Help & Inspiration

[Maxine73]

Hi All, Please could you give me some ideas for activities with young children. I have 2 boys aged 12mths(non walker) and 14mths what kind of things could I set up for them. They are both still in to putting things in their mouth so abit worried about a lot of the craft activities I would do with older children. How do you do outdoor play in this weather when you cant go on the grass with the non walker. Thanks in advance

[loocyloo]

hello!

I would be doing lots of exploratory play - maybe a treasure basket, or sensory baskets with a selection of objects in - different size/texture/colour etc balls to roll and catch - basket of instruments - bells, shakers, drums. - basket of metal or wooden objects.

cars and a simple ramp to slide them down ( book resting on a couple of blocks ), dolls and doll bottles/blankets. my LO at 14 mths loved having dolls wrapped up and carrying them around on her lap as she bottom shuffled!

messy play - put a tuff spot ( builders mixing tray ) on the floor with some cooked pasta to explore, or if you are prepared for mess ( ) try flour, jelly, custard, mash potato etc

singing songs, with puppets/toys and actions ( and instruments )

outside - would the non walker sit on a ride on? I have some low ones that even the non walkers like to sit on and view from. can you stand/sit at a sand pit? put the tuff tray outside with sand in? ( would suggest water but its maybe a bit cold! ) go in a swing? put them in a buggy and go for a walk?
put a waterproof rug down and sit on that with non walker? but to be honest, my LOs go outside in all in one waterproofs and just crawl around getting grubby and having fun exploring!

craft - i'm not into 'finished' articles, so I would probably put some paint on the table/tray and let them move it around with their hands and maybe take a print from it ( last Christmas I did this, then added glitter! ) maybe let them poke & prod playdough.

have fun xxx

[clareelizabeth1]

I always do out door play even with they can't walk. I keep a supply if rain suits and just wrap them up all children love the outdoors and it find they are happier for the fresh air.

As for crafts you can put paper in a punch pocket squirt in a little pain then tape shut the punch pocket. Let the children poke and smear the paint. They can't put it in their mouths but still get a picture at the end.

You can also make finger paint from cooking corn flour and water then mixing with food colouring. This then lets the children feel the paint and you don't have to worry if they try some.

[Kidston]

These are all fab ideas im stealing too!