Whether you’re stuck indoors together on a rainy day or looking for ways to enjoy the summer sun as a family, you can provide your toddler with hours of entertaining activities that sneak in some learning, too. Before you know it, you’ll have a scrapbook full of memories, a toddler flourishing with new skills and knowledge and a happy, well-bonded family — and enough paint on the walls and floors to use up a year’s supply of elbow grease. Here are the ways to get your family involved in these dynamic two-year-old activities.
From cooking together to crafting: Family activities for toddler
Enjoying the sun: Summer activities for kids
Help your toddler explore the world around her with adventures around the neighborhood, and family trips to educational and entertaining venues such as children’s museums, and crop and animal farms. Even a family bike ride around the neighborhood provides you with plenty of opportunities for exploration.
“Fresh air is great for [my son]. He will take a great nap afterwards and he laughs when we ring the bells and when we out point trees, birds, and dogs,” Jessica said about the bike rides she takes with her husband and son.
Butterfly farms
Spring is butterfly season. Grab the wondrous book The Hungry Caterpillar to familiarize your child with a butterfly’s metamorphosis, and then find a local butterfly farm to see the process in action.
Fruit picking at a local farm
Get the family out of the house and set out to explore farm life by visiting a local farm to learn about the fruit orchards. Have them pick their own fruits and who knows — your toddler might even try a fruit that she has always avoided.
Farmer’s Market
Find out where and when your neightborhood’s farmer’s market occurs, and align your family’s schedules. Pick up fresh produce, and unique clothing and artifact finds.
Outdoor picnic
On a warm summer late afternoon, an impromptu picnic can help settle your little one before he sleeps. Jessica shared how she takes advantage of the moment to have what she calls “lazy picnic dinners.” “We get foods [our son] can eat for dinner that are not messy — like a charcuterie board with cheese, edamame, and blueberries.”
Children’s museums
Sometimes the summers are just too hot and in the middle of the day, the last place that you want your toddler to be is outside. So, take your little tyke and the rest of your family to a nearby children’s museum where the coolness of the building will help ease the temperaments of your little one.
