Toddler Activities - Joyful Messes

Fun Fall Leaf Activities

Fall is the favorite season of many people throughout the world. Not only is it the season of everything pumpkin, but even nature also celebrates this time! From the cool, crisp breezes filling our lungs with refreshing air to the palette of colors on the trees as the leaves change, fall is a time of wonder and beauty. What better way to celebrate the changing seasons than by engaging in some fall leaf activities with your kids and family? Below are just a few ideas to help you and your little ones fully delve into the joy that fall and autumn leaves can bring! Leaf Art Projects There is nothing to soothe the soul like creating something artsy! One easy and fun leaf art project to do with your kids this Fall is to make a picture of leaf rubbings. Let your little ones collect their favorite leaves from the yard and lay them…

Exercise

Tips for Hiking with Kids of All Ages

Hiking is a favorite pastime for people of all ages. It is a wonderful way to absorb some natural vitamin D and get tons of fresh air. Added bonuses are getting exercise while enjoying the beauty of the natural world around us. Going hiking with kids however can be somewhat challenging if you have never done so or are not properly prepared! We have compiled a list of some of the most important things to do in preparation. Also, there are some ideas for keeping the hike fun and engaging for everyone no matter their age! Length of Your Hike When planning out your hike with kids, one of the first things to determine is the length of the hike. While young kids always seem to have a limitless supply of energy, hiking may use different muscles than they are used to. A good way to decide how long your hike should…

Kids Activities

8 Water Play Activities for Babies and Toddlers

There’s something oddly calming about a simple act of splashing water everywhere, isn’t it? For kids, water play activities present the perfect opportunity to actively explore with all their senses, enhance fine and gross motor skills, and have fun while doing so. Babies can start playing with water right out of the womb. As they grow older and consequently, develop better hand-eye coordination, you can introduce them to a whole new bunch of engaging water play activities involving STEM toys, water guns, sprinklers, sponges, etc. If you are looking for water play ideas that are a perfect combination of learning and entertainment, you have landed on just the right page. Here are 8 wicked good water play activities kids won’t be able to stop playing – Water Relay Race How about kicking off the list with something the whole family can enjoy? Relay races are fun and…

Kids Activities

Easy Ways to Keep Your Toddler Entertained

We all have those days where our to-do list seems a mile long yet we have an adorable toddler who wants all of our attention! While it is obvious that you cannot be in two places at once, that does not mean all hope is lost. Toddlers are naturally curious and active, ready to explore the world around them. This is great for development but not so great when you have a sink full of dishes or mountains of laundry to fold and put away! Here are some easy ways to keep your toddler entertained while you knock out that list. When you are trying to get chores done inside, it is easy to keep your toddler in the same room with you by simply blocking the doorway with a baby gate. Okay, this keeps them in the room but how to entertain them? Toddlers love to think they…

Kids Activities

How to Entertain Toddlers – A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Having a toddler means you know all about a fussy child. Because this is the age when children get distracted very easily and tend to have tantrums the most. It’s important for the parents of a toddler to know how to keep him entertained so they don’t start throwing bad tantrums too often. Here we have got 20 ways to keep your little love entertained throughout the day. Try them and you are gonna get a happier version of your own child. 1. Play Taste Test with Your Kids Get your inner chef in action. Make different food items for your children and let your kids be the judge. They will love the taste testing game. Meanwhile, you can take care of your toddler’s health by making nutritious food. Try simple vegetables and fruits that are good for children. That way your kid’s required diet will be achieved without…

Kids Activities

Camping Must Haves To Entertain and Protect Your Little Ones

Are you planning an exciting camping adventure in the great outdoors this year while bringing along your younger children? Do you find yourself asking the question, “Where do I begin when planning for safety and entertainment for my kids?” The idea of camping with little ones is something many parents may dream of, but may not necessarily know how to prepare properly for. Keeping your little ones safe and happily entertained is a critical component to maintaining your peaceful enjoyment of the trip when exploring nature’s beauty and the various elements that come with it. Here is an arrangement of useful things to bring along to help with entertainment, sleeping comfortably, insects, and just plain having fun while camping with your infant, toddler, or young children. Infants and Toddlers Infants and younger toddlers require safe, teething-friendly toys and gear to bring along. You’ve got to keep in mind that a…

DIY

Toddler Birthday Parties That Rock His World

Get ready to pull out the snacks and gear up for a fabulous time! Who’s ready to get creative and make a fun-loving birthday party that your toddler is sure to enjoy? We will go over a checklist of steps that will help you ensure your little one and their friends are having the time of their lives! We’ll also mention a few ways to make sure mom and dad are hanging in there and having some fun throughout the process as well. Let’s get our supply list in order and get ready to rumble with the toddlers! Starting off on the right foot is important when it comes to party planning, especially when dealing with a bunch of energetic toddlers with short attention spans! Try following this list of suggested items to purchase, or tasks to complete, and you will find planning a toddler birthday or any party is…

DIY

Christmas Cookie Roundup – Festive & Fun Christmas Cookies

These fun and festive Christmas cookies are a delicious way to get everyone in the holiday spirit this year. These cookies are cute, easy to make, and super tasty. These holiday cookies are also a fun way to get the kids and the family involved with holiday baking. As everyone gathers in the kitchen to create and decorate their favorite Christmas cookies, just think of how many memories will be made! These cute Christmas cookies are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or just to enjoy as a sweet treat throughout the day during the holidays and festivities. Don’t forget to leave some out for Santa! 1. Christmas Wreath Cookies These Christmas wreath cookies are shaped and decorated like a beautiful red and green Christmas wreath. 2. Sour Cream Sugar Cookies Simple and delicious, these easy to make sugar cookies are cut out into holiday shapes and decorated with a…

Kids Activities

Gifts for Kids Who Love to Help in the Kitchen

Having kids who love to cook is a blessing. If you start teaching them while they’re young, by the time they are teenagers, they’ll be comfortable enough in the kitchen to be cooking for themselves on a regular basis. Part of helping grow their confidence is making sure they have their own supplies to use for their cooking adventures. Working side by side with you is easier when they have their own tools to use. If you are looking for holiday gifts for kids who love to cook, then you’ve come to just the right place! I absolutely adore having kids in the kitchen. In fact, I put a list together of some great gifts for kids who love to cook. Super Foods for Super Kids Cookbook – One of the best parts of cooking with kids is the opportunity to get them to try healthy foods. Just like with…

Holiday Fun

Toddler Christmas Gift Guide

I love having toddlers around at the holidays. It’s like this time of year was tailor-made just for them. Those wide-eyed looks on Christmas morning, the excitement on the days leading up to that magical morning, and the screams of joy as they unwrap their presents just make me so happy. I love shopping for gifts for preschoolers as much as I love seeing them experience the holiday. However, I know that not everyone finds buying Christmas gifts for preschoolers as easy as I do, so I’ve put together this gift guide to make it easier for you! Whenever I’m shopping for Christmas gifts for preschoolers, I like including both toys that help them learn and toys that are just pure fun. For toddlers, play is work. Whether it’s imitation play, playing with others, imaginative play, or simply engaging their brain in some kind of stimulating activity, participating in play…