As Easter is fast approaching I have pinned so many cute toddler art, craft, and learning projects to do with my son.
My motivation is dwindling to get all them done though as Easter is just around the corner.
I don’t have some of the supplies or I am not sure how to get my toddler to participate willingly.
If you’re facing this struggle too then you have come to the right place.
The list below contains ways to embed learning into the Easter activities that are ALREADY taking place in your house.
No need for extra materials, cotton balls, or glue…Just your Easter traditions and some mindful parenting!
This list contains 11 strategies that support all areas of development including: Communication, Cognition, Social Emotional, Motor, and self help!
I have even sorted them out for you so if you are just working on increasing your child’s vocabulary then just peek at the ones under communication.
Many of the activities work on multiple areas of development.
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Communication Skills
Target new words with the holiday approaching: Basket, Bunny, Chick, Fuzzy, Egg-are just a few examples. Pick three words that you want your child to use during Easter season and focus on those. Pick target words that are meaningful to you and your family.
Label the colors of the Easter Eggs: This is a great way to get your little one to start saying two-word phrases (click here for more ideas on how to boost your toddler’s vocabulary.) If they have mastered the word “egg” then simply add the word “red” in front of it.
Teach them a new Easter song: Singing is one of the best ways to increase language because of the repetition that is already built-in. Don’t have an Easter favorite? Then get creative and make one up with your little one.
Learn some new animal sounds: If your little one doesn’t have words yet this is a great place to start.
Imitating animal sounds is easier than imitating words so it is perfect for beginners!
What does a bunny say? What does a chick say?
Children are often times motivated to imitate these animal sounds because they are just fun to say!
Cognitive Skills
Explore Easter books: If you have an Easter book than your are in luck! You can teach your child all about the holiday while getting in some early literacy practice. If not, head to your local library and pick one out! Here are a few of my Easter favorites.
Following Directions: During the Easter egg hunt ask them to “look under” or “look behind” to find an egg. See if your child can follow these simple directions. If they can, add on a second step to make it a bit more challenging.
Label sizes of the eggs: Introducing toddlers to the concept of “size” is a pre-academic skill that they will need when they get to preschool. It also grows their vocabulary as well by adding the words “big” and “little”.
Social Emotional Skills
Discuss emotions they may be feeling: Excited for the Easter bunny? Sad because they can’t have anymore candy?
Take a moment and label the emotions your little one is feeling throughout the holiday season. This will help them be able to identify their own emotions.
RELATED POST: Top Non-Candy Toddler Easter Basket Stuffers
Motor Skills
Open and close plastic Easter Eggs: This can be a rather tricky task for a little one (or an adult) so give them a little help at first by helping them hand over hand.
Once they start getting the hang of it use less help with your hands and instead guide them with your words until they become independent! Eggs (like these ones) would work just fine!
Teach them how to “hop like a bunny”: This takes a lot of coordination for your toddler!
Model what it looks like for them (the hops count on your Fitbit) and see if they can copy your movements.
You will both burn off some of those Easter candy calories and your child will learn how to watch and imitate which is a skill they need to learn just about anything.
Self Help Skills
Talk about the season of spring: Teach your child about the season of spring by explaining how the temperature is outside and what kind of clothes you should wear.
If you live in Minnesota this may mean a winter coat. If you live in Indiana this may mean a tank top! (We just moved across county and the dressing attire for “spring” is completely different.)
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.
10+ Easter Activities to do with Kids | Califf Creations
Friday 23rd of March 2018
[…] Parenting Expert to Mom has some great ideas that don’t include paint or glue. You can teach communication skills through an Easter song, or cognitive skills by reading and exploring Easter books, or just get silly practicing motor skills by hopping like a bunny! Check out more non-crafting learning opportunities here. […]
Ashlea
Wednesday 26th of April 2017
I will have to try these with my little one. He is trying to copy us talking so it would work great for him.
Stephanie Lee
Friday 14th of April 2017
These are all really great ideas! There are so many things we can teach the little during fun little festive activities. We're very much into repeating colors right now.
Kayla ONeill
Tuesday 18th of April 2017
That is great that your little one is learning colors...Easter is the perfect holiday for that!
babiestobookworms
Wednesday 5th of April 2017
These are such fantastic ideas! I will have to work on some of these with my daughter. She has really been enjoying opening the plastic Easter eggs.
Tina
Tuesday 4th of April 2017
I love all the fun learning tips! We do a lot of crafts around here, but I find myself waiting for my 2 yr old's naptime before dragging out the supplies. There are very few that go well. These are perfect alternatives!
Kayla ONeill
Tuesday 4th of April 2017
I admire you for your crafting! My little guy is just so wiggly still that they are not always too productive for us :)