photo credit: Steve & Jemma Copley

It’s raining and you’ve already gone through all of your Baby Einstein videos and are wondering what to do with your little bundle of energy next.  Seems here we have had weeks of rain lately!  Sometimes we just need some fresh ideas to fuel the creativity for what to do with our toddlers to avoid chaos in the house on a rainy day. You want something that isn’t too messy – but fun, right?

How about pulling out a small tub and fill it partway with a bag or two of beans or macaroni?  Then furnish your toddler with cups, containers, spoons, etc. and let them “make dinner” on the kitchen floor.  Kids love the feel and sound of beans or noodles and they love to transfer things from cup to cup.  It’s easy to sweep up, too.

Have you ever made peanut butter play dough?  Mix together equal parts of peanut butter, dried milk powder and honey.  It’s easy and kids can make shapes with it and then you don’t have to worry about whether they eat it or not.

You can also make some HomeMade PlayDough.  This is not only fun to play with but, the kids will love creating it!

Why not make a fun snack with veggies and cream cheese?  Make carrots into coins, olives into eyes and smiley faces, and raisins for all sorts of things.  Use a slice of bread as the background spread with cream cheese.   Then let them make designs on the bread.  Save it for snack later, if they’ll let you.

A rainy day is a great time to cuddle and read, too – but if your toddler is really full of energy, why not read and act out the story together?  By the time you are done, you’ll both be ready for a nap but that’s okay, too!

It’s Click and Comment Monday-but I seem to be still having trouble with the Mr. Linky widget.  So instead put your links in the comments and you can link from your blog to the post  here.

Summertime Activities for Toddlers