One of the most magical things about toddlers is their endless imagination. Playtime is essential, allowing your little one to become whoever or whatever they want to be. While sweet giggles and echoes of laughter are the main events of playtime, the hidden treasures lie in all the educational components that are woven into the fabric of play.
Finding new ways to incorporate important learning milestones is essential for raising young children. The key to preschool home activities is to unlock excitement and wonder in your toddler games, all while subtly adding dynamic skills and tons of lessons for the future.
The Best Type of Toddler Playtime
One of the key components of toddler playtime is allowing them the ability to move around and explore while learning. Using toddler games to do this is a fantastic way to get them engaged.
During the toddler years, learning isn’t very structured. Instead, a play-based approach is most effective. This philosophy of learning has increased in popularity in recent years, and having some toddler games up your sleeve can help incorporate it into your home. The essential components of play-based learning are:
- Child-centered exploration
- Independent play
- Pretend play
These three things work together seamlessly to encourage well-rounded play that helps with cognitive and social emotional development. Little ones should be allowed to play with little structure and not much dependence on adults around them. Additionally, pretend play is essential to get those wheels turning and help develop little brains. Certain games and activities for toddlers can help support your children in all the best ways.
Best 2-Year-Old Games
Our favorite 2-year-old games are those that enforce the learning objectives one might find in preschool. Scavenger hunts are great for engaging your little one and, as a bonus, might give you a few quiet moments to yourself. Simply give your child a container for collecting things, then give them a theme. Themes like “find things with wheels” or “bring me all the purple things you can find” really help those critical thinking skills. Two-year-old games don’t have to be difficult, and they will provide a bonding experience for you and your toddler.
Our Favorite 3-Year-Old Games
Three-year-old games can have a little more structure than 2-year-old games and will incorporate some more advanced topics. Two of our favorite 3-year-old games are spins on the classics: hopscotch and storytelling. First, take the classic game of hopscotch and up the ante by adding letters. Have your little one jump to whatever letter you call out, then talk about that letter. This active 3-year-old game not only enhances their letter recognition but also improves coordination and balance.
Another favorite 3-year-old game adds a twist to story time, setting the stage for literacy exploration in preschool. Draw simple pictures on pieces of paper, put them in a bag, then take turns drawing them out. Use the pictures to construct a story and enjoy where their imagination will take you! This game nurtures literacy skills and imagination. This can also be used as a 2-year-old game, but tone down the difficulty a bit.
Toddler Games for Days
These engaging toddler games are not just moments of joy – they are stepping stones towards foundational skills that will serve your little ones as they venture into the world of preschool education and beyond. As you revel in laughter and play with your kids, rest assured that every game is a delightful chapter in their early learning story.