 |
Toddler Play StationsSet up toddler play stations at your child's birthday party to designate play areas indoors and outdoors with safe, enticing toys. The play that opens from these toddler play stations will likely be a combination of solitary play and joint play. Toddlers will follow the same model in their itineraries-- they'll most likely move separately from station to station, rather than as a group. So children and parents may wind up scattered among several play stations, experimenting and playing. Below are some toddler-friendly play stations to include in your child's first birthday party. Teddy Bear PicnicMaterial NeededAssortment of stuffed animals (or B.Y.O.T--- Bring your own Teddy)Giant picnic blanket Miniature plastic cups, plates, and spoons Small containers(with lids) of safe finger foods for each child/teddy Shoe boxes and doll blankets InstructionPlace the blanket down and set up the place settings and snacks on top. Use the shoe boxes as chairs to prop up the teddy bears for the picnic. Later, Teddy can also curl up with his blanket and take a nap inside his shoe-box bed. If he wants to go for a drive, Teddy can also ride around in his fancy show-box Cadillac.Dress-up BoxMaterial NeededLarge hatboxChildren's and adults' hats Sunglasses (with lenses removed) Large hand-held mirror for parents to hold while the children check out their new looks Blanket Teddy bears and stuffed animals InstructionBegin with the hats in the hatbox. This simple dress-up station will come into life when toddlers put hats on their own heads, on the teddy bears, or on their parents. And when they behold the magical transformations in the mirror, more glee ensues. Let's play ballMaterial NeededSoft, medium-size balls for indoor play Slide Cardboard boxes, plastic baskets, or crate InstructionToddlers will tap, roll, kick, chase and toss the ball, send it down a slide, drop it in a box.Water PlayMaterial NeededPlastic dishpan Plastic cups tub toys,such as rubber ducks, fish, or boat. Towels InstructionPlace each of the small plastic pans on the deck or patio or lawn with beach towels underneath and fill with a few inches of water. Provide plastic cups and tub toys, and each toddler will invent his own fun.Music maker for allMaterial NeededCowbells, rattles,shakers Crown or party hats capes Streamers InstructionMusical experimentation; add props so older toddlers can create a musical parade.Buckets of LEGOsMaterial NeededGiant LEGOs or wooden blocksSmall buckets with handles or shoe box InstructionPlace LEGO's or blocks in the buckets or boxes. Hauling, dumpling, tower building, and tower crashing will ensue. Allow for enough elbow room so that each child can build and knock down his blocks. At the end of the party the blocks stay at your house, but send the box or bucket home with the children with small party favors inside.
|
