Use small or large box to make a cube for whatever you want to teach your child (numbers, abcs, shapes, colors etc). Apply to each side of the cube what you are trying to teach. You can play games like bring me something that color or shape or clap that many times for number etc. You have the child throw the cube in the air (they real like that part) then you make a simple game for them to learn whatever you are trying to teach them.

Twister for little ones

You can make a smaller version of twister by cutting out different color circles. Adapt the game to your child's ability. Can work on left and right and colors.

Tape Shapes

    * Masking tape or colorful tape
    * Box to make a shape cube (diaper box)

Make several different shapes on the ground. Make a Shape Cube with the same shapes on it as you have taped on the ground. Throw the Shape Cube into the air and when it lands, have your child move to the same shape as is displayed on the top of the cube.

You can use this to work on shapes and colors.

Pocket Matching

    * fabric in various different patterns and colors
    * Scissors
    * Poster board
    * Glue

Cut pockets from each piece of material and glue the pockets to a large piece of poster board, leaving the top of the pocket open. Cut rectangles that will fit in the pockets. (These will be the handkerchiefs.) Your toddler will have fun matching the handkerchiefs to the pockets. You can teach things like stripes, polka dots, zigzag.. etc
 

Paper Plate Numbers

    *  30 small paper plates
    * Black marker
    * Stickers or dots

Make up a matching set of paper plates with numbers from one to ten. One set with the numeral, one set with the word, and one set with dots or other markers.
You can have play all sorts of matching and learning games with these.
 

Short and Tall

    * Paper towel rolls
    * Scissors

Cut paper towel rolls into several different sizes. Have your child to stand the rolls up in order from shortest to tallest.
 

Hit the Target

    * Variety of hand-sized sponges
    * Bucket of water
    * Chalk

   1. Draw a target on outdoor pavement.
   2. Soak the sponges in the bucket of water and toss them into the center of the target.

They will love this game!

Shadow Tracing

    * chalk

Go outside with your child on a sunny day. If your child will stand still long enough, trace his shadow on the sidewalk or driveway. Have him change positions, then trace his shadow again. Make several tracings, then see if your child can fit his shadow back inside the tracings.

For a fun alternative, trace his shadow on a big sheet of paper. Let him finger paint his shadow or color it with crayons or markers.

Rope Games

    * Long rope

   1. Lay a long rope in a zigzag pattern in the grass or on your deck.
   2. See if your child can walk on the rope.
   3. Lay the rope in a straight line like a tightrope and have your child hold out his arms to balance himself as he walks.
   4. With the rope still lying straight, ask your child to think of how many ways he can go over it: walk across it, hop over it (on one or two feet), jump across it, crawl across it, or any other way they think of.

Wet Footprints - fun activity to learn about length of stride and evaporation

    * Brown paper shopping bags
    * Shallow pan of water


   1. Cut the paper bags at the seam so that they can be spread out flat.
   2. Step into the water with bare feet and walk across the paper bag, leaving footprints.
   3. Watch as they evaporate and disappear.

    * Do this activity on the pavement on a warm (but not too hot) day and compare the stride of walking to running.
    * Repeat the activity making hand prints.
    * Try to cover the entire page before the prints evaporate.

Go to an interactive fountain and watch your toddler run through the fountains with the other children.

Bubbles is always fun.

Flat cake pan
water
cup of liquid dish detergent
4 tablespoons of glycerin
You can add food coloring to make it interesting

You can make a large wand by bending a coat hanger and duct taping any rough edges.
Very the sizes of bubbles by making different wands
Use things like containers berries come in to make bubbles.

Now that spring is here!

Dirt and Mud play

    * Patch of dirt
    * Spoon or small trowel
    * Water
    * Small stick

   1. Strip your toddler down to a diaper.
   2. Find some dirt (place you don't mind them digging), begin digging, using the trowel, spoon, or stick.
   3. Add a small amount of water and model mixing it together with the hands.

    * Add a bucket to spoon dirt and mud into.
    * Add plastic little people or animals.
    * Add sand to change the texture.
   

The problem I have is the way different people interact with my grandson. If I am able to discipline him and the parents do not. If I do not give him candy, and daddy does. It seems everyone competes for his love instead of doing what is best for the child. How do you deal with disciplining a child when others do not?

Well being 50 and taking care of my grandchildren, I would highly recommend having children young. It is very tiring! I had my daughter when I was 25 and she is done with college, her masters and making me grandchildren. My friends from college still have kids in high school because they waited so late. Now, I am still young enough to enjoy my grandchildren. Barely    !