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5 ways to play for free with your baby or toddler - @thismamaplays

 

This blog post will give you 5 starting points or ‘Playspirations’ as I like to call them! Don’t worry if you don’t have everything that is listed in my playspirations just adapt it to whatever you and your child have to hand.

 

1. Water play - is a firm favourite in this house, from about 3 months old my two have enjoyed some form of water play outside of the bathtub. Chuck down a few towels and a shallow baking tray with water in and watch your child explore the water! If you have some plastic toys to hand throw them in too!
 

2. Pots and pans - a classic, add some spoons and let the music making commence. Ideal for whenever your child is able to sit! As well as making music why not add some dry pasta and start some home related role play. The earlier you start imaginary play the more practice your child will have and increasing the chance of encouraging independent play as your child grows older!

3. Mini washing line - tie a length of string between two chair legs, leave out some socks and pegs. Play based on every day skills is mega important in teaching our children responsibility and encouraging them to be team players in the home. This activity encourages fine motor skills but can be fairly tricky. So if you think your child may struggle with the pegs then swap the string for sellotape.

 

4. Pat Mats - ideal from birth and help to engage babies whilst having tummy time. Half fill a ziplock bag or plastic wallet with water and some small parts, rounds of tinfoil, buttons, pom poms, coins. Whatever you can get your hands on but would otherwise be out of reach for your child! Squeeze out the air, tape up and then tape to the floor. (Many more pat mat fillings on my Instagram @thismamaplays) Mess free sensory experience for your baby, play around with the temperature with the water add bubbles and see what your baby enjoys!

5. Sensory bottles - a great way to keep plastic bottles from entering the landfill. Simply fill up the bottle with water, food colouring and small items such as coins, buttons or sequins. Give the bottle a shake and let your child explore the rest. Sensory bottles can also be filled with things from your dry store cupboard such as rice or pasta which may otherwise cause a choking hazard. Lastly, why not collect some natural treasures? Great excuse to go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air! Sticks, stones, leaves and flowers make lovely sensory bottle fillers!

 

I hope this has given you some inspiration and hope that you don’t have to fill your house with a million and one toys just to get a minutes peace. Play is super important and allows your child to explore their environment. You don’t need to play all day just 5 minutes of your undivided attention should do the trick! Head to my Instagram @thismamaplays for more playspiration. I’m happy to answer any play related questions!


All the love, Kels x