How to Entertain a Toddler without a Screen
It’s hard times waiting if you have to entertain a toddler. It can make or break a mama trying to cut down on screen time. Here’s some ideas!
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The Science of Screentime
Here’s the bad news, screen time has been studied a lot in children. Of
If your child is taking in too much media it can lead to poor sleep, obesity, effects on child development, and can effect the relationship you have with your child. So the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no media before 18 months. Video chatting (such as Skype) from 18-24 months. Then only 1 hour of high-quality screen time from 2-5 years. You can read more about that here.
So if you are not supposed to use any screen to help you with an unruly toddler, what are you supposed to do?! Here I come to save the day! I thought about this while waiting in a doctor’s office and came up with how to entertain a toddler without a screen. I have to confess I am guilty of giving my children screens when I am at my wit’s end, so coming up with this list helps me and you.
How to Entertain a Toddler
Here’s my list of what to do with your toddler when you need to entertain them.
- Books
Books are great for your child, they encourage language, hand-eye coordination, bonding, and numerous other ways. Have your child pick a little board book to pop in the diaper bag and go on your way. If they are small throw in a couple of them. Sensory books, lift-the-flap books, they all can entertain your toddler for longer than it takes to read them.
- Toys
Good old fashioned toys. Little People, My Little Pony, Fisher Price Stroller Toys, etc. All of them will entertain your toddler for at least a little while. Bring whatever they are into at the moment and it will go further.
- Purse or Diaper Bag
If you brought your purse or diaper bag but don’t have any toys you can always grab something out of your bag that isn’t a toy and use it as one. That spoon for on the go is a rocket ship! Or the wipes are a trampoline. Use your imagination and they will be entertained.
- Diaper Bag Play
Pull all of the stuff out and then put it back in, it’s a game only a toddler could love!
- Snacks
If your toddler is close to having a tantrum it is probably because they are hungry. I talk about this in my how to shop with a toddler like a boss. Bring out the gummies, granola bars, or puffs. It’s time for some satisfying snacking!
- Talk to the People Around
A lot of times parents don’t think about all the people around them that will entertain your children. Talk to the secretary she will ooo and aww over your child and they will be their little angelic, smiley little selves. They won’t even know how much of a toddler they can actually be!
- Take a Walk
Depending on where you are and how long you know your wait is going to be, taking a walk with your little one might be the answer. Let them run in a safe space and let yourself get a little calmer about the wait.
- Pictures
Point to the pictures that are in a magazine or hanging in a waiting room. Name what is on them, their color, and what shape they are. It’s educational and entertaining.
- Sing Songs
All kids like to sing along, even if they don’t they usually like to hear their mom sing. Sing your child’s favorite song and have them try to sing along too. If there are a lot of people in the room with you, just adjust your singing volume to low. If they are annoyed by you singing how annoyed would they be with a screaming toddler?!
- Out to the Car
Sometimes your little one is just overwhelmed and doesn’t have the patience for waiting. Take them out to the car to scream and meltdown to their little hearts content. After all they are tiny humans that have no control of their lives. They deserve to have a bad day. When they are done take them back in, and hopefully the wait will be over.
Waiting is hard…
These are the ways I help my toddler with waiting. My oldest understands what waiting is and will talk about how waiting is hard. For toddlers though, the concept is too abstract as they don’t have a real grasp on time. So help pass the minutes with these ideas and lose the screens.
If you have any other ideas let me know in the comments below. If you try any of my ideas also let me know. Do you have a disaster story about waiting with your toddler? Tell me about that too.
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Kirsta
Hi! I am a wife, mommy of 2 girls, a blogger, and a nurse. My daughter has special needs and I have a passion for mental health. So, the drama is a daily occurrence for this mama. Come along for the ride!
