If you’ve got little ones at home and feel like you’ve exhausted your list of things to do with them, try these fun activities that include inside and outdoor options. Each grouping targets important development areas.
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
These activities you can do inside or outdoors. If you have a backyard patio with tables and chairs, head outdoors to take in the fresh air during activity time.
PLAY-DOH FUN
Mold and roll Play-Doh into a ball, using the palms of the hands facing each other with fingers slightly curled toward the palms.
CUTTING
Let your child use safety scissors to cut shapes out of construction paper or to cut pictures out of old magazines.
SORTING
Use a cupcake pan to sort and count objects. Fill each cupcake tin with various items like cotton balls, buttons, magnetic letters, dry beans, etc.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Indoor projects that engage language along with giving your child a sense of pride in helping out around the house.
LAUNDRY
Identify and talk about colors, count items or sort by type of clothing and colors. When you sort, encourage your child to learn about classification, colors and numbers. If you pick up a white sock, ask, “Where does this go?” and “Who does this belong to?”
TABLE SETTING
Set the table together and facilitate conversations like, “How many utensils do we need?” or “If we have soup, what utensil do we use?” This exchange builds connection, supports vocabulary and cultivates confidence.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
HAND-EYE COORDINATION
Throw bean bags or rubber sensory balls into a hula-hoop placed flat on the floor. Gradually increase the distance between your child and the hoop.
Practice hitting inflatable bowling pins with a ball. You can purchase this game on Amazon or make your own with empty soda bottles and a small ball.
WIGGLE, WIGGLE
Wiggle activities are sensory based that increase large muscle endurance, and they strengthen your child’s awareness of his hands. Activities include wheelbarrow walking, crab walking, clapping games and dancing.
Source: child360.org/families
