[starlife]

What activities do you recommend for toddlers and kids. Any after school activities or games you and your kids play - share it with other parents

[starlife]

I cannot believe that no one have any suggestions for activities for kids/Toddlers

[ShannonGB]

I would highly recommend blocks and Lego/Duplo Blocks (or whatever those are called. Though not a parent yet, my parents bought us those toys and I am forever thanking them for it. It is said that it improves spatial and visual intelligence. Just don't give toddlers the small lego blocks of course (choking hazard)... and put some classical music in the background while they are playing!

[starlife]

Thank You so much Shannon for your reply. I don't think blocks are good for a toddler though cause everything goes straight in their mouth, lol... but i know musical toys are great though. I have started to search online for games for them too... looking for some safe sites for them to play on.

[ShannonGB]

Oh these blocks are about 3 x 3 in, it won't pose as a choking hazard, also they are made out of light, hollow plastic as not to hurt a child in case it drops on him. But those were so ten years ago though, lol, I had these things when I was a child.

I saw this really adorable toy set (can't recall the site, sorry) that had cute stuffed animals which you can put inside soft, pastel colored boxes that had drawings of the animals outside...

For older kids, how about modelling clay and Etch A Sketch to develop the love for art? Are these toys still "in" with the kids today?

[starlife]

oh okay, i feel better knowing that the blocks are that size. Where can i get them.
I know what you mean, seems like all the older kids wants to play on wii, nintendo, play station and off course online games.... which are all good as long as they are educational.

[browneyes01]

if your kids like computers they have this really cool site called webkinz that my kids and their friends really love it is educational they have a chat room where the kids can go on and talk to other kids about the site and everyday kids stuff. along with that you get a pin number that you use to adopt a animal like a virtual pet that you feed and play games to earn money and build very interesting

[erinellakal]

My daughter is 3 and one of her favorite things to do is spray shave gel on the kitchen table and spread it all around. We draw shapes and pictures and words in it. Then to clean up I fill the kitchen sink with warm soapy water and let her splash around in there while i clean the shave gel off the table.

Another thing we do is put snow in the sink and she puts on her mittens and plays until its all melted.

You could look up recipes for home made play doh and home made silly putty online and make those things together.

Ella also loves moon sand and play doh, painting, glueing, stickers......anything arts and crafty!

[purelegance]

we bought DD a whole ton of megablox for christmas, they have them at walmart, target, toys r us, etc. she loves them

DD loves to color. I've just given in and take a notebook and a crayon with us wherever we go. (she's a year and a half) but her main thing is just to help me around the house. we can make our broom really short or really tall, so i keep it at the short length (when i'm not using it) so she can help me sweep. anything that has to do with putting things away, cleaning or feeding the dogs she loves.

[starlife]

erinellakal - I love the idea of the snow in the sink, I will definitely try that -- sounds like a lot of fun and kids are amused by the simplest thing

purelegance - Thanks for great suggestion, I find that musical and bright colored toys are a favorite in my home, I will definitely look at Wal-mart and Target for the blocks

browneyes01 - I have heard about that site - my niece loves it - in fact i bought her one for Christmas, I am going to look into it for my kids. Thanks for the great suggestion ladies, you all are the best