Puppet gloves: Reenact your favorite storybook or song. Using a glove, construction paper, glue, markers, yarn (etc.) make a face (from the story/song) for each finger. Your child will love acting out their favorite story/song.

Handprint: Make a handprint (or footprint) of your child using Plaster of Paris. When dries, let them paint it. Hang it up or give it to someone special.

Valentine’s Day Heart: Cut a large heart out of paper. Punch holes out along the edge of the heart. Let your child lace the heart with ribbon or string. Then, in the center of the heart make a picture for someone you love.

Modern art: Take several tubes of colored glue (any craft store) and drizzle one at a time onto a piece of paper. Let dry and hang up your masterpiece. (more…)

Entertaining your baby doesn’t have to be expensive or require batteries. Here are a few ideas for simple and fun activities for Clever Parents and their babies.

1. Edible Art. Place a large piece of wax paper in front of your toddler. Put some chocolate syrup or pudding on the wax paper. Allow her to create designs (letters or numbers) while enjoying a special treat. If you let it dry, you can hang the masterpiece.

2. Peek-a-boo. Place a small toy under a blanket and play peek-a-boo. Your baby will love watching it disappear.

3. Make a megaphone. Use an empty paper towel roll and have your toddler decorate it. She will love speaking through this homemade megaphone.

1. String Cheerios or Friutloops on a piece of string/yarn to make a bracelet/necklace.
2. On a special outing, like the beach, pick up beautiful seashells and other beach things and place them in a bag.  Mark the bag with the place and date and add it to a keepsake box.  You can reminisce about these things on a rainy day.
3. Grab a blanket and lie on your back to watch the clouds, birds and planes go by.
4. Plan a garden together using small pot (herb or flowers).  You can place them on the porch or near an inside window.

1. Crayons
2. Markers
3. Paper
4. Finger Paints
5. Play Dough
6. Chalk
7. Books
8. Puzzles
9. Bubbles