If you are stuck and trying to find a way to entertain your toddler without TV – I GOT YOU!

Let’s first break down by watching tv isn’t the greatest option, specifically before 18 months. Before I share this info, I want to put out there that I totally understand the desire to put your child in front of a tv. Had a hard day? Need 5 seconds of alone time or a moment of silence? I get it! However, statistically speaking the more tv your baby watches, the harder your life will become in the long run – and that’s why I share! NO ONE wants more tantrums.
Let me explain.
When I am having a bad day, my go-to is my phone…shocking I know. I’m sure we all do it. I don’t scroll through my phone and process my emotions. I numb out with all the content, push down my feelings and move on. It’s not until either I’ve done this too much and explode or sit quietly without my phone that I can actually process my emotions.
The same is true for a baby but much MUCH harder. If a baby is having a bad day – they have no way of processing their emotions other than being close to mom. All they (usually) want is to feel safe and loved by their mom. BUT, slap a tv in front of a crying baby, and just like your adult self, their tiny, still growing brains will shut off – stuffing their emotions down because of the overwhelming amount of content. And just like us – their emotions will only get worse because they weren’t regulated – and now, on top of that, they have a sensory overload.
Again I will reiterate – parenting is hard. So, before 18 months, if you absolutely need to, give yourself a max 30-minute break to get as much as you can, done – BUT pick a low stimulating cartoon/ I recommend anything real life or a Disney Animal Kingdom type show!
Just keep in mind, the more you block the brain of its ability to cope and process emotions, the harder it will become to do that as they get older. Which then will cause more tantrums. Plus, you don’t want mental- sensory overloads!
Here are some sources to look back on about babies, toddlers, and child brain development and how tv affects it. Again, not links to shame – just some helpful resources!

http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/policy-briefs/infants-toddlers-and-television

https://kidshealth.org/MainLine/en/parents/screentime-baby-todd.html

Activities for a 12-18 month old:

Peeka Boo/Hide and Seek

This was Evas favorite game for sooo long! She loved playing it and she could stay still for an incredibly long time. She would stand right in front of me with her hands over her eyes while peaking through her hands. It’s the cutest thing ever. I loved this game because I could walk around cleaning/picking things up and say, “where’s Eva”? Then she would move her hands and I would “find her” and it would start over!

Naming Body Parts

If you don’t have the book “Where’s baby’s belly button” I highly recommend it! Eva knew many of her body parts, before she turned 1, because of this book. We continued learning and would even now sing the “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” song!

House Chores – Laundry, Dishes, etc.

House chores are a great way for Eva to help me get things done, while also spending time together! Plus, toddlers LOVE being helpers!

For laundry, I would gather up all the laundry that I wanted to do in a load and set it beside the laundry machine. (We have a front loader, but if you have a top loader, maybe use a kitchen helper or stool for this.) Once I set the laundry down I would ask her to get a shirt and throw it in. The process of this is INCREDIBLY SLOW…I didn’t always have patience. But she loved it! Then to add some extra time, she would sit in my lap and watch the laundry go around in circles. It was a sweet time of cuddling for me! 😊

Dishes are harder, haha, but I do what I can. I will ask her to put up things in the lower cabinets. As she tries to maneuver that one item – I get like 5 dishes put away! haha

Look Out the Window

Okay – now maybe with the last one and this one you might be thinking, “no way my child can sit still, that long, for this.” I would say, that’s okay! Every child is different and some are more on the go than others!

(As a side note – I will say that tv show choice will 1000% play a huge role in how much shorter your child attention span could become. Statistically speaking early tv and too much tv is linked to ADHD tendencies. The less stimulating/attention-grabbing, the better. Slower shows won’t speed up your child’s attention span as much as faster ones.)

This one was really fun for Eva on days we didn’t make it outside. She loved watching birds, squirrels, or planes!

Playground

An obvious choice! Get out of the house. I know it feels like a drag sometimes, but it is so good for your mental health! Sometimes we just need a change of perspective. We get to have fun and play with our children on a beautiful day! Soak it up ❤️

Take a Walk

And on those hard days when you need some peace – take a walk. I know not every child likes their stroller, but if your child is like mine, she will be quiet the entire time – which gives you a break! My daughter loves to observe, so she will soak the entire stroller ride in, while I process life, breathe, and zone out. Plus, she’s getting to get some fresh air and see new things!

Take Couch Cushions Off

If you’re also like me and don’t want to spend money on a nugget – take the couch cushions off! Not only is it fun, but it also helps their bodies learn to balance, step up, step off, jump, etc. There is so much physical learning in this one activity and it can be very exciting for them!

Independent Play

Independent play is so important for your child while also being so important for you! Here is a link to the advantages and how to get started!

We personally didn’t use a “strategy” to start. So don’t feel pressure to do it the “right way”! Give your child some space every once in a while, set them up for success with engaging toys, and watch their little brains grow and thrive! ❤️

Coloring/Painting/DIY activities

Any and all creative Pinterest ideas! I am not the mom that has all the Pinterest ideas. I may have 1 a week – if that! However, I try to be as creative as I can with coloring, painting, and cutting out boxes to make new games.

The thing with DIYs that aren’t my favorite is that you as a parent put so much effort into it when your child MAYBE plays with it for 10 minutes. I feel like that’s a waste…But I guess it depends on the child!

This can also include sensory activities – but instead of creating something inside, this could also be playing with grass, leaves, rocks outside!

Music/Dance Party

Wooden Instruments or play music and dance together!

Age Appropriate Toys

Age-appropriate toys are really important when wanting to keep a child engaged with a challenging but fun toy! We’ve used Lovevery a few times and have loved their kits! (not sponsored)

Facetime!

Facetime is the exception to the screentime rule. Since babies learn from interacting, Facetiming family members and letting them interact with your baby/toddler can be very helpful!

Reading

And of course, read read, and read! Reading is so much fun in our house and our daughter loves it! This is the last point, but it was our number 1 time passer. As our daughter has gotten older, reading has become less often, but she could read all day when she was younger! All the books we own here: Books

(This post is not sponsored. It does have some affiliate links that keep this blog running. By clicking and purchasing from my links I make a small commission. It in no way affects the original price of the product.)