Activity & toy ideas for snowy days

Kaia's developmental therapist gave us such a great list of toys and activities that I thought I'd share it here. We haven't even done all of them yet. He also shared a play dough recipe that is supposed to be better (last and stay flexible longer) than store-bought play dough.

1) microphone (singing, imitating words)
2) personal photo books (self concept)
3) echo or voice distortion microphone (imitation/language)
4) Discovery Toys ball tower + various balls (cause/effect, big/little)
5) Velcro fruit (pretend, matching)
6) ‘color of the week’ box (not sure what this is - we haven't done it yet)
7) cookie/cracker matching game (match object to picture)
8) catalogs & sale fliers (rooms in house, language)
9) stickers on faces in a mirror (self-concept)
10) ‘ball pit’ in a clothes basket (find hidden toys, sensory)
11) Lucky Ducks game (color match)
12) Leap Frog basketball (letters, etc)
13) Finding objects in rice (sensory)
14) Magnet fun (United Art & Ed, or fridge magnets & cookie sheets)
15) Stringing bears (fine motor, colors-Dollar Tree)
16) Pull toys that make noise (cause/effect, sensory)
17) Give objects to boy/girl on felt board (gender identification-Dora, etc. felt boards at Meijer)
18) Nesting blocks (size & spatial concepts)
19) Toy in child’s hand during clean up song
20) Finger plays (Tiny Tim Turtle, etc- imitation/language)
21) “hello” song & ‘homemade songs’ (social interaction, language)
22) Play dough (language, pretend, sensory)
23) Tape player & songs (language, sensory)
24) Toy people & who is it? Game with a toy door (turn-taking,language,make-believe play)
25) Sorting game-2 kinds of toys or snacks in separate containers)


Homemade Play Dough

Add to large (pasta) pot:
2 cups flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
¼ cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons cream of tartar
food coloring of choice
scented extract (vanilla, almond, etc-optional)

Stir constantly over medium-high heat until mixture is one large ball

Remove from heat and knead on cutting board until smooth

Store in air-tight container(s)-ziploc bags or Tupperware & keep in a cool place (fridge, etc). Lasts at least 1-2 months