Leo is a pretty independent player. I think a lot has to do with his personality but I also think that I try and have quite a few little activity stations at home for him to rotate through. I am thankful to have quite a few mommy friends and a few of them are ex teachers. They are the best kind of mom friends cause they constantly give me ideas on how to entertain my child. Activities are the key to keeping your kid busy at home. Here are 5 activities that are our jam right now.
1. Rice
Ok so this rice bin is LIFE! My mom used to do this for my brother's kids and they loved it. Leo is finally old enough to be able to play in it. So I added a bunch of cups, dollar store bugs, cars, and figurines. I throw down a big blanket cause rice does get on the floor. This is also when the little vacuum comes in handy!
Ok so this rice bin is LIFE! My mom used to do this for my brother's kids and they loved it. Leo is finally old enough to be able to play in it. So I added a bunch of cups, dollar store bugs, cars, and figurines. I throw down a big blanket cause rice does get on the floor. This is also when the little vacuum comes in handy!
2. Painting
Leo loves to color and we leave the color crayons and coloring books out for him everyday. But we only get the paint out for special occasions. He knows he has to sit at his table or paint outside. I also got some oversized paper for him to paint on. It is much easier to use than computer paper and it seems to contain the mess better. We also use painting as a great time to talk about all the colors.
Leo loves to color and we leave the color crayons and coloring books out for him everyday. But we only get the paint out for special occasions. He knows he has to sit at his table or paint outside. I also got some oversized paper for him to paint on. It is much easier to use than computer paper and it seems to contain the mess better. We also use painting as a great time to talk about all the colors.
3. Sorting
I was thinking Leo was too young to sort but I noticed him doing it with his cars and color crayons. So I got a game we could use to sort with. This little paw patrol game is the perfect tool for teaching them to sort and he can play with it by himself.
I was thinking Leo was too young to sort but I noticed him doing it with his cars and color crayons. So I got a game we could use to sort with. This little paw patrol game is the perfect tool for teaching them to sort and he can play with it by himself.
4. Washing Station
Leo was a huge fan of the water table this summer. I was over at a girlfriend house and she told me about making an indoor washing station. I throw out a blanket, fill up a tupperware with soapy water and let Leo washing his animals, cars, or other plastic toys. He loves scrubbing them and pouring water over them. He will play with this for at least 30 minutes unsupervised. Some water does get spilled but that is what a blanket is for. Plus it gets our toys extra clean!
Leo was a huge fan of the water table this summer. I was over at a girlfriend house and she told me about making an indoor washing station. I throw out a blanket, fill up a tupperware with soapy water and let Leo washing his animals, cars, or other plastic toys. He loves scrubbing them and pouring water over them. He will play with this for at least 30 minutes unsupervised. Some water does get spilled but that is what a blanket is for. Plus it gets our toys extra clean!
5. Fine Motor Skills
We have been working on Leo's fine motor skills and this is one of his favorite activities. As you can see we do this in the morning while I'm cleaning up breakfast. He takes so much pride in being able to get all the Q-Tips into the parmesan container. I love watching him develop these essential skills and I also love watching him take pride in little victories!
We have been working on Leo's fine motor skills and this is one of his favorite activities. As you can see we do this in the morning while I'm cleaning up breakfast. He takes so much pride in being able to get all the Q-Tips into the parmesan container. I love watching him develop these essential skills and I also love watching him take pride in little victories!
As a mama I'm always looking to find new activities for Leo and also new ways to teach him. Leo is a little sponge and loves to read and learn. But sometimes I can sit down and play with him. I have things to do around the house so these little activities make me feel like he's learning all while I am getting chores done. If you have any activities that are musts do please let me know. I am ALL ears!
I hope you guys survived halloween. Leo LOVED trick or treating. He went with his cousin who was the perfect example and Leo loved following him around. I was really surprised how into the trick or treating he was, I was thinking he'd be too little this year but that wasn't the case. Leo and Peter would run as fast as he could to the next house smiling and laughing as we about blew away in the wind. It was pretty comical and the perfect night for Baby Nacho Libre!
I hope you guys survived halloween. Leo LOVED trick or treating. He went with his cousin who was the perfect example and Leo loved following him around. I was really surprised how into the trick or treating he was, I was thinking he'd be too little this year but that wasn't the case. Leo and Peter would run as fast as he could to the next house smiling and laughing as we about blew away in the wind. It was pretty comical and the perfect night for Baby Nacho Libre!
Cheers,
Jess
Jess