Sometimes I really wonder how to keep my little boy busy without giving him digital screens. 😅 Being a mom of a toddler is not easy, ne? We all know how it feels. One minute he is playing happily, and the next minute he is standing near me hugging my leg while I cook, asking for my attention!
So, here are five little things I try with my boy at home. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive at all. Just simple things we can do together. 🤎
1. Let him explore books 📚
I started giving picture books to our boy when he was very little, so now picture books are almost everywhere in our home! Haha. 🤎
So, I keep some books where he can easily reach them. Sometimes he looks at the pictures, sometimes he turns the pages upside down, and sometimes he brings the same book to me ten times! Haha. That’s okay, right?
We read a little whenever we can. And when he gets fascinated with one particular book, he can stay with that same book for quite a considerable time. So, during those little moments, I can definitely clean my kitchen countertop or wash the dishes. A little reading time for him and a little time to finish my household chores for me. Win-win, ne? 😅📚
2. Give him little household jobs 🧺
Toddlers love doing what we do, he loves to be in the kitchen too. When I fold clothes, he wants to help. When I tidy up, he wants to take things out again! I let him put away a few safe things or give me his little clothes. It takes longer to finish my work, but he enjoys it.
3. Let him play with simple things 🍃
We don’t always need to buy new toys. Some large blocks, stacking cups, soft toys or a few safe household items can keep him interested. Sometimes the simplest things are his favorites! In fact expensive toys are not the solution all the time they need something that arouse their curiosity all the time.
4. 4. Let him put things in and take them out 🧺
My little boy loves putting things inside containers and taking them out again. Haha! Sometimes I give him a few large, safe toys and an unbreakable container, and let him put everything inside and take them out one by one. It looks like such a simple thing, but he can spend quite some time doing it! Just make sure there are no small objects that he could swallow, and keep an eye on him while he plays.
5. Go outside for a little walk 🌿
If the weather is nice, we go outside for a walk. He loves looking at the trees, watching people, and noticing little things along the way. We don’t need a big outing every time. In fact even a short walk can become a lovely little adventure. I always love to be with his outside at there he becomes a free bird and a little explorer. Read here.
And honestly, there are some days none of these things work. He just wants to stay close to me while I do everything. ❤️ I am learning that keeping a toddler busy doesn’t mean keeping him entertained every single minute.
Tell me, mama, what do you usually do to keep your little ones busy at home? I’d love to learn some new ideas from you, too. 🤎
