It’s a tricky age bracket, 12 to 18 months. Baby toys are no longer interesting, and yet the toys that do appeal are too dangerous, or too difficult, or both. It’s also during this period that many children start becoming interested in the everyday chores their parents do: sweeping, cleaning, chopping. The desire to copy and get involved is very, very strong. In addition, skills like the pincer grip and hand-eye coordination are really starting to improve.
When looking for ways to keep our then 18-month-old toddler busy and entertained, I often had a wander around Montessori-inspired blogs (my favourite one being Sixtine et Victoire). I like the Montessori principle of ‘following the child’s lead’ - you present them with activities that tap into the interests they show rather than what they ‘should’ be doing at their age. For example, to the Bean at that age blocks were still very much for knocking down when someone else had stacked them, even though you will see a lot of stacking toys targeted at 12 to 18-month-olds. This is isn’t a problem - he was just more interested in other skills, such as scooping and sorting.
When looking for ways to keep our then 18-month-old toddler busy and entertained, I often had a wander around Montessori-inspired blogs (my favourite one being Sixtine et Victoire). I like the Montessori principle of ‘following the child’s lead’ - you present them with activities that tap into the interests they show rather than what they ‘should’ be doing at their age. For example, to the Bean at that age blocks were still very much for knocking down when someone else had stacked them, even though you will see a lot of stacking toys targeted at 12 to 18-month-olds. This is isn’t a problem - he was just more interested in other skills, such as scooping and sorting.
Another thing I like about the Montessori method is to look for activities that help the child practice useful life skills. Many of the activities below require concentration, and some, like the activity with the spoon or the cloth, involve skills he needs to use at the dinner table. And then there are the blatant “I’m turning my child into a house elf” activities, like sweeping and peeling. He's still like this at 28 months and hey, it’s what he wants to do so who am I to say no?
So here goes, if you're in need of inspiration:
So here goes, if you're in need of inspiration:
Eight Cheap and (almost) No-Prep Toddler Activities
1. Sorting (version 1)
Set up a simple sorting activity using a large ice-cube tray and coloured blocks (the ones in the picture are from a Hape toy that remained too difficult for him until he was about two. But rather than put it away I decided to re-think it a bit!).
Set up a simple sorting activity using a large ice-cube tray and coloured blocks (the ones in the picture are from a Hape toy that remained too difficult for him until he was about two. But rather than put it away I decided to re-think it a bit!).
2. Sorting (version 2)
This sorting activity uses scrabble tiles, which are fiddly and therefore harder to pick up than the blocks in Sorting V1. My toddler also thought it was very funny to hear me sound out all the letters. The box, which is meant to be used for storing nails, was filched from Mr P&P's tool kit.
NOTE: the scrabble tiles are a CHOKING HAZARD. Watch that toddler like a HAWK.
This sorting activity uses scrabble tiles, which are fiddly and therefore harder to pick up than the blocks in Sorting V1. My toddler also thought it was very funny to hear me sound out all the letters. The box, which is meant to be used for storing nails, was filched from Mr P&P's tool kit.
NOTE: the scrabble tiles are a CHOKING HAZARD. Watch that toddler like a HAWK.
3. Sweeping
Give toddler a broom = happy toddler
Obsessed toddler, in fact, as mine has insisted on sweeping bits of floor EVERY DAY since he was 12 months. The broom is the real deal and cost about €3 from our local market. Any small hand-held broom or brush will do.
Give toddler a broom = happy toddler
Obsessed toddler, in fact, as mine has insisted on sweeping bits of floor EVERY DAY since he was 12 months. The broom is the real deal and cost about €3 from our local market. Any small hand-held broom or brush will do.
4. Scooping
Very keen to practice his scooping skills, this activity using nothing but a spoon and a watering can (which you could of course substitute for a bowl or mug) went down very well with our toddler. As he was outside on the balcony, I didn't need to stop him throwing the water on the floor either...
Very keen to practice his scooping skills, this activity using nothing but a spoon and a watering can (which you could of course substitute for a bowl or mug) went down very well with our toddler. As he was outside on the balcony, I didn't need to stop him throwing the water on the floor either...
5. Wiping
Much like with the broom obsession, give a toddler a damp cloth and they will happily wipe away for a while. What I personally also like about this activity is that it helps pave the way to independence - spills are much less of a big deal if you know how to wipe them up yourself.
Much like with the broom obsession, give a toddler a damp cloth and they will happily wipe away for a while. What I personally also like about this activity is that it helps pave the way to independence - spills are much less of a big deal if you know how to wipe them up yourself.
6. Peeling & Cutting
The kitchen has long been a place of endless fascination for the Bean, and at 17 months he was just about old enough to start helping with things like peeling and cutting under very strict supervision. If that gives you the heebiejeebies, you could let them help you wash vegetables and fruit instead.
The kitchen has long been a place of endless fascination for the Bean, and at 17 months he was just about old enough to start helping with things like peeling and cutting under very strict supervision. If that gives you the heebiejeebies, you could let them help you wash vegetables and fruit instead.
7. Sensory play - water
There’s nothing better on a hot day than a washing-up bowl with water and a plastic cup for scooping. You can easily make it more interesting by putting some stones in the bowl, or by piercing holes in the bottom of the cup so your toddler can make it "rain".
There’s nothing better on a hot day than a washing-up bowl with water and a plastic cup for scooping. You can easily make it more interesting by putting some stones in the bowl, or by piercing holes in the bottom of the cup so your toddler can make it "rain".
8. Sensory play - lotion
Best done after a bath, so they can learn to put lotion on themselves when they need to! Any mess on the floor takes seconds to wipe up with a damp cloth.
NOTE: don’t let your child try to stand up in any spilled lotion…
Best done after a bath, so they can learn to put lotion on themselves when they need to! Any mess on the floor takes seconds to wipe up with a damp cloth.
NOTE: don’t let your child try to stand up in any spilled lotion…
So there you have them, 8 Montessori-inspired toddler activities that need very little in terms of preparation or materials! Now tell me, does you little one go mad for sweeping or sorting? What activities do you think should be added to the list?
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