Look at the post I had. Kids love to hold character pieces that they know - Toy Story, Sesame Street, and older boys love the action figures, dinosaurs, Matchbox. Can easily get books to read to him and early reading books that he can later read himself. We had finger puppets (easy to misplace), but I ordered Target online hand puppets 6 pieces, and it is for toddlers boys and girls 2+. I ordered Monday and expected to be here on the 19th.
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Thank you! I picked the hand puppet rather than finger puppets.
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Washable art supplies–crayons, felt pens, markers, etc. They even make art supplies that can be used at bathtime and wash off. Paint with water is another fun activity.
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Another good toy/craft item at 2.5 and up is playdoh. With some supervision if under age 3. The manipulating the dough is an “active” activity and also excellent for development of fine motor skills. And for anyone who doesn’t like the mess of playdoh I say…I’ll give you a break for carpeted areas…but otherwise use it outside, or have a broom handy and it can be cleaned up quickly!
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One can even MAKE playdough or similar (though I never have). I agree that outdoors and away from any carpeting is a good place for “messy” activities.
Kids love waterplay, whether it’s a small (inflatable or firm) pool, cups with basins that can be filled & emptied, etc. Water play is another great outdoor activity, especially excellent for warm/hot days.
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I actually did make playdough with GS’s dad (DS16) when he was about 6yo. I told him, “this is going to be a potchke. I’m allowed to use bad words without you repeating them” and then it wasn’t so bad. He picked yellow and the dye kind of got into everything after the fact, I remember.
I totally forgot about paint with water! I’ll get that. I will also get markers that DIL will like more. I already got crayons for their place. Late November in Massachusetts will be not so conducive to outdoor water play, but he does like pouring and “pour! mine!” was an early sentence…
If it’s late November and you celebrate any holiday, you can make holiday decorations together. Washable art supplies are really easier on everyone—stains are much less if a worry but you have to remind the young artist these are special supplies that wash out and many don’t.
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I use play doh on a silpat on the kitchen table with 4 year old grandson. It sort of helps the play doh stay in a single area.
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I had two of my grandsons for three nights this past weekend. I took out some toddler scissors and some construction paper that I had from when my kids were young. The scissors kept them occupied for three hours. They were obsessed with cutting.
I also have dot paints and tempera markers that are easy for small hands.
I don’t have Magnatiles at my house but I am considering getting some. One of the other grandchildren love them.
I’m also surprised at how they come back to toys that I thought they had outgrew and enjoy them again. This weekend that was a cloth Melissa and Doug shape sorter. Both kids enjoyed playing with it and the 4 year old liked telling us what each shape was called.
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The hand puppet order came, and it looks like it is a winner. I think the kids will get a lot of play out of them.
When I am at their home in Dec, I will try to round up the finger puppets and put them in a small plastic box.
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I ordered a puppy hand puppet. It kind of looks like Spot (from “where’s Spot”) and I have a thought of using it with the book. Thank you guys for the suggestions!
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Apparently GS ( 15 months) loves the puppet shows at daycare, so I’m planning to buy the Melissa and Doug puppet theater as a joint Christmas gift for him and GD ( age 4). She loves to entertain so it’s a good way for the two of them to play together.
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Re: play doh and messy art projects. I bought a large Table Tykes mat after seeing one on Shark Tank. It stays put and has a lip so things don roll off the table (and also protects the table edge). Awesome product.
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I think a puppet theater is a great present.
If anyone wants a cheaper idea (or one that doesn’t take up floor space), you can make a puppet ‘curtain’ by taking a tension curtain rod to go across a doorway and hanging a panel you have made with a window. It can be fancy if you sew (sew a sleeve to put the curtain rod through; cut out a window child height from the floor) or you can make it out of felt and glue the sleeve pocket. Decorate away with their names, characters, velcro letters for the name of the show… google ‘puppet theater curtain’ for ideas (or to buy one).
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Making a puppet theatre is a great idea, but I don’t do any sort of crafting. Period. Not my skill set.
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We had a folding cardboard one from Ikea that the kids loved. Just searched and didn’t see that, but did see a pop-up one. You didn’t ask for suggestions, but gave me a good idea for my daughter’s little house 
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Melissa and Doug sent me an email today- 30% off site wise. I took advantage and ordered the puppet theater as well as some puppets.
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How did you get the coupon?
I got it by email.
Try EXCLUSIVE30OCT
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I ordered whole bunch stuff for my GDs and used the code. It worked. Thank you.
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