Keeping a toddler busy is no easy feat, especially 24/7 during a pandemic. With my husband and I both working from home, providing our two-year-old with some extra entertainment is a must to get though the work day. Although I love those DIY crafts and science experiments you find on Pinterest, sometimes you just need something easier. Each time we go to the store for the essentials, we find ourselves picking up a project, trinket or something new to engage our toddler. Read on for our top ten things to buy for your kid and sanity.
Bubbles
I’m sure anyone with kids knows, they love bubbles, no matter the age. Playing with bubbles is pretty much my daughter’s favorite thing to do. The really great thing about bubbles is they are easy to find and there are so many options to choose from. My favorite brand of bubbles is Fubbles because of the quality and spill-proof options.
Coloring Supplies
From markers to crayons, coloring is an easy way to entertain your kids. With more time at home, we have found drawing pictures and making homemade cards for loved ones is an exciting activity. As a bonus, it helps us connect with those we can’t see in person during this time. Lets be honest, who doesn’t love to send or receive mail? Trust me on this and add some exciting new papers and coloring supplies to your list of things to buy for your kid and your sanity!
Outdoor Items
Summer is right around the corner and outdoor items are hitting the shelves. My daughter loves her big flexible flying disc I found for $5. Discs, balls, or kites can not only give your kids something to do, but they help get them outdoors and moving. The weather is finally warming up for us, so let’s get them outside and soaking up some of that delicious vitamin D.
Games
Don’t underestimate the entertainment factor of a good card or board game. The Disney Princess memory game we picked up on Amazon has helped our daughter learn the concept of taking turns as well as matching the pictures. Uno and Twister are other games we recently busted out of the closet.
Kinetic Sand or Play-dough
I truly believe that in a child’s mind, the messier the better. Although kinetic sand and play-dough can get pretty messy, it allows your child to practice their motor skills and get creative. Cookie cutters and molds can be great additions to this activity. Of all the things to buy for your kid and your sanity, this will give great bang for your buck!
Arts & Crafts
Before the stay home order began, we didn’t have many art supplies on hand. A wind chime, sun catcher, and wooden bee are just a few craft kits we found at the store. These little kits have everything included to create your own masterpiece and stimulate your child’s creativity.
Puzzles
Not only are puzzles a great way to pass the time, they also have several other benefits. Puzzles can help with memory, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and shape recognition, just to name a few. The older my daughter gets, we try to introduce more challenging puzzles into playtime. Our new favorite is a spelling puzzle with multiple three-letter words.
Sidewalk Chalk
Since the beginning of COVID-19, sidewalk art has become more noticeable in neighborhoods. Drawing chalk pictures or writing inspirational messages can not only keep your kids busy, but also spread a little happiness to your neighbors. If you don’t have a sidewalk, you can use chalk on the cement in your garage or on cardboard.
Stickers
Many pieces of my daughter’s artwork from daycare has stickers on construction paper. So we took this activity from the daycare playbook. It is amazing to see a child’s face light up when they see a sheet of stickers. Anything from simple sticker sheets to sticker storybooks and funny face stickers will do!
Window Clings
I’ve never been a huge fan of window clings, but my daughter absolutely loves them. They keep her busy and put her imagination to work. We found cute summer-themed window clings at Target to get you in the mood for the summer season.
During this time, it’s worth the little bit of money it costs for easy entertainment so we can all get some work done. These things to buy for your kid and your sanity should provide a bit of a reprieve!
For some more ideas, check out Activities for Your Kids (and Your Sanity) While Stuck at Home.
