Ever wonder what you can do with all that Styrofoam that comes in new packages?

This activity takes zero set up! Golf tees, toy hammer, Styrofoam and GO!

My little one got to practice his hand motor coordination while having fun! This activity lasted 30 minutes. He eventually gave up the hammer and just loved poking holes. Fine with me! 

*I would say this activity is 3+ as golf tees are sharp and are small objects. ​

Have a "want to do everything mommy does" type of toddler? Well lets make a game/activity out of it! Bonus they get to learn great hand/eye coordination too!

Sweeping is actually a tricky thing! It actually takes practice to get dirt into the place you want it and as moms we don't really need dirt being swept around haphazardly haha. So for those little helpers, use painters tape to create a square, foam balls and a kids sized broom. Here's how the activity works...

​Throw the balls all around the kitchen (take a deep breath, this is fun for them and very easy to clean up. I also sweep before the activity too so he's not pushing around dirt). Give them a broom and tell them to get the balls in the square! Simple! Noah at one point dropped the broom and just used hands, and that's ok too! 

​You don't even need to have tiles and it doesn't even need to be a square. Create a face out of tape with a big mouth; make it imaginative and tell them "Floor Monster is hungry and needs to eat her eggs!" Or make a line out of tape and all the balls need to cross the finish line! Color the balls (another activity!) and then tell your little one which color to put in the square first (hide and seek and color identification!).

​As you can see, skies the limit with this simple concept, for many hours of fun! Add in the comments ideas you and your toddlers came up with! Have fun!

Find TAPE and FOAM BALLS on amazon.ca and a BROOM at Toys R Us (Although can find one on amazon too!)  

 You can't have dirt without diggers! One of our most go-to activities!

​Simple activity: Find a dirt/rock/sand pile, throw a digger, dump truck, shovel, etc and throw your toddler in the pile with clothes you don't mind getting dirty! ​We keep our "digger pants" that stay dirty in a bag for him to use each time. Otherwise, get dirty little one, explore your world, textures, create, play, imagine and practice your fine motor skills too!

We are very lucky to have space built for us under the stairs (with sun cover) and with chairs so I can sit (and read my book!). Noah can easily spend hours in this very spot! Bonus that I can see him from my kitchen window too! (He's old enough to know the rules  and to trust with the ledge, don't worry!)  I put some music on for him and he digs! Sometimes for two hours straight! Actually more often than not its at least an hour!

Here are some of Noah's favourite digger pit toys:

-Similar Cat vehicles can be found at Toys R Us HERE.
​-Shovel and Rake was a great second hand find but there are tons of kids shovels and toys found on amazon.ca.
​-A sandbox with cover that looks awesome found on amazon HERE

Kids love to get messy and you hate messes? This is the activity for you!

​Paper taped to the bathroom walls, a bit of tempera paint in containers, paint brush and GO! Takes about two minutes to set up. (I also clean out anything in the tub I don't want painted).

​Teaching bonus: Extra colour practice! I place the bowls out on the counter and ask Noah which colors he'd like in each bowl.

​Place the kiddo in the tub diaper only (or naked) and let them go for it! They WILL paint themselves and other surfaces and that's ok! They are in the tub!

​Extra Activity: Pull the art work off the wall (I tape it high up in my hallway out of reach to let dry, then recycle) and turn on the water with a slow trickle for extra fun! Now its a water activity! Use the paint brush and water to now paint all the surfaces that got painted beyond the paper (we know they'll all do it haha) and now they are "cleaning up" painting the paint off!

Clean up: I do an extra spray down with the retractable shower hose and then if were both up for it, I draw him a bath (another activity!). This right before nap time is perfect! Snuggle him all warm and usually get a great nap after! 

​Supplies:
​Click the picture for links for purchase (the bowls are dollar store but found something similar on Amazon for what I use).

It was a tantrum filled morning and I needed an activity QUICK! Momma had a lot to do today while baby naps so nothing like good ol' DOH to entertain the preschooler!

​Prepped in just 3 minutes, this DOH (yes I know, actually spelled dough) was a complete HIT! It started with a few days prior when I made home made pizza and I let Noah jump in and help to roll out the pizza dough... I instantly knew I had a hit activity!

OK, maybe I helped with imagination a bit...

​Wouldn't believe it, but he spent 5 hours with his DOH! Bonus, I put it into a container in the fridge and used it for a few days! Here's the recipe:

• 2 1/2 cups (350g) plain flour
• 2 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• 3/4-1 cup (170-225ml) water
  ​  

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl (flour, baking powder and salt). Add the oil and 3/4 cup (170ml) water then stir until it forms a ball.
2. If dough is stiff, add more water. It should be soft, but not sticky.
3. Knead on floured surface for 2 minutes.​

​Shop for these Play Dough Tools on Amazon.ca here.