At this stage of development, your little ones are constantly on the move. Therefore, it is necessary to come up with some games for “quieter” time spent at home, which will entertain them when the weather outside is bad.
Shadow Play
In a darkened room, shine a flashlight on your hand so that the shadow is reflected on the wall. Wave to your child and create funny shadow shapes with your hand. Does your child want to try waving their hand in the shadow? They may also enjoy shining the flashlight on the wall themselves.
Fill and Dump
Make 5 to 10 homemade balls (roll up wax paper or newspapers and tape them). Put the balls in a shoebox or basket. Give the little one another box and show them how to move each ball from one box to the other. If your child walks, place the baskets a few steps apart so they can move from one to the other. These games encourage little ones to move their hands across their body while transferring the balls, which later helps with many skills from athletics to handwriting.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Starting around 18 months, children begin to pretend. A good way to build these skills is by playing with a doll or stuffed animal. You might say: “Oh, Teddy fell and got hurt, he needs a hug.” Then, hug Teddy. See if your child wants to hug Teddy too. You can also use a “prop” — like a cup or blanket, to give Teddy a drink or put Teddy to sleep.
Make a Homemade “Wagon”
Attach a 30-50 cm long string or ribbon to a shoebox. Show your child how they can pull the string to move the box. If they are walking, give them a task to do using their “wagon,” such as bringing clean dishcloths to the kitchen or delivering mail to Dad in another room. This type of activity builds physical skills and problem-solving skills, as the toddler learns how to use an object as a “tool” (pulling the string to move the box). Be sure to supervise closely and put away this toy when you’re done playing.
