WFMW: Occupying a toddler (without TV)

To occupy my toddler (without plopping her in front of the television) while I take care of kitchen chores or prepare dinner, I like to use activities that will stimulate and entertain. I've found great ideas in Barbara Curtis's Small Beginnings and La Britta Gilbert's I Can Do It! I Can Do It!

Some of these activities do require some minimal set-up on my part and some clean-up effort (for both of us) but I find the effort to be well worth it! The idea is to expose Caroline to different textures and develop her fine motor skills with these activities. Some things we've tried and found worth repeating: spooning beans, spooning colored water, finger painting, playing with playdough, scooping cotton balls (or rice or sand, etc), and the always easy, always available hit, playing in a sink of soapy water.

These activities keep Caroline busy while I unload the dishwasher, get dinner ready, organize cabinets, etc. To make these activities and other kitchen-helping/observing easier, I highly recommend the Learning Tower, a wooden platform that puts the child at counter level. It *is* quite pricey, but I talked to several families who have one before buying this and they all gushed about how worth it it is. I totally agree. This will hold up for multiple kids (resale!!), and I have friends who say their kids use it until four or five years old. (My 5-year-old niece certainly enjoys it when she is here.)

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit Rocks in my Dryer.