Sit beside me IDEAS
for toddlers age 1-2 years
engaging activities and toys with minimal prep (or none at all) for the parents who need a fast fix!
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Colander Sew
Shoe laces or string and a colander is all they need. They can also stick pipe cleaners through the holes.
Age
12 months +
Likes
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Low prep
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Can make it at home
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Practices fine motor skills.
Notes
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This works best with a string with stiff ends like a shoe lace. If you don't have a shoe lace, use tape around the end of a string to mimic a shoe lace.
Materials
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Colander
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String like a shoe lace.
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If you would rather buy lacing cards. I have linked that product. Click the "Buy it button" to get it from Amazon.
Magnet Drawing Board
This is fun for your child who is just beginning to hold a pencil and draw. They don't have to push the pen down as hard as a regular crayon to see what they drew. You don't have to worry about them drawing off the paper.
Age
12 months +
Likes
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ZERO prep
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To-go activity!
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The travel size is perfect for these tiny hands.
Notes
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The product I linked does NOT include the magnetic stamps that most come with. I want to avoid the choking hazard and they just get lost anyway.
Materials
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Click the "Buy it!" button to get it on Amazon.
Spice Jar Drop
Take an old spice jar and fill it with cake pop sticks. That's it! Let them drop the sticks through the holes.
Age
9 months +
Likes
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Low prep
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To-go activity! Small enough to fit in diaper bag.
Notes
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Use a spice jar with two types of dispensers on the lid. One flap with smaller holes, and one flap with a larger pouring hole so they can get the sticks out on their own.
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Order plenty of sticks for replacement.
Materials
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Spice container
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Cake pop sticks
Container Drop
Take an old plastic or cardboard container and cut a hole out of the lid big enough for an object to pass through. Give your child objects to drop into the container. I used the plastic lids to all the pouches my kids were gobbling up as the object. You can also do a deck of cards, pom balls, popsicle sticks, etc.
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OR if you don't have time/interest to make this, I have linked a toy version to purchase instead.
Age
9 months +
Likes
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Low prep for long term use
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To-go activity! (depending on the size of container)
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Easy to switch this up with a different container/objects when your child seems to lose interest
Notes
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Use tape around the hole you cut in the lid so the rough plastic doesn't hurt tiny fingers
Materials
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Container with a lid
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Scissors
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Objects to put in it
Ribbon Pull
Easy DIY engaging activity that will let your little one explore textures.
Age
6 months +
Likes
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Low prep
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To-go activity
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Endless options of materials
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Practices fine motor skills
Notes
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Click the button on the right to see my blog post for multiple variations of this activity.
Materials
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Snack cup with no spill lid
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Ribbons of various colors or textures
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Scissors
Button Art
Your toddler can create art independently. The buttons are big enough for tiny hands to hold. The set comes with multiple pictures to complete. The hole on the picture is surrounded by a color for the child to match.
Age
12 months +
Likes
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ZERO prep
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Art without the mess
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Color matching
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Multiple pictures to design
Notes
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While the buttons are large, they are still a choking hazard.
Materials
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Click the "Buy it!" button to get it on Amazon.
Puffy Stickers
Give your child some puffy stickers and anything to put it on. A box, paper, the window, the side of the fridge, themselves.
Age
12 months +
Likes
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ZERO prep
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Puffy stickers are easy for them to peel off.
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Most puffy stickers are removable so they can put them anywhere without worry if you turn your head for a minute
Notes
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Melissa and Doug have some specific puffy sticker packs. I bought this box of stickers in bulk and they have lasted us a long time. I throw a few sheets in my diaper bag for restaurants, airplane rides, car rides, appointments etc.
Materials
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Click the "Buy it!" button to get it on Amazon.
Pom Drop
I had cardboard tubes taped to the side of my kitchen cabinet for a year at least. My kids would sit there and drop the variety of sized poms down the multiple tubes while I worked. Put this in the kitchen, the side of your desk...wherever you need!
Age
12 months +
Likes
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Low prep
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Can use with any objects that will fit down a toilet paper tube
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Will entertain a variety of ages
Notes
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Challenge older kids to use tongs or spoons to pick up the poms
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Can also tape regular sheets of paper to the wall as tunnels
Materials
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Cardboard tubes
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Tape
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Poms or other objects
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Optional - tongs, spoons
Toy Kitchen Sink
This is a toy sink that actually works! You fill the base with water, flip the handle and water actually comes out of the faucet.
Age
12 months +
Likes
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Low prep
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It comes with the dishes
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Kids LOVE this!
Notes
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This will occupy your kids for a long time, if you don't mind the mess.
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Put a towel down first.
Materials
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Click the "Buy it!" button to get it on Amazon.
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Batteries
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Towel
Color Wonder Paintbrush Pens
If you are familiar with the Color Wonder products offered by Crayola but have not tried these paintbrush pens, you need to! My kids enjoy Crayola's regular mess-free Color Wonder markers but they fight over these paintbrush pens!
Age
12 months +
Likes
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Low prep
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Kids can color or "paint" and you don't have to worry about a mess
Notes
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Must use with the Color Wonder special paper. The item linked comes with some.
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I searched high and low on Amazon but could not find them; the link is Target
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They also sell some regular ink washable paintbrush pens
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Consider multiple packs if you have multiple kids
Materials
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Product linked. Click the "Buy it!" button. (Target)
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Extra Crayola Color Wonder paper sold separately
Latches Board
I recommend this for age 9 months and up but it is a great toy for whatever age your child really starts playing with things. They might not start understanding the concept of the locks and latches until after 12 months but kids younger than 1 year just love opening and closing things.
Age
9 months +
Likes
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ZERO prep
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Vibrant colors
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Will use for many years
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Also includes counting and numbers
Notes
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Younger children may get frustrated with latches they can't lock or unlock. This might need more adult participation than you anticipated.
Materials
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Click the "Buy it!" button to get it on Amazon.
Lovevery
This is a subscription box with montessori type toys for ages 0-4 years old. There are lots of boxes like these out there. I am recommending this type of box as a "Sit Beside Me" activity because from what I know this has little parent involvement. Certain toys may require teaching kids what to do at first but after that, the child will be able to play more independently.
Age
0 months +
Likes
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They offer boxes for a variety of ages.
Notes
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I have not personally tried this subscription box, but I have many friends that have and love it.
Materials
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Order a box by clicking the "Order it" button.
SpinAgain by Fat Brain Toys
This is great for kids who are learning how to stack things. It is fun to watch it spiral down.
Age
9 months +
Likes
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ZERO prep
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Kids will play with for many years
Notes
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Many young children with older siblings may like to watch this toy before they are able to work it themselves.
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Travel size available
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Other brands available on Amazon
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Older siblings may use the stick as a sword - You've been warned!
Materials
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Click the "Buy it!" button to get it on Amazon.