Toddlers are such fun little creatures....
We have all heard of the “terrible twos”. Truthfully though, toddlerhood is one of the most magical times in your child’s life; therefore one of the most amazing times as a parent too! Personalities begin to blossom and energy levels thrive. Little brains are growing tremendously fast and absorbing just about everything around them. At How 2 Mom, we LOVE the toddler stage; with all of its ups and downs! Below you’ll find the Top 10 Items our little ones couldn’t go without and love to play with! We hope you’ll enjoy!
1. A Pool!
Whether you have a family pool or not, a small wading pool is essential for toddlers! They love to splash around and play which is such a blessing especially on crazy humid Summer days! Be sure to always watch carefully when your kiddos are playing in ANY body of water, whether it be a deep pool or just a small wading one...safety first!
2. A Sensory Table
Who knew large plastic buckets could be such fun?! Fill with sand, water, bubbles, pom poms...you name it! This is such a must have as your little one learns about different textures and properties. Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog with some great ideas for Sensory Tables through the Seasons!
3. A Slide/Rollercoaster
Simple pleasures! A slide or coaster can keep a toddler entertained for quite a long time! An added bonus is exercise! Climbing over and over helps your child build muscles and burn off some energy. And let's be honest, burning off some of that extra toddler juice isn't a bad thing for making nap time a better guarantee!
4. A swing/swingset
This can be a great combo with # 3 and is sure to provide you with giggles you'll want to bottle up. Whether you have a full swing set or just a single hanging one in a tree; you'll most definitely want to make sure to have one at your home!
5. Board Puzzles/Blocks/Cups
Another fairly simple set of items! With any one of these, you can literally see the wheels turning in their little brains as they think through and process what they are doing. We list them all together since we consider these "easy learning tools"! With the countless options out there, these are some great toys to start collecting. Enjoy watching your mini human learn and grow!
6. Play Kitchen/Food
Another great gender neutral toy for toddlers. These are staples in the How 2 Mom Team's homes. Toddlers LOVE to feel included. Having a play kitchen to cook and learn in helps them feel like they are working alongside mom/dad when they food prep. It can make getting your own meals together so much smoother when they are able to practice on their own right there with you!
7. Potty Training Seat
Toddlerhood means bye-bye diapers, hello pull-ups and undies...kind of bittersweet! As your child learns to use the restroom on their own, they will need something size appropriately accessible and ready. Nobody wants to be falling into a toilet! Click on the image or heading above to snag one of the How 2 Mom Team's fave training tools for our little ones!
8. Sleep Rails
Just like potty training can be bittersweet, so can saying goodbye to the crib your baby has slept in for however long. It's a big change not only for mom and dad, but for your toddler as well! They are used to being enclosed in a safe space, but when the transition to a "big boy/girl" bed happens, you want to be sure to keep them safe. This not only helps to train them to stay on their new bed, but also will give you better peace of mind when sleeping at night.
9. Keen Shoes
We all know, toddlers are constantly on the move! Keens are a favorite to have because their uses are so versatile. Toes are covered for protection and there is a nice grip bottom, yet the sides are open letting airflow and different textures still touch their little feet. Click above to browse the various styles!
10. Toddler Eating-ware
At How 2 Mom, we have 2 favorite categories here!
1) Stick/Grip dishes are a necessity as your toddler learns about eating by themselves. It can really help keep messes to a minimum since they won’t be able to just toss aside their entire plate or bowl if they don’t prefer what is inside (and let’s be honest here…a toddler isn’t going to love everything you set in front of them 😉 They are learning what tastes yummy, and what isn’t quite in their taste pallet just yet.).
2) You may have seen us mention before how much we love Re-play Recycled Dishware! They are high-quality, long-lasting, microwave and dishwasher safe! And that’s not even the best part. All of the dishes are made from recycled milk jugs that are BPA Free and FDA approved! You can know that the dishes are simple to clean and to care for, along with being safe for your child to eat off of (which can’t be said about everything!).
Last but NOT least...
The most true essential of them all...your genuine attention and love. It can be SO easy to get distracted when our little ones grow up and become more self sufficient. Daily house tasks like laundry, dishes, ect. can interrupt moments and time we can't get back. Try to engage with your Toddler and make them a PART of your daily tasks. Though this can be easier said that done sometimes, even letting them wash one plastic bowl while you do the rest of the dishes makes them feel appreciated! We hear it all the time, their brains are like sponges at this age. Knowing that the people who they love and admire the most in this world want them to be a part of each thing helps them to grow with a feeling of importance. We encourage you to turn off your electronic devices, or just leave them in another space! Spend QUALITY time with your children...it truly means the world to them!
Much Love,
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