Resources

Play Ideas by Age

Explore the world with toddlers: ages 1 to 3
- Blocks are a big hit with toddlers. Use your creativity--you can make them out of household items like cereal boxes or used margarine tubs. Expect your child to build lots of towers-and then gleefully knock them down!

- Your two-year old's imagination is growing. Help him pretend with tea parties for dolls or stuffed animals, imitations of cooking and cleaning, or pretend repair jobs around the house.

- Whenever you get a chance, sit your child on your lap and look at a book with her. For information about visiting your public library, see our website at www.playingforkeeps.org.

Imagine your pre-schooler's play possibilities!: ages 3 to 5
- Go on a "twin hunt"! Gather a few items like leaves, twigs, rocks, and feathers and put them in a box. Take a walk with your pre-schooler and find a "twin" for each item.

- Use a puppet or make one out of a paper bag or sock to encourage your child to act out problems. Get big boxes from an appliance store. The play possibilities are endless. Make tunnels to crawl through, set up bowling games with happy meal toys, create a house (after a parent makes some windows) by painting walls, drawing murals, and hanging curtains made from old clothes or towels.

01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • Resources