A friend recently shared that she’s in a “parenting rut.” I’m proud of her for acknowledging a sentiment shared by many stay-at-home parents. It’s easy to get lost in the daily tasks of toddlerhood and even feel bored. These moments don’t take away your love for your child or the joy you derive from spending time together. On those “rut” days, tap into your creativity. Here are some ideas:
Sensory Play: Create a bin filled with beans, rice, or feathers for them to explore. Fill up different-sized bins with water and let your little one our water back and forth. No need for a water table for water play.
Creative Storytime: Set up a cozy reading corner with pillows and blankets, or transform a cardboard box into a cozy fort for a storytime adventure. Involve your toddler by asking them to choose characters or objects and contribute to the story.
Toddler Yoga: Get your little ones a toddler yoga mat and tune into some Cosmic Kids Yoga
Animal Safari: Set up all your child’s animals through the house and go on a safari. Teach your child about different animals and their habitats.
DIY Building Blocks: Use empty cardboard boxes and containers to create building blocks. Your toddler can stack and knock them down.
Kitchen Creations: Toddlers love to explore new things, and the kitchen is a great place for this play. Involve your little one in making cookies, popsicles, or pancakes. They love to stir, mix, and decorate.
Nature: Have a gardening day with your little one. Or, if you don’t have a backyard, explore your community, go for walks, and count all the trees with your toddler, go on a picnic, or create an animal scavenger hunt.
Arts & Craft Time: Color, paint, use playdough, fabric, beads, cutouts and let your kid explore and create.
Color Sorting: Use colored toys, building blocks, or buttons for a color sorting activity. Encourage your toddler to match objects by colors.
Indoor Obstacle Course: Set up a simple obstacle course using cushions, pillows, and furniture.
Also, check out community resources like libraries, music and art classes, and local parent-child groups. Try not to feel pressure to schedule an activity every day or spend every minute with your toddler. Independent play is important for both of you.