Toddler Ideas

They are walking! They are talking! They are eating! Watch out grandparents, here they come! I hope you have been eating well and getting some exercise because this is the stage in your grandchild's life when you will need all the energy you can get. The best plan is to keep them occupied to assist them with their development. Their attention span is fleeting at best so the most effective approach when interacting with your toddler grandchild is to have multiple activities that you can count on to keep their expanding minds and growing bodies occupied. Seek below for many great ideas to help you and your grandchild thrive. Enjoy!

Special Occasion or Just Because Gifts

To Purchase

At this stage you need to think like a movie Director - Lights! Action! Camera! There will definitely be a lot of action and you will want to capture every minute of the time you have together because they are just too darn adorable as they start interacting with the world. Keep your running shoes handy and look below for active gifts that also support your toddler grandchild's development.

Tent

Cost = $$

Age = 1 - 10 years

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = D

Supports Development = ++

Your toddler will love this play tent as his/her imagination play expands.

Stroller & Trike

Cost = $$$

Age = 1 - 5 years

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = D

Supports Development = +++ (physical development)

This trike grows with your grandchild converting in to 4 styles from 1 - 5 years.

Wagon

Cost = $$$

Age = 18 months - 5 years

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = M

Supports Development = ++

Fits two, converts in to three styles and easily folds flat.

Mini Trampoline

Cost = $$
Age = 2 - 150 lbs.
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = M
Supports Development = ++

Promote fun and coordination for your grandchild with this small sized trampoline.

Baby Walker

Cost = $$

Age = 6 months - 4 years

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = M

Supports Development = ++

This walker grows with your grandchild and comes in a pink Mustang, red Mustang and a white F-150 truck.

Lift A Flap Book

Cost = $
Age = 1 - 3 years
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = +++

Your toddler grandchild will love and giggle with delight when lifting flaps and discovering what is hidden beneath.

Dust, Sweep Mop Play Set

Cost = $$

Age = 3 - 6 years
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = ++

Your toddler grandchild is learning, mimicking your activities and wants to help. Give him/her this fun play set.

Leapfrog Word Book

Cost = $

Age = 18 months - 4 years
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = ++

Your toddler grandchild will love this book to push the pictures and hear the sounds & words.

Gift for Parents

Cost = $$

Age = N/A
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = +

Let your grandchild's parents know you care with a neck massager or a sweet gift to tell them what a great job they are doing!

Musical Instruments

Cost = $$

Age = 18 months - 5 years

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = E

Supports Development = +++

This is a gift that you definitely want to check with the parents first. This set includes15 types of musical instruments.

Spin & Learn Flashlight

Cost = $

Age = 12 - 36 months

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = M

Supports Development = ++

Fun toy that lights up and has music to teach colors and assist with cognitive development.

Mega Bloks

Cost = $

Age = 1 - 5 years

Gender = N

Assembly Difficulty = E

Supports Development = +++

Large stacking blocks that are perfect for your grandchild's small hands. Bright colors make for fun play.

Forest Figurines

Cost = $$
Age = 36 months - 10 years

Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = ++

Well made and large forest figurines that will promote imagination play.

Chalkboard / Art Easel

Cost = $$
Age = 36 months - 7 years

Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = M
Supports Development = +++

A combination art easel and chalk board to teach the ABC's or inspire creativity.

Colored chalk, roll of art paper and non-toxic acrylic paint not included

Wood Puzzles

Cost = $
Age = 36 months - 5 years

Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = +++

Learning, touching and playing makes these puzzles perfect for your grandchild.

Handmade Gifts

Nothing says love better than a gift made from the heart

Secret Garden

Cost = $$
Age = 1 - 8 years
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = M
Supports Development = +++

Find a special place in your yard or home and make it a special location for your grandchild. Decorate it to be magical with a few special items.

Painted Rocks

Cost = $
Age =
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = M
Supports Development = +

This is a fun project for you and your grandchild and definitely requires supervison! Find some rocks and paint! Place them in your secret garden.

Gifts for Busy Parents

Cost = $$
Age = N/A
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = M
Supports Development = +

Make DIY coasters (see below) and pair with a bottle of wine or special sparking water. You can also make cute babysitting coupons that can be redeemed at any time. Google "babysitting coupons" for templates.

Apron for Cooking or Painting

Cost = $$
Age = 18 months - 10 years
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = ++

Get a blank apron and decorate it with your toddler using fabric paint, write your grandchild's name then let dry. Close supervision is a must with this project!

Make-Believe Toys

Cost = $
Age = 1 - 4
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = +++

Make a car, a plane, or truck with empty cardboard boxes to expand your grandchild's imagination. See below to even build a house with your grandchild.

Write Letters

Cost = $
Age = 1 year to forever
Gender = N
Assembly Difficulty = E
Supports Development = +++

Everyone loves to get a letter in the mail, including a toddler. You just need a computer, printer paper and printer or handwrite a letter but add pictures or stickers to make it interesting. Be sure to mail it or drop it off so your toddler grandchild can collect it from the mailbox.

Grandparent & Toddler Activities

How can you connect with your beautiful grandchild?
Scroll below for some heart-warming interactive grandparent and toddler grandchild activity ideas.

Music

Sing and dance with your grandchild. Studies show that singing and dance movement supports language skills, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Get sing-along books, get a microphone or play dance games by playing music and saying an animal name and adopt the animal's movements!

Legend

Cost

$ = Low
$$ = Moderate
$$$ = High

Gender

B = Boy
G = Girl
N = Neutral

Assembly Difficulty

E = Easy
M = Moderate
D = Difficult & time consuming

Supports Development

+ = Minimal
++ = Moderate
+++ = Maximum