cool breeze on her skin. In addition to the wonderful sensory experiences of gardening, there is a special gratification in nurturing something and watching it grow. Let your child help you plant this year’s garden. Sunflowers, bean
s, and zinnias are particularly hardy and grow quickly, making great starter plants for the youngest gardener.
Changing Colors
This is a magical science experiment. Your child can concretely see how plants drink.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
1 clear cup of water
Food coloring
Scissors
1 stalk of celery or 1 head Queen Anne’s lace
Fill a clear glass with water. Add enough food coloring to distinctly color the water.
Cut the celery stalk and place it in the glass. See how long it takes for the celery to take on the color of the water.
Pressed Flowers
You will be surprised how easy it is to get a nice result from pressing flowers.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 3 days
Your choice of flowers
Waxed paper or newspaper
Wooden blocks or a large hardcover book
The Everything Toddler Activities Book Page 11