What *educational games* to play with toddlers?

Have a look here and consider getting the DVD(s):
exploreplay.com/

The next DVD (I think from 2-3 or 4) will be released soon.

That the problem with me too! She stays by my aunt during the day. Thanx for the tips Claire. Will try those! My LG loves to mess!

Jodon, my little guy is home all day with me and not in a creche. Thats why Im worried because obviously they do stuff there thats educational!

Thanks Claire, great ideas.. Ill copy and paste them and keep them for when he is ready to glue and paint stuff.. I love the idea about the flour etc glued on paper

I give the boys tupperware in the kitchen sink, they pour, put lids on & take off, make me dinner etc - not sure what the educational value is, but it keeps them out my hair for a few minutes.

We count lamp posts when in the car - do it block by block, otherwise the numbers get too high.

Play dough is great - I have a wonderful flop proof recipe if you need it

Colouring in

A bucket of water and a bucket keeps them busy outside "painting the paving / walls / windows - once again, not sure of the educational value, but there must be something there

Puzzles - tho my patience levels don't always allow this (i am a bit too much of a control freak)

Reading - but once again my tolerance levels only take so much of the same book over & over in the same hour

Painting - an outside activity in our house

Glueing - cut pics out of an old magazine, paint a piece of paper with glue and let LO create

Stickers and stamps - as above

A mud patch in the garden is great fun (for them)

A bucket with various objects to "experiment" eg what floats and what sinks and why. It amused Brandon no end to find that some things float when empty, but sink when full (an old juice bottle)

Different textures eg flour, sugar, oats, sand, jelly, pasta etc - can also be sprinkled on a paper with glue to make artwork

Ball - kicking and catching with develope eye / foot / hand co-ordination.

But remember even normal playing is educational for them, they will learn or develope physically even from running around under a sprinkler - eg if it is one that turns, they learn about timing and dodging the spray, so sometimes it is good to just follow their lead.

I would also like to know! Our LO are the same age. C loves writing but you can only do so much writing. She loves to play outside so I'm grateful that summers coming! She also loves to read her books and knows all the pix already and is quite a talker. Makes sentences already! She is not in creche so I'm even more worried than you that she will be behind other kids!

What do you all's kids do in creche? Maybe I can incorporate some of it in her day?

Hi ladies

Please can you share some ideas of what games you play with your toddlers at home?? Not only to keep them busy but also some educational play-time ideas like coloring and building blocks etc. Im all out of ideas and feel Im neglecting that department!!

xxx