In our modern world, it can be tempting to use screens to entertain our toddlers. But, there are some easy ways to keep them entertained without screens. Here, we will guide you through ten toddler activities that will keep your toddler off screens.
When we have young children, it is extremely tiring. They need to have their needs met and they need to be entertained, they need to learn and you need to keep them happy and healthy.
When we are tired, the temptation to pop on the TV or to hand them a tablet can be very strong. And hey, it is not always a bad thing! We all need a break and your toddler watching some Peppa Pig or playing a game on a tablet for little each day is not going to hurt them.
But, it is important that they spend some time away from screens, engaging with the real world, having fun and being active.
Within this article, we will guide you through our top ten toddler activities for keeping your toddler off screens.
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Make Musical Instruments
It can be really easy to make some fun musical instruments for your toddler to play with. You can make shakers using an old plastic bottle, filled with beads or rice. You can use buckets, pans and wooden spoons for the percussive instruments.
You can also get toy xylophones, keyboards or tambourines in toy stores for relatively cheap.
Your toddler will have a great deal of fun making music with you and/or their siblings or friends. Just make sure you are ready for some noise!
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Build A Fort
Building a fort is a classic, screenless activity and you cannot go wrong with a classic. All they will need is some blankets, pillows and a little help from you to turn these into a cosy, fun fort.
If you want to go all out, and have the space, you could build a fort using old cardboard boxes. Not only will they have fun in their fort but it will be fun to knock down too.
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Have A Dance Party
This is a really easy activity to do with your toddler. Move your furniture to give some space for a dance floor, pop on some music and just dance!
If your toddler is shy, show them your best dance moves and that you are having fun. Children learn and develop by copying the adults around them so if they see that you are having fun whilst you dance, they will be more likely to join in.
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Play Parachute With A Sheet
This fun little activity is even easy. All you need is a bed sheet and some space. You and your toddler should hold the edge of the sheet and then simply throw it up, whilst still holding on to the edges, allowing the middle to balloon up and then let it float back down.
If you have a couple of adults to hold the sheet, your toddler could run underneath it or try to sit down underneath it.
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Play With Puzzles
Another classic toddler activity is to get some puzzles out. These could be wooden puzzles where your toddler has to put the right shape in the right hole. It could be toddler-friendly jigsaw puzzles.
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Draw Or Paint
Drawing or painting are great ways to keep your toddler entertained whilst keeping them off screens. Using paints, crayons and felt tips, let your toddler have fun and imagination run wild.
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Put On A Performance
This is a good activity to get the whole family involved. Set up a small spot that can be your stage and have everyone put on a performance. It could be reciting a nursery rhyme or doing some dancing.
This is all just about having fun, keeping your toddler active and engaged without the use of a screen.
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Make A Balloon Room
In a small room in your house, move all the furniture to the side and fill the room with balloons. You are creating a makeshift ball pit but with balloons instead of balls. You kids can run around the room, batting and playing with the balloons.
This is another one that could get noisy if/when the balloons pop so you may want to get ear defenders for any toddlers who are highly sensitive to noise.
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Get Outside And Play
One of the biggest antidotes to screens is to get your toddler outside playing. You can take your kids to a park so they can play on the swings and slides but even just having a run around the garden or going on a walk in nature will be so good for them.
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Take Them To A Sport Class
A great way to keep your toddler off screens, active and having fun is to take them to a sports class. They will learn new skills, feel accomplished, meet and make new friends and they will have a lot of fun.
There are many different sports classes that are good for toddlers such as gymnastics, swimming and football.
Take your toddler to a taster session and, if they enjoy themselves, consider making this a weekly activity.
10 Toddler Activities To Keep Your Toddler Off Screens
Screens are a very normal part of our day to day life but it is still a good idea for us all to come away from them for periods of the day. There are many fun ways to keep a toddler happy and entertained without screens. From making musical instruments with them to having a dance party or attending a sports class.
We hope you have found this article helpful.
If you would like to try your toddler at one of our football taster sessions, please click here to find your local class.