5 Ways to Entertain a Child
Even though my baby is only 6 months old, I am quickly coming to realize that being a mom requires having an arsenal of tricks up my sleeve to keep my baby happy and entertained so I can actually get things done on occasion. Obviously there are certain songs and silly faces that will suffice in the entertainment department at this current developmental stage, but eventually I’m going to have to get a little bit more creative as I’ve witnessed as I spend time with my friends and their older children.
As such, I decided to come up with a little list of simple ideas you can use to entertain a little one who is no longer amused simply by the sound of your voice. Feel free to stock pile these ideas for those moments when you are in serious need of a break!
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Blow bubbles
It doesn't get any simpler than bubbles, but something about these soapy little orbs makes kids smile and distracts them for long enough that you can take a breath.
Homemade bubble tutorial via Hello Bee -
Try out some fun new apps
Sometimes simple just won't suffice and you need something flashy and new to catch a kid's attention, but you don't just want to leave them camped out in front of the T.V., so what's a parent to do? Try out some new fun and interactive apps for your iPhone or iPad. Disney Junior has some really great ones that are fun for kids, but still have developmental and educational merit to them and even better, they're free!
apps from the Apple iTunes Store Jake's Neverland Pirate School and Mickey Mouse Club House Road Rally -
Let them build
I will tell you ahead of time that these magnetic tiles are freaking expensive, but they are oh, so worth it! As a preschool teacher, these were the holy grail of toys for my students. They are great for teaching cause and affect, fine motor skills and spatial awareness and they span a wide age range. I've seen two year olds and six year olds love these with equal enthusiasm.
Buy a set at Magna-Tiles -
Let them relax with audio books
This has all of the convenience of propping your kid in front of the television, with far more positive outcomes. Giving your kids their own little headphones to listen to stories is a wonderful quiet activity that will give you both a relaxing break. The Frances Audio Collection is one of my favorites!
Buy the CD's at Amazon -
Let them make noise
So, this isn't an activity that will get you a lot of peace and quiet, but it will keep your child well-entertained. Give them musical instruments and encourage their inner musician to bloom! (You could even just use pots, pans and wooden spoons!)
Buy musical instrument set at Amazon
How do you keep your little one entertained?
Want to learn more? Download the apps and join us August 8th at 9 PM EST for a Disney Junior Twitter party! You could win an iPad. RSVP at http://bit.ly/QsXDE2 and use the hashtags #spon and #mackidtips
A big thanks to Disney Junior for sponsoring this campaign. Click here to see more of the discussion!
**Note: Disney Junior WATCHmakes full length episodes of its popular shows available online at www.watchdisneyjunior.com and via the Disney Junior WATCH app on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and it’s FREE! Comcast Xfinity subscribers have access to premiere content, including a live feed of the network online and through the app. After the live feed, current shows will be available “on demand”. Perfect if you’re in the middle of a show and need to run out to do errands. No complaints from the kids that they’ll miss the end of their show. Or perhaps there are several kids in a family who like different programs. One can watch on the TV, while the other watches on their favorite device. Missed their favorite show? You’ll have up to 10 days to catch up on WATCH! Also, you fans who aren’t on Comcast can contact your cable provider to ask for the service via the website or the app.
Lauren Hartmann is the founder of The Little Things We Do, a blog about life and adventures in Portland Oregon. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or catch up on all of her posts here on Babble.
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