In today’s world, we are constantly inundated with information on parenting—what we should be doing, using, buying or reading to raise healthy, happy kids—so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Just take a look on my nightstand at my half-read parenting book collection. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good parenting hack or Instagram account (@BigLittleFeelings, @BusyToddler, etc.), but sometimes I find myself simply exhausted trying to do it all right.
Last week, my daughter, Mae, and I spent the morning at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
It was a gorgeous day, and we needed some sunshine. As we strolled through the park, I was texting a mom friend about summer camps, trying to come up with activities to occupy and entertain my kids this summer, when I noticed how much Mae was enjoying the rocks–not the plants, the sculptures, or the Koi fish in the Japanese gardens, but the gravel rocks!
Seeing her find joy in the simplest of things was a reminder that I didn’t know I needed to slow down and just enjoy the little things.
Sometimes we’re so busy trying to stimulate their little minds that we forget the world itself is fascinating. To a 21-month-old, it’s all new and exciting, and while I may not have noticed those little pebbles of varying sizes, colors, and shapes, Mae certainly did. She noticed their textures, how they sifted through her little fingertips, and the splash they made as she threw them in the water. She didn’t need a structured day out, just time to take in the world around her and simply explore it.
To all of you moms out there seeking resources and activities as we head towards summer vacation, let this be your reminder that sometimes the simplest of activities are the best ones!
Here are a few of my favorite activities to help spark my little ones’ interest and keep things simple:
Sensory Bins
Fill a shallow plastic bin with water, sand, uncooked rice, pasta, or cereal, throw in some small objects like figurines, rocks, pom-poms, or matchbox cards, and add some scoops, tongs, water droppers, and sponges. Let them get messy as they splash, toss, sift, and scoop. My son’s personal favorite was soapy water with a sponge and hot wheels to make a carwash. (An under-the-bed-box is shallow and great for sensory bins!)
Exploratory Walks
Take your time and let your kiddo lead the way. Notice as they explore the sights and sounds of your own backyard, the neighborhood, or a nearby nature trail. Keep it simple and don’t interfere. Let them get messy digging in the dirt, splashing in puddles, collecting pine cones, or searching for bugs. For older kids, give them a bag to collect things they discover along the way.
Bubble Popping
Invest in a good bubble machine, crank it up, and let them pop, blow, chase, or bite the bubbles. Turn up some music and get those wiggles out! We love the song “Bubble Rap” by Casper Babypants!
Wash the Steps
My mother-in-law came up with this one day and it’s been a favorite ever since! Fill a bowl with a little soap and a sponge, then let them squeeze, rub, drip and pour the water down the steps. My son has pretended it’s an avalanche, lava from a volcano, a river, etc., and it never gets old! Let them draw with chalk and then watch as the water blends the colors while it washes them all away.
Scarf Play
Scarves are always a hit! You can buy those multicolored play scarves, but chances are you have a few around the house. Stick them down in an old tissue box, and let your littles use those finger muscles to pull them out. Play peekaboo, and take turns hiding underneath them. Use them for dress up, scarf dancing, tossing back and forth, and more. There are even scarf dance songs on Spotify!
