Keeping a toddler entertained can be quite a mission some days, but there are fun places to take a toddler that can be found in just about every city. Toddlers love color, music, and anything hands on that they can play with. The fun locations listed below include all of those qualities just about any toddler with love and much more.
Museums
There are many different types of museums, and toddlers will love all of them. Toddlers find it very interesting to look at all of the paintings and the colors that are used. It can also be educational for them by asking what colors, shapes, and animals they see in the paintings. Tots that are interested in dinosaurs will be absolutely mesmerized by the size of the dinosaurs offered in some museum exhibits. Many museums also offer an interactive, hands-on area for children to play and experiment in. In some cities there are museums geared towards children only and the entire museum is hands-on educational activities. Planetariums are often offered in museums. It is amazing for a toddler to sit back and watch the compelling sky change right before their eyes.
Story Time
Majority of libraries and some book stores offer a free story time for children, from infants to school-aged. The program normally consists of reading books, singing upbeat songs, finger play, and a hands-on activity. Attending programs such as this helps promote an increase in the attention span of babies and toddlers. Story times lay down a great foundation for the love of reading. In addition the program introduces your child to new words, sounds, and pictures. This helps build a strong vocabulary early on in life.
Zoo
Toddlers will love to see the animals they have only seen in books, come to life right in front of them. They will be able to hear the sounds the animals make; this would be a great opportunity to ask your toddler if they can say the sounds as well. Other educational activities that can be done at the zoo include asking what the animals’ names are and what color are the animals. Toddlers will be amazed at seeing all the exotic animals that they may have never even heard of before. A visit to the zoo can easily take up an entire day filled with fun and learning. Tots will also love to visit the gift shop and see the stuffed animals, games, and books about the animals they just learned about.
Park
Going to the park is a free and remarkable trip all children love. Even if your child has a swing set and slide at home they would much rather play on the ones at the park, they are so much more intriguing to children. It is nice to take a walk around the park with your toddler naming the objects you see along the way. Many activities are able to be done at the park, such as a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts at the park can be very fun because there are so many things to search for. Some of the items can include a big rock, small rock, leaf, ladybug, sand, certain color, and shapes. It is also fun just to let your tot run and have a great time in the open space.