How to keep your toddler entertained during a heatwave!

Keeping an energetic toddler entertained is never easy, and when temperatures soar it can feel even more challenging. The good news is that there are plenty of simple activities that will keep little ones cool while encouraging learning through play. Here are some of our favourite ideas to enjoy during a heatwave

Water play

Water play is an obvious way to keep your toddler cool whilst entertaining them at the same time! Here are some ideas of easy set ups you can do with your toddler. If you don’t have an outdoor space, you can do this inside in a bath or even using an old shower curtain on the floor. 

• Car/ toy wash - get your cars/ toys/ dolls dirty and ask your toddler to wash them clean! Fill a bucket with soapy water and provide different sponges/ cloths for them to use. They have a great time cleaning off the toys, while developing problem-solving skills and strengthening the muscles in their hands.

• Coloured water play - fill different bowls with different coloured water and let your child enjoy mixing them up! They’ll also love seeing what colours are made as they mix together. Add different sized cups and utensils for them to scoop and pour, practising early maths and science concepts while developing hand-eye coordination.

• Chalk paint - mix up some crushed chalk with water to create chalk paint! Provide different paintbrushes and sponges for your toddler to use which will help develop their fine motor skills and pencil grip. Once the chalk paint has dried, your toddler will have just as much fun using water and brushes to wash it away!

Ice play 

There are so many benefits to ice play beyond the obvious of keeping them cool! Handling slippery ice, breaking it into smaller pieces and experimenting with how it melts all help to develop gross motor skills, hand strength and problem-solving abilities.

• Excavation/ ice rescue - freeze small toys/ items in ice and ask your child to free them! This activity will help develop their problem solving skills and their hand-eye coordination. It will also help strengthen their hand muscles which are crucial for early writing skills. As the ice begins to melt it also starts early science conversations around how ice becomes water and water becomes ice. 

• Ice painting - add some food colouring and a lolly stick to your water before freezing it. Once frozen your toddler can use that to paint with! As the ice melts, children can observe how the colours change and mix together, introducing simple scientific concepts through play.

Inside play 

Sometimes it’s just too hot to be outside, or you might not have a shady area in your garden. Here are some ideas to entertain your child inside during a heatwave. 

• Build a den! - Whether you use chairs, blankets or sheets, den building encourages creativity, imagination and teamwork while creating a cool place to relax. It’s also great to develop their imagination and creative play as well as their problem solving skills, teamwork and gross motor skills. 

• Cushion obstacle course: Scatter pillows and cushions across the living room carpet for safe climbing, balancing, and jumping. This helps develop their gross motor skills and imaginative play. Remember to supervise closely and make sure the area is free from hard furniture or sharp corners.

• Painter's tape spiderweb: Create a web shape across a hallway door frame using painter's tape. Stick small animals amongst the tape and provide tweezers and other small utensils for your child to help rescue them. This activity helps develop fine motor skills, hand strength and problem-solving abilities.. If you don’t have a doorway that’s appropriate you can do this activity just as well over a large bowl or tray.

Keeping cool and safe

During very hot weather, remember to encourage plenty of drinks throughout the day, choose shady areas for outdoor play where possible, apply sunscreen regularly, and avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. Lightweight clothing, hats and lots of opportunities to cool down with water play can help children stay comfortable while they enjoy playing.