Playdough Fun

Hailey loves playing with playdough.  She asks every single day if she can play with it. 

Playdough is a great learning tool for toddlers.  It can be used to teach colors and shapes, letters and numbers.  It can be used to talk about textures and to strengthen the muscles in your toddlers hands. 

When Hailey plays with playdough I provide her with some “tools” such as a rolling pin, Popsicle sticks, straw, cookie cutters, etc.  Or sometimes I don’t give her any tools so that she can just use her imagination. 

There are some great playdough recipes for making it yourself, which is great to do with toddlers too.  So far though we have just used the store bought playdough.

Every time we use the playdough Hailey insists that we write certain names like Pa, Grandma, Daddy, Dottie and Brooke. 

And we also take time to make some shapes and practice saying their names.

Playdough is cheap and fun and easy to clean up.  It’s an all around great activity for toddlers and preschoolers.  And it just so happens that I love to play with it too!

Ladybug Craft

One of the themes I am focusing on this month with Hailey is ladybugs.  We have read some ladybug books (She loves “The Grouchy Ladybug” by Eric Carle) and looked at pictures of ladybugs.  So, the other day we made a ladybug.

What you’ll Need:

• Paper plate
• Markers or paint  (I had planned to use paint, but we were all out of red paint I didn’t feel like dealing with the mess)
• Black circles (I pre-cut these because Hailey is too young for scissors) and a face for the lady bug.
• Glue
• A cooperative toddler

 Directions:

Paint or color the paper plate.  Then glue on face and spots.  Simple!

The completed ladybug. 

Remember- when doing art activities with toddlers the process is much more important than the end product.  Hailey had a blast making her ladybug.

Tags: Ladybug Craft, Toddler and Preschool Activities

Painting That Won't Make a Mess

Does your toddler or preschooler love to paint?  I think that painting is probably one of Hailey’s favorite activities.  But, there are some days when I don’t really feel like dealing with the mess that usually accompanies painting.  So, something that is just as much fun to a toddler or preschooler that doesn’t create a big mess of paint is painting with water.  On a warm day go outside and give your child a bucket of water and a paint brush.  Allow your child to “paint” the sidewalk, patio, deck, driveway, etc.  The only mess that might be created is a little water on your child’s clothes- which is fine for a warm day anyways.

Tags: free toddler activities, painting with toddlers, painting with water

Saturday Stirrings- Potato Salad

Time for another round of Saturday Stirrings.  Woo Hoo!!

Since summer is here and it’s time for BBQ’s and picnics I’m sharing a recipe for potato salad this week.  It’s one that my mom makes and it is so delicious.  It isn’t like your regular mustard type of potato salad.  And I am not exaggerating when I tell you I could eat the entire recipe by myself.  It is that good.

Ranch Potato Salad

Ingredients:
2 pounds small red potatoes, cooked
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing (I’ve made it with other brands and it is not the same.)
Black pepper
8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled

Directions:
Cut slightly cooled small red potatoes into 1 inch cubes. In large bowl combine potatoes, green onions and ranch dressing. Toss gently and dust with pepper. Garnish with bacon. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Just a few simple ingredients.

Yummy Potato Salad

Stop on over to It Coulda’ Been Worse to see some more yummy recipes.

Tags: Potato Salad