Toddlers are naturally creative and imaginative. By engaging in activities that allow them to be as free and creative as possible while exposing them to new and interesting things will not only be a fun way to spend time with toddlers and preschoolers but also nurture and boost their inherent creativity.
Day Trips to Museums and Art Galleries can be Fun Toddler Activities
Museums and art galleries needn’t be off-limits for toddlers and preschoolers. Turn it into a fun trip by pointing out interesting colors, objects and features to your toddler. Ensure that there are plenty of snacks and drinks to combat hunger pangs and don’t push a toddler to “enjoy” the paintings or artifacts that way you would.
Using Role Play to Boost Creativity
Toddlers love playing ‘mommy’, ‘daddy’, ‘chef’, ‘teacher’ or other roles that they’re familiar with. This role playing activity can be a great way to develop and nurture creativity and imagination. However, this is one activity that would be more fun if parents watch from the sidelines rather than hovering around. Watch the little chef in action as she makes tea and cakes for all her dolls or the little doctor as he examines the belly of a dinosaur. One could maybe ask questions later on or ask to be invited later but for the most part, let a toddler act out his imagination as he thinks best. Check out some really cute kitchen sets for toddlers at Amazon.
Story Telling is a Fun Toddler Activity that Develops Imagination
Story telling is a great way to bond with a toddler, encourage a love for books and reading and also, develop the imagination. While reading from books is great, one can even tell stories using familiar characters, animals or even your toddler’s toys and just make them up as you go along. Better still, alternate between having your toddler tell a story and you telling one at bedtimes or naptimes. However, as with most toddler activities, don’t push too much. If your toddler isn’t happy telling stories, let it be.
Painting and Coloring are Simple and Effective Ways of Boosting Creativity
One of the easiest ways to nurture creativity is to let your toddler paint, color, scribble and draw to his heart’s content. Buy sheets of blank paper and let the little artist loose on them with paints and crayons. Make painting fun and interesting by using thick brushes, string, old toothbrushes, sponges and even, root veggies like carrots and potatoes. Encourage toddlers and preschoolers to draw and color their own pictures rather than buying pre-printed coloring books or sheets. However, the latter can be used if your toddler wouldn’t get frustrated by not being able to color within the lines or if he doesn’t really enjoy drawing and gets bored with scribbling around.
Nurturing creativity and imagination in toddlers is not difficult. A box of crayons, a doll’s tea set, a simple story and a trip to the museum are just some of the fun ways of boosting toddler creativity. And if you’re looking for more ideas, here are some more fun toddler activities to keep preschoolers busy and occupied during the hot summer days.
Photo Credit: Elizabeth/Table4Five
