Is it Fall yet? It’s July, and I am already day-dreaming about cooler weather. No amount of pool water or iced drinks can save me from this summer heat. Where are my pumpkin spice-loving, oversized sweater-wearing, boot-loving mamas at? Nice to “meet” you, and let’s get together outside in October. Sound good?
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s important to get outdoors year-round, but summer isn’t my favorite season. As a mom to a toddler and a baby, it is often exhausting and overwhelming to take them out in the heat.
» » RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Ultimate Guide to Summer in the Albuquerque Area « « «
Lately, I’ve been harnessing my creativity and planning fun and easy activities for my toddler to do indoors. I have to say, I think I am having just as much fun as he is with some of these new and timeless activities. I hope some of these give you inspiration and a much-needed break from the heat.
Dot Art
Not ready to dive into painting with your toddler yet? I hear you, and I am with you. These dot paint sticks have been a hit with my two year old. Lay out an old plastic tablecloth on your dining table or the kitchen floor, grab some craft paper, and start making fun art creations. The best part is that this activity is affordable and washes off little hands with soap and water.
No-Bake Treat
Our son loves to help me with anything in the kitchen. Let’s leave those ovens off, mamas, with a simple no-bake treat like this one that’s easy for a toddler to help with. This recipe is dairy-free, and we took it a step further by replacing peanut butter with sun butter.
» » » » RELATED READ: 5 Summer Activities to Beat the Heat Without Wasting Water « « « «
Dishwater Play
No time to clean the dishes after a meal? No problem. Try involving your toddler in the process. I fill up a plastic tub with water and soap on one side of the sink while I am doing dishes on the other side. Our son pulls up his stool and cleans his dishes and other plastic ware. He has so much fun helping and also playing with the water/bubbles that are easily contained in the sink. I usually finish all of the dishes before he’s ready to be done with this fun activity.
Good Ol’ Fashioned Play Dough
Never underestimate the power of play dough. This classic activity is a household favorite. I love making all sorts of fun creations with my toddler. We use this activity to practice our shapes and colors. I’ve also found that our son loves to do this activity independently, so it gives me maybe 15-20 minutes to get something done around the house while he is playing. A win, win!
“Pool” Time
I don’t know about you, but the stretch from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. feels longer in the summer. It’s the hottest part of the day, and in our house, everyone just wants daddy to be home. To pass the time, we often have “pool” time (a.k.a. take an afternoon bath). Our kids love playing in the water, and it helps get a jump on our bedtime routine. We’ve even practiced our swim lesson routines while in the tub.
If you make it through all of these easy activities for your toddler, some other fun ideas include:
- Hide and Go Seek – Teach your toddler this classic game
- Make a Fort – Move your dining room chairs to the living room and get the floor swept/mopped while doing it
- Kinetic Sand – Make a mini indoor sandbox with Tupperware
- Sticker Stories – Create your own sticker story using stickers and construction paper
- Cardboard Box Play – Save those boxes from Costco and let imaginations take over
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
I like the dishwater play idea.
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