5 Practical Life Activities Your Child Can Do Today

1.) Kitchen

One of the 5 practical life activities your young child can do today would be to help out in the kitchen. Small hand choppers (like this one) are perfect for small hands who are curious about what’s cooking – provide a small cutting board, bowl for scraps, and bowl for cut food. Cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, apples, and bananas are great starter chopping foods. Other practical activities could include;

– Spread condiments on bread

– Peel clementines, bananas, and grapefruits

– Use a peeler to peel veggies before chopping

– Juice citrus fruits

– Chop veggies

– Stir trail mix

– Measure ingredients

– Spread dough

2.) Laundry

Everyone can help with laundry. There are many actions within doing this chore that also support gross motor muscle function (lots of core work!) Your toddler can help you by;

– Carrying hampers

– Loading the washer

– Sort clothing (mom’s clothes, sister’s clothes, etc. OR by item shirts, pants,)

– Matching socks

– Making DIY laundry soap

– Hanging clothes to dry

3.) Yard Work

Raking, sweeping, watering plants, pulling weeds, and winding the garden hose build gross motor muscle strength and give children a chance to see “cause and effect” in person – “If I water this and put it in the sun, a new leaf appears the next day”. Other helpful activities are;

– Washing bikes

– “Painting” the driveway or fence with water

– Picking up sticks before mowing

– Filling bird feeders

– Making garden bed labels

4.) Shopping

Children who participate in food decisions are likely to be more engaged during mealtime. Letting your child help at the store rather than distract them as you shop can be very beneficial! Try making a “scavenger hunt” list out of healthy items on your family’s list. Maybe your child is the one that needs to stay in the cart more often than not – here’s how they can be involved;

– Organize the items in the cart by size or color or temperature

– Add prices of groceries up and find the totals

– Carrying bags inside

– Loading pantry and refrigerator with new food

– Folding grocery bags

5.) Bathroom

Self-care is a skill we often do not “teach” but weave into daily living. To make these tasks easier, more natural, and to encourage this type of practical skill we can give more independence to our young children in the restroom. Try a few of these out and see how your child’s abilities unfold;

– Loading toothbrush with toothpaste

– Brushing hair, picking hair bands, brushing other’s hair

– Putting dirty clothes in the hamper

– Changing toilet paper tube out

– Wiping bathtub dry

Independence can soar if you just prepare the child’s environment – having the proper furniture, materials, and tools can go a long way for a young child’s practical abilities!