Slide-Racing Time

Toddler ages: 23 months, 23 months, 3.5 years

Materials you'll need:
-a smooth floor
-socks or sleepers

So I've posted about races before, but these are just any kind of races. These are sliding races! The 7-year-old girl invented this game, and here's how it goes...

First, there's the start...

Then there's the run...

Next there's the best part...the slide...

The slide doesn't always go as far as one would like...

But there's always big brother to help the twins get up to try again...

This was great fun and lasted well over half an hour. Thanks, 7-year-old girl, for coming up with this idea!

Block Time

Toddler ages: 23 months, 23 months, 3.5 year

Materials you'll need:
-blocks

This is a repeat activity, but also a reminder that repeat activities are fine, as long as you are doing something fun with your toddler(s)!

It seemed as though the thing the 3 three and under enjoyed the most was piling the blocks on the 7-year-old girl's lap...

When Twin A was not engaged in that activity, he was pensively pondering what he should do next with the blocks..

Sometimes there was block-hugging...

And other times there was just good old-fashioned tower-building...

Thanks for joining us!

Chin-Character Time

Toddler age: 3.5

Materials you'll need:
-washable markers
-various cloth coverings
-a very small hat (optional)

For this activity, you'll need to draw an upside-down nose and eyes on your child's chin. The best way I can describe what comes next is to have you watch the video my daughter did...



Try it on older kids, too. This was so fun! Thanks for listening!

"Macarena" Time

Toddler ages: 23 months, 23 months, 3.5 years

Materials you'll need:
-someone who knows how to do "The Macarena"

Yet another spontaneous activity the kids came up with!

Here are Twin A and the 3-year-old receiving instruction from their siblings...

Apparently Twin A needed a little individualized instruction...

If you don't know how to do "The Macarena", you can learn it from the lovely Brittish lady below...

Have fun, but don't pull a muscle!

Reading Time

Toddler ages: 23 months, 23 months

Materials you'll need:
-books

This was a spontaneous TV-free moment the twins planned themselves. I love having twins!

Thanks for listening!

Soda Bottle and Canning Ring Time

Toddler ages: 23 months, 23 months, 3.5 years

Materials you'll need:
-empty soda bottles filled with various objects such as beans, rice, etc.
-canning rings

Remember these soda bottles?....

So I'm not sure which toddler came up with this idea, but I walked in on them having retrieved all of the canning lids from their drawer and using them as soda bottle jewelry. Here's the fun they had...

Here, notice the excitement manifested by the wriggling feet...

Canning lids on feet...

Canning lids on hands...

Angel canning lids...

Peek-a-boo canning lids...

Not sure he wants to share canning lids...

Done with canning lids...

Still loving to shake the soda bottles...

Hope you and your toddler(s) enjoy this as much as we did!

Leading Music Time

Toddler ages: 23 months, 23 months

Materials you'll need:
-youtube

I don't know if this would technically be considered a TV-free activity, because there is an electronic screen involved, but I'll let you be the judge!

If you've read today's post on my regular blog, you know that I was inspired by youtube Mormon Tabernacle Choir videos. But not only was I inspired, the twins seemed to be deeply touched as well! I allowed them to get up onto the stools next to our computer...

...and as they watched the sacred hymns being sung, I began to wave my hands in time to the director's leading. Soon I noticed the twins were trying it, too! Here's one attempt at photographing that event...

It was so fun watching their little faces in awe of the beautiful music...

...and I would encourage you to try this with your little ones! Here are some of the hymns we worked with (click to view)...

The Iron Rod
Come Thou Fount of Many Blessings
How Firm a Foundation
Hooked on Classics

Thanks for listening. :)