Buying Time with Toddlers

Peanut is a fairly independent and happy kid, except when I am doing dishes.

He can be happy as a little lark playing toys, but once he hears that kitchen sink start up, he comes running and whining and tugs at my leg until I'm done. I've tried everything to keep him happy, from pots and pans to snacks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. But, I am learning that more and more I have to be creative when it comes to buying time to get something done.

I didn't want to go out and spend a lot of money buying a water table, sand table or toys. In fact, I have found that toys lose appeal with my boys rather quickly. So, I was thrilled when we went to the Delaware Children's Museum and discovered they were using basic cheap kitchen supplies to keep the toddlers' interest.

Once I got home, I tried a few similar things and Peanut has loved each one of them. I am proud to say that I was able to do dishes uninterrupted with one of these. (and I don't have a dishwasher, so dishes take a while)

The first one I like to call "Redneck Water Table"

Supplies Needed:

Large Plastic Bowls
Kitchen Utensils (measuring cups, small colanders, spoons... you get the picture)
Small floating toys (balls, boats, etc.)
Water
Ice

Obviously, this one is easy-peasy. You definitely want to do it outside, because transferring water and ice from bowl to bowl gets quite messy. This is great to help toddlers develop fine motor skills and encourages independent play. My little guy loves doing this every morning on our porch. I'm kind of glad I didn't go out and buy a water table. This is free and he loves it.

The second one I call "Ducky Oatmeal Bath." It's even messier than the first activity, so don't even attempt this one inside!

Supplies Needed:

Plastic Bowl
Sponge
Water 
Ice (if you want)
Rubber Ducky
Oatmeal
Small Measuring Cup

Peanut loves his bath time  *ahem* sink time. (We only have a shower) So, I decided to play off of that. I filled up his bowl with water and ice (he loves stirring the ice around the bowls) and put in the duck. Next, I gave him a small container of oatmeal and a measuring cup. He spooned the oatmeal in the water and stirred it around for a good while. Then he took the sponge and gave his ducky a "bath". He was happier than a monkey at a banana farm.

**Once this activity is over, make sure you clean up any hard surfaces that have oatmeal on them. You know how crusty and hard oatmeal is once it dries! This is a messy activity, but kept him entertained for forty-five minutes. And, yes, he did try a bite, but with no flavor, he didn't go back for seconds... ;)

The last and final activity I call "Nab That Noodle!" It is the least messy of the three. So, for moms who don't like messes, this one is quick and easy to clean up.  It's also the most challenging for toddlers, so they really concentrate and work on fine motor skills.

Supplies Needed:

Metal or Plastic Bowls (the museum used Rubbermaid bins)

Tongs (in multiple sizes if you have them)

Plastic Tweezers (optional)

Pasta Stirring Spoon (mine is black on the table behind Peanut)

Cooked Spaghetti Noodles

Food Coloring (optional)

Prepare the noodles according to the packages directions. Once they have cooled, place in a large bowl with the food coloring of your choice. (I let Peanut pick his color...blue) Stir a small amount of the coloring just enough to tint the noodles. Then sit them in the floor with a bowl of noodles and all sorts of utensils to transfer them to the other container. You may need to help and demonstrate the first couple of times. This is by far my little guy's favorite because he focuses so hard on grabbing the noodles! It's adorable!

Hope these are helpful to you guys! Try them out and let me know how your kids liked them! I love your feedback!