Category: View from the Home

Posted in View from the Home

View from the Home: Top 5 – 18 Month Old Boy Toys

Posted on by mhd1984

So I officially have a 1 1/2 year old boy and he certainly has his favorite toys.  If you are on the hunt for toys for a 18 month old boy here is a list of all of our current favorite to help you in your selection!  This list is also good if you’re shopping for a first birthday party but want to get something they can grow into!

41uIUfSthIL._SL160_1. Little Tikes Coozy Coop

The Coozy Coop my little one will hop in one of these any chance he gets! We don’t actually own one but our playground is a toy grave yard with lots of these!  We also have some special addition ones at school like the police car and the Truck. He will ride on any car he can get his hands on!

2.  51oZCorexdL._SL160_Hotwheel Cars

My little one loves cars and trucks and busses he can’t get enough.  Number two on our list is hot wheel cars.  My son will spend HOURS lining these cars up and moving them and lining them up again!  Highly recommended and small enough to store in a small condo unlike the Coozy Coop.

3. Little People Collection little-people_tcm219-239557

I remember playing with Little People when I was younger though back then they were much smaller more of a choking hazard.  But today’s Little People  are absolutely adorable with millions of different sets! Some of our favorites are:

4. Mega Bloks51bYtfeF5ZL._SL160_

We love to build!  And the Megabloks we got are just the best for building with little hands.  We’ve tired Duplo’s but they aren’t as easy to build with at this stage as the  Megabloks.  You will not regret your investment in these great toys!

 

5. 215sYbTwXsL._SL160_Parents Magazine Bee Bop Band Play & Learn Drum & Instruments

Musical instruments are great for all little ones!  They love to bang them around and make noise.  Whether it’s this drum kit we love or a fun xylophone, my little one loves to make music!

 

Bonus Toy!

The Easel!!! mala-easel-white__0135810_PE292683_S4

My little one is OBSESSED with drawing on his easel.  Since I won’t let him use the white markers yet I just roll the paper over that portion and he draws with chalk on either side. He absolutely loves it and uses it every single day! We got ours from Ikea.

 

 

 

 

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Posted in View from the Home

View from the Home: DIY Playdough

Posted on by mhd1984

This weekend I decided to try out something new with my 17 month old.  Some homemade DIY Playdough and it was a huge success!!! So much so I wanted to share it with you! Check out all of the information below!

step

Step 1: Add all of the following ingredients into a pot on the stove:
2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Warm Water
1 Cup Salt
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Cream of Tartar (optional)

Step 2: Mix the ingredients together, and stir over low heat.  When the dough begins to pull away from the edges it is ready to be removed from the heat.

Step 3: Keep stirring and cooking until the dough is dry and feels
like playdough.  If your dough still feels sticky keep cooking it a bit longer and it will soon feel like play dough

Step 4: Place the dough on a clean surface and knead it until it becomes smooth. Divide into balls.  Color by poking a whole in the middle of your ball and placing dye  in the center.   Use gloves or a bag to keep your hands dye free

Step 5: Time to play with your play dough.  If you don’t have a playdough toy kit, look around your house and find fun objects that might make fun shapes or stick in your dough.

Step 6: When you’re done, store your playdough in an air-tight container. If it begins to dry out,  knead a bit of water in again. If it gets soggy, you can re-heat it to drive off the extra water the dough.

Posted in View from the Home

View from the Home: Indoor Winter Toddler Activity- Indoor Water Table with Beans

Posted on by mhd1984

We are stuck inside today.  Not only is it winter here but my little one has a temperature keeping him from our scheduled activities. So I looked in the closet and took out our water table.

To complete this fun toddler winter activity I brought it into my kitchen and filled it with beans, shovels, bowls, and cars for him to play with.  I also put towels underneath for easier bean clean up.  Originally I was going to use rice but I couldn’t find any. The beans worked out well.  A few times little one tried to eat them but I just said no blech and he put them back down.  He also shook a bowl a few times spraying the beans but he helped me pick them up and it was all part of the activity.  Hours of indoor fun on a chilly day!

I should note my little one is 17 months old.  I definitely wouldn’t try this with a little one 12 months or under I thing around the 18 month mark is a good age to start.