Homeschooling with toddlers can be hard. I’ve had a few toddlers who happily sit and color for hours, but most of my toddlers are quick to find a sharpie and a piece of furniture when I’m not looking. Since everyone enjoyed Tabitha’s post on homeschooling with toddlers (aka distractions) I thought it would be fun for post a toddler activity each week in order to help all of us homeschool our older kids!
Remember, it usually isn’t hard to think of things to do with our toddlers, it is actually doing them that is challenging!
My first activity: Buttons! Cora loves to sort buttons, and while this activity might not be suited for children who still put things in their mouth, older toddlers will find this activity really fun. Button sorting usually buys me about 20 minutes of schooling!
Clean out an empty egg carton and give your child a box of colorful buttons
. They will have fun sorting and putting buttons in the little sections. If your child is older you can draw numbers at the bottom of the egg carton and have them put the buttons in each section according to the number. You can also cut out a piece of colored construction paper and have them sort according to color.
If your child is too young for buttons, or is one of those kids who is always putting things in their mouth you can use Froot Loops. The different colored rings are fun to sort and if they put one in their mouth it’s edible.
The only problem with this button activity is your school-aged kids will probably want to join in the fun!
If you have a great idea for homeschooling with toddlers I’d love to share it. Send me your ideas (or links) and I’ll post it on the site!
Johanna says
Thanks for posting this! My 3 year old boy actually sat still long enough for me to exercise!
Nikki says
I LOVE this button idea. Another great idea I have done is a color hop. I used some clear shelf liner to laminate some shapes in various colors cut out of construction paper. I have my son “race” to sort the shapes by color or by shape. I also tape them to the floor and have him “hopscotch” with them.
Christin says
Oh how I need this! I have a 2 1/2 year old that needs some direction. I feel like she is always last to get what she needs 🙁 and by then she’s all “wound up”.
I look forward to the help, thank you! 🙂
Serenity says
Love the button idea! My Sarah is two and very “curious” (aka: into EVERYTHING). I will give this a whirl 🙂
Shelly says
Thank you, thank you! My just-turned-two baby boy is making school an exercise in frustration these days. I don’t know that the button activity would work for him quite yet, but I am filing it away and anxiously awaiting more ideas! I have been in “this too shall pass” mode for what feels like a LONG time!
Ruth says
I tape a big roll of paper on the dining room table and my 3 and 2 year old sit on it and color. When they are done with this sheet, i will get the end of a newsprint roll from the local newspaper. They have paper left on the roll that isn’t enough for them to use for the paper so they sell it very inexpensively to get rid of it.
Brittney - Our Greener Acres says
That’s a great idea, even if you aren’t homeschooling and just need a way to keep them entertained for a little bit.