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Indoor Fun for Toddlers
Turn Your Home into an Imagination Station
By Renee Roberson
Toddlers are notorious for their boundless energy, and more often than not, they love to expend some of that energy outdoors. So when the weather turns cold and dreary outside, parents are often left wondering how to keep their toddlers entertained without the help of wagon rides, exploratory nature walks or treks up the sidewalk on tricycles.
While you may be tempted to run out and sign up for indoor swim lessons or classes at the nearest gymnastics center, first consider the many activities you can engage your toddler in that don't require money or, in many cases, even leaving the house.
Sheila Ellison, bestselling author of 10 books including 365 Games Toddlers Play (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2006), is also the mother of six children. She says that her family didn't have television when they were growing up, so early on she tried to learn new, creative ways to play with them. Everywhere she went, she asked parents how they entertained their children, and eventually, she compiled all the ideas she had discovered over the years into her book.
"Parents of young children are generally exhausted," Ellison says. "My concept with kids is to use all the opportunities you can to just play. I like to challenge parents to think creatively with whatever's in front of them."