On a Tight Budget? 3 Educational Toddler Activities That Cost Nothing

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, educational videos and programs made for toddlers do not work on kids under the age of 2.

If your child falls within this range, you must be wondering what other activities she can do now that those Brainy Baby DVDs are not of much help (yet).

There are lots of activities that can help your toddler develop as well as entertain her. What are they? Below are simple games you can enjoy with your child; best of all, they don’t cost a single cent. 

These activities are from a book called Baby Play & Learn by Penny Wagner.

3 Educational Toddler Activities That Cost Nothing (12-18 months)

1. Tube Talk

Skills Learned: Articulation and Speech Improvement, Language Development, Listening Skills

What you need: Toilet or paper towel tubes and non-toxic markers

Playtime: Design the tube to make it more appealing for your child. Then, allow her to delight in the unique muffled sounds produced by directly speaking into the tube. Talk to her, make animal noises, make siren sounds. Just be creative. Also, get her to imitate what she hears.

Safety Tip: The book suggests using non-toxic markers since your child will bring the tube close to her mouth.

2. Paper Play

Skills Learned: Cognitive (Thinking/Reasoning) Skills, Exploration of Senses, Fine Motor Development (used for writing or buttoning)

What you need: Different types of paper: bond paper, wax paper, foil, tissue, Japanese paper, etc.

Playtime: Allow your child to explore the different textures of paper, as well as what can be done with it. Give her one sheet at a time and let her tear, fold or do whatever her tiny hands can manage to. Also, show her other actions she can do like crumpling the paper up into a ball.

Safety Tip: Watch your child in case she wants to snack on paper.

3. Strike Up the Band

Skills Learned: Cause and Effect, Fine and Gross Motor Development, Listening Skills, Rhythm and Movement

What you need: Pots, pans, plastic bowls, milk bottles, empty cereal boxes, egg cartons, ladles, wooden spoons, etc. AND earplugs (for you)

Playtime: Let your toddler hear the different sounds produced by banging on the kitchen “instruments.” Be sure to use the earplugs in case it gets a wee bit loud for you. Also, it is best to do this during daytime since it creates a lot of ruckus.

Safety Tip: Keep sharp and breakable items away.

The Beauty of Simplicity

Who knew that these simple and no-cost activities can help your child develop essential skills? If you have a few minutes each day to spare, play with your toddler using the games above. They will help your child develop while providing a great and fun way for both of you to bond. Enjoy!

Photos (all from Creative Commons):
Toddler with glasses - BenedictFrancis
Toilet paper tubes - Urban Woodswalker
Crumpled paper - ReillyButler
Drumming on pots - Lunchbox Photography