The Everything Toddler Activities Book (28 page)

Show the children how to weave the different materials through the fence holes. The weaving technique does not have to be perfect or uniform. In fact, it will look better when children add materials in their own way.

Do this activity during a transition time in the party when children are arriving or leaving.
Your child will be left with a special keepsake of the day.

1. Fold poster board in half and write “Happy Birthday” on the front. Attach a large bow on the top corner.
   
2. Set the card up in a location that is easy for the guests to reach. Supply them with crayons and markers for them to “sign” and decorate a message for the birthday child.
   

The nice thing about this activity is that the guests get to take puzzle pieces home with them.
You may want to provide smocks, as this can be a messy activity.

1. Hang a large sheet of butcher paper in a place where all the children can easily reach. Outdoors is best.
   
2. Give the children pans of tempera paint and large brushes. Encourage them to work together to paint a large mural.
   
3. You want children to work together, but you can also mark sections of the mural off with a pencil if necessary.
   
4. When the children are done, let the painting dry.
   
5. Cut the paper into equal sections. Give one to each child.
   
6. Distribute the sections and then challenge the children to put the mural puzzle back together again.
   

Here are more all-purpose party games. You will find that they are appropriate for a wide range of ages and abilities. They require few materials and little planning for those times when you need a little something extra to pass the time.

This fun game is similar to Hot Potato, but because it is noncompetitive, no one is eliminated.

1. Have players sit cross-legged in a circle on the floor. Give the children the beanbag or ball and show them how to pass it around the circle.
   
2. While the children are passing the beanbag, teach them the song, sung to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”:
   

   Pass the beanbag ‘round the ring
   Pass the beanbag while we sing.
   Pass the beanbag to your friend
   In a circle without end.
   Pass the beanbag ‘round the ring
   Pass the beanbag while we sing.
   

3. Once started, give directions on how to pass the beanbag (low, high, fast, or slow).
   

As with many other activities in this chapter, you can adapt this game to meet the theme of your party.

1. Divide the guests into two groups. One group is the lions; the other group is the safari photographers.
   
2. Instruct the lions to lie down and pretend to be sleeping.
   
3. The photographers are to sneak up as close as they can to take a picture without waking the lions.
   
4. When the lions awaken, they are to roar and scare away the other group.
   
5. Make sure that all children get a turn to be in both groups.
   

Although relay races may be too complex for young children, they will enjoy this simplified version.

1. Divide the guests into two teams. Designate a starting and a finish line for the race.
   
2. On your signal, teams are to race to the finish line. The one rule is that all members must stay connected. You can have them run different heats with variations. They can form a train, hold hands, or make a giant hug circle. See what other ideas they can dream up.
   

Here is a simplified version of Simon Says. In this adaptation, the leader is not trying to “trick” anyone.

1. Start the game with an adult as the leader to show the children how it is played. Then each child can take a turn being the leader.
   
2. The leader picks out a character to imitate and calls out the directions using that persona (“Barney says” or “the Easter Bunny says”).
   
3. The leader tells the group what to do (jump, spin, or touch their noses).
   

As any party host knows, half the fun of having a party is in the anticipation and planning. Don’t be afraid to involve your child and to let her make some small choices and decisions about her special day. Encourage her to participate in the preparation.

Here is a creative way to involve your toddler in the party preparations.

1. For each napkin holder, cut a piece of wrapping paper or tissue paper to fit around the tube.
   
2. Help your toddler glue the paper onto the outside of the tube.
   
3. Let her attach decorative stickers on each tube.
   
4. Write the guest’s name on the address label and affix it to the tube.
   
5. Roll and insert a colorful napkin.
   

Your child will enjoy creating this festive and decorative centerpiece craft.

1. Help your child roll the construction paper sheets to cover the outside of the coffee can. Let her glue the paper on.
   
2. Trim off any extra paper.
   
3. Let your child rip the tissue paper into tiny squares.
   
4. Show your child how to crumple up each square to create a tiny ball or blossom.
   
5. Pour a small amount of glue into the pie tin. Have your child dip each tissue wad into the glue and stick it onto the can.
   
6. When your child is done decorating the can in this fashion, let it dry.
   
7. Use the container to hold flowers or balloons.
   

What better party favor than a reminder of all the fun times!

1. For each frame, cut a square of poster board 2 larger than the diameter of the picture you will be using.
   
2. Cut out a square from the center of the poster board, leaving a 1½ frame.
   
3. Use the marker to write a title on the top of the frame, such as “Tony’s 2nd Birthday Party.”
   
4. Let each child decorate her own frame with the confetti and glitter.
   
5. Take the pictures while the frames are drying. If you cannot make reproductions of one picture, go ahead and snap similar poses for each picture—they don’t have to be identical. Pose the children in a group. Don’t push for perfect smiles. Let them be a little silly and capture the true fun they are having.
   
6. Attach a photo behind each frame with a small dab of glue or rubber cement.
   

APPENDIX A

Recipes for Activity Materials

This is a great way for your child to add some texture to her art work.

Makes 1½ cups

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

¼ cup water

4 tablespoons poster or tempera paint

Mix all of the ingredients together.

Save some money. For another cost-cutting idea, you can use freezer wrap instead of expensive finger-paint paper.

Makes 3 cups

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

3 cups flour

2 tablespoons liquid soap

¾ cup water

Food coloring

Mix all the ingredients together. Use a spoon to put a blob of it on the paper for your child.

Easy to apply, easy to wash off. Now your child can be a clown for the day!

Variable Yield

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 part cornstarch

½ part water

½ part cold cream

Food coloring

Mix all the ingredients together and apply with cotton swabs.

Add a new dimension to your child’s painting. When this paint dries, it sparkles.

Makes ½ cup

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

¼ cup liquid starch

¼ cup water

2 tablespoons tempera paint

Mix all the ingredients together.

In addition to a great sensory experience, finger painting helps your child develop fine motor skills.

Makes ½ cup

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

2 cups cold water

3 teaspoons sugar

½ cup cornstarch

Food coloring

Add the water to the first two ingredients and cook over a low heat.

Stir constantly until the mixture is blended together.

Remover from the heat and add food coloring as desired.

With ingredients that you could have in your kitchen pantry, you can create an interesting paint that is shiny when it dries.

Variable Yield

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

Food coloring

Light corn syrup or condensed milk

Simply add a few drops of food coloring to light corn syrup or condensed milk. The paint will be sticky but will dry with a nice glossy effect.

Try this recipe when you run out of tempera paint or you just want to try something different.

Variable Yield

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 part vinegar

1 part cornstarch

Food coloring

Put all ingredients into a jar. Close the lid and shake until the ingredients are well mixed.

Try this paint for a variation with texture.

Makes 1½ cups

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 cup powdered tempera paint

2 tablespoons wallpaper paste

½ cup liquid laundry starch

Mix the paint and paste together. Add in the starch gradually until you reach desired consistency.

You can use bottle caps or empty egg cartons for paint tins.

Variable Yield

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon corn flour

½ teaspoon glycerin

2 drops food coloring

1 teaspoon water

Mix the vinegar and baking soda together. Stir until it stops fizzing.

Add the remaining ingredients. Pour into molds and let harden.

Here is an easy paint recipe to try.

Variable Yield

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 part liquid dish soap

1 part powdered tempera paint

Mix the ingredients together.

You can use this for regular or finger painting.

Variable Yield

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 part nonmenthol shaving cream

1 part white craft glue

Food coloring

Mix ingredients together.

So easy you can let your child help make it!

Makes 2 cups

Age group: 18–40 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

1 cup salt

1 cup flour

½ cup water

Food coloring

Mix all ingredients together to proper consistency. Add in a few drops of food coloring. Store in airtight containers.