You may be wondering what a 13 month old does to keep busy all day. I mean, she can't talk yet, or read, or write, or color, or build with blocks. The list of limitations goes on! But she is clever, dedicated and resourceful, and she's found ways to stay entertained that don't require any of those skills. I thought I'd list a few favorites so that we can always remember the creativity of toddlers:
In and Out
As the name suggests, this involves taking things out and putting things in various containers. Examples include: taking all of the Tupperware out of the cabinet and putting her shoes in the cabinet. (This game gets mom involved trying to find said shoes when it's time to go out!) Taking the trash out of a bedroom trashcan or putting a toy in the nearest trashcan. Scooping the water out of the tub while it fills, and tossing socks in to the tub. Taking all the toys out of the toy bin and putting some of the toys in the recycling bin. Taking all the things out of the diaper bag and then trying unsuccessfully to put some of them back in. This is a good one for the doctor's office or church. The variations on this game are nearly endless.
Way Up There
Suddenly, just yesterday, Ellie discovered that most-exciting of toddler discoveries: there's STUFF UP THERE! After setting up my leftover taco lunch at the computer desk, I closed the gates, popped in a little Dora the Explorer (Ellie's favorite passive entertainment) and darted upstairs to put Spencer into bed. Two minutes later I'm back and surveying the damage: Having immediately abandoned Dora, Ellie has reached up onto my plate and spread fistfuls of shredded lettuce, tomato, taco meat, pepper and guacamole all over the seat and floor. As I approach, she is grinning proudly at her work. And so it begins.
20 minutes later, I step out of the bathroom to see her arm stretched as far over her head as possible, and her chubby little fingers closing around the handle of the juice pitcher on the kitchen table. Time slips into slow motion as I dive across the kitchen to catch it:
"Ellie, N-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!!"
I'm millisecond too late. She pulls the pitcher off the edge and pours its contents all over the floor and her shoes.
This is a game that will continue for many months to come, challenging my poor counter-space-management skills.
Fun with Laundry
This is a game that can be played almost any day of the week since laundry is always being done. First, wait until mom has carelessly left folded clean laundry somewhere within reach. As a soon as she steps away, pull down as much of the pile as you can and shake out the folds. If you manage to get through the existing pile without being noticed you can start to reorganize it as you wish. This may also be a good time to drag a sample of your work off to find mom. She will certainly indicate her approval of your accomplishment and before long she will have it refolded so that you can demonstrate your skill again!
Note: if the only laundry that can be found is in a pile near the washer, it's an invitation to hide toys. See how many small things you can sneak into the pile and how many of those items are discovered before they wind up in the wash. This is a fun game to play with mom any day, and a convenient way to get random toys washed.
Speed-Toss Spin-Off: If you can catch mom in the act of sorting the laundry, it's time for speed-toss! Grab as many pieces of clothing as fast as possible and toss them into random piles. Mom will be trying to change the order of these items, so you have to go as fast or faster than she does to win! Squealing with joy is appropriate while playing this game.
Nursing Gotcha!
This pastime requires patience, persistence, acting skills and timing. First, wait. Wait until mom is really busy: making meals, sewing, taking business calls, or patching up a wounded sibling are all good times for this game. Once you're sure she's busy start tugging on her legs and whimpering. She will probably try to distract you with happy talk. Do not be distracted. Begin wailing. Make the most pitiful faces and sounds you can think of. Pretend you haven't been fed in days and only she can save you from starvation. Refuse offers of crackers or fruit. Squeeze out a few tears if you can--whatever's necessary to get her to stop what she's doing, wash her hands, pick you up, and take you to nurse.
Once she sits down, eagerly nurse for 30 seconds. Act distracted, climb down and walk away talking happily to yourself. Wait until she returns to her task. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Bonus points are earned if she gives up her project in frustration.
Demolition Crew
This is best played when your brother/sister are tired, although it
can be played at other times, too. First, occupy yourself nearby your
intended target and pretend to ignore them. Once they get involved
with a project, specifically any sort of building project, swoop in for
destruction. It's especially effective to wait for a tower or fortress
to be almost complete before toppling it. This will result in maximum
frustration and howling. Once the howling has begun, thwart all
attempts at rebuilding by swiping out any potential foundations until
the sibling runs to mom or dad for protection. Don't worry about any
retribution because you know that they're under strict orders "not to
hurt the baby". When mom or dad comes into the room to inspect the carnage
grin innocently and wave a block around.
Look What I Caught!
While riding on mom's hip, reach out and see how many things you can grab behind her from the environment. Points are given for the number of things grabbed, the relative danger posed by the object, and the mess or destruction caused be the grab. Therefore, jars of marbles, full cups of water, and bowls of hot food are good targets.
Now You See It
While playing outside, zero in on a rock or acorn or stick. Pick it up and walk around proudly with it. Brandish it with joy. Exchange it for another such object. Walk proudly with this one. Continue until the supervising adult feels pretty certain that you're just going to carry the object about and stops to tie a shoe or look at one of the other kids. As quickly as possible, stuff the rock/acorn/stick into your mouth. Magic! The adult will instantly be paying attention to you again as they fish it out and toss it into the woods. Cry pitifully as though the lost acorn/rock/stick was your most beloved object. Then find another.
Repeat any time you're not getting 100% attention!
