Right now, in quarantine, the most pressing question is how to keep a little fidget busy so that you get at least a bit of time for yourself. And with a three-year-old this question can turn into a real trial. Most psychologists and doctors advise against children spending more than an hour in front of a screen, so what else can you find for a small child to do?
I have put together activities that may look boring to us grown-ups, but that will hold your child's attention for at least half an hour! And the really curious ones will be able to keep at them all day long! It is all so unusual and exciting for them! So, here we go!
How to keep a three-year-old busy?
- Finger-painting with water on cardboard! Yes, plain water on plain cardboard from any box. The upside: you do not have to worry about paint migrating all over the floor and the furniture.
- With face paint we turn into any character we like — kittens, butterflies, princesses!
- Cutting up old magazines with safety scissors. Oh, what a fascinating occupation that is, and it can easily turn into simply tearing those magazines up while studying the pictures along the way.
- Melting ice with warm water. This one is of course best done in the kitchen or in the bathroom, because it will definitely hold the child's attention and you will need a lot of water. So stock up on ice in the freezer and off we go, melting icebergs!
- Painting on an absorbent nappy liner. Odd as it sounds, this is great fun, and interesting and safe too. For paint you can use coloured water, and ordinary pipettes instead of brushes.
- Playing restaurant, and this one can be done while mum is cooking. Give the little one a saucepan and let them cook alongside you.
- Stretch cling film between two objects, or fix it with tape over a deep dish, and poke it with your fingers. Then watch how it stretches and finally tears, gently.
- Fill the sink with water and give them balls or moulds. Pour water from one to another, blow on them, watch the bubbles.
- Throw a little dance party to your favourite music. And yes, do not forget to hand the little one a microphone!
- Build a fortress out of whatever is to hand. Cushions, throws, blankets, tables or chairs all go into it. Anything your imagination runs to. By the way, this activity and the use of the little house can keep a child busy for a very long time.
- Teach the little one to play rock, paper, scissors. And be ready to play along with them.
- For girls — mum's shoes. We try on mum's shoes and walk round the house in them. For boys — dad's ties, or any of dad's clothes.
- Tape a sheet of paper under the table or under a chair and let the little one draw there. An upside-down game.
- Curl up on the floor looking at the ceiling, pretending you can see clouds in the shape of different animals.
- Play hide and seek! And take as long as you possibly can to find the little one!
- Smear plastic toys with shaving foam and ask the child to clean them.
- Take a magnifying glass (pretend, real or homemade) and go hunting for small toys, bits of fluff or buttons.
- Play with balloons.
- Have a snack on the floor, picnic style. Afterwards, if you have plastic food, you can suggest the little one feeds their toys at the picnic.
- Build a tower using toilet paper and tissue boxes. Judging by the latest news on the internet, everyone now has a good supply of building material.
- Use a tape measure to measure parts of your body, such as arms and legs. After that, I promise you, the little one will measure everything in sight.
There you are, a list that will help you find what suits you and your little one!
Still have questions?
Write to me about what interests you and we will be able to work through the topic together at the online meetings of our club. I will call you back free of charge with the details:
