Toddler

The power of Play-Doh

If you're doubting the power of Play-Doh, we have a little toddler wisdom for you:

Mom to Anselm, 2: "Hey, Anselm, you know what's awesome?

Anselm nodding: "Play-Doh."

Flickr: Photo by edera

The leprechaun trap is ready in the corner of my office/playroom. Is yours?

It better be, because according to my daughter, leprechauns are "very sneaky, but they have lots of real gold." Emphasis on "real."

Wii gun. Amazon.com

When I heard a toddler died because she mistook her father's loaded handgun for a Wii controller, I had the same thought as you -- what is a loaded gun doing around a 3-year-old?

But while many bloggers have turned this into an argument against letting kids play with toy guns, living in rural America I hoped it would shed light on something even more important: how to turn toys into safety tools.

Photo by 3gifts.from.god

Isn't it funny how much music becomes a part of your life once you bring a baby home? Lullabies, crazy made-up songs, dancing...

Here are some musical links I love:

15 favorite lullabies. — Parent Dish

25 best road trip songs for kids and parents. — Babble

You know you're a mother when your child has a song. — Lil Sugar

Create a toddler naptime playlist. — Rookie Moms

What's you and your toddler's favorite song to sing?

Photo by AshBayGrammy

This Week's Confession:

My toddler is very well-mannered and well-socialized around adults, but he has very little experience with other children. He is an only child and only has one cousin in town who is anywhere near his age; but I don't like letting him play with her because her parents are irresponsible, and she sets bad examples for my son (constant tantrums, no boundaries). I don't want to take him to play groups because I am worried about him getting sick during the flu season...

Photo by LelandsMommy

Games, puzzles, toys, building blocks, dollhouse play, arts and crafts, fort building, video games, reading, there are a lot of activities you can play with your kids, if you're so inclined.

What are you and your kids' favorite activities to play together?

Photo by rach_jaco

"Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away." It's Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary this week, so I thought I'd do a link roundup toasting to this beloved series.

I do love a cardboard playhouse (not an $89 cardboard playhouse, mind you...), and this new Color Me House and Color Me Rocket can turn into hours and hours of good creative fun for toddlers. Plus, it's low impact on the planet when they're done...

Photo from Cafe Sheri; Little Hero Cape from Mahar Drygoods

This little initial superhero cape is not a Halloween costume idea (although it certainly could be and might be if I don't get my act together LOL) but more a fun idea for every day play.