Playtime Learning with Siblings

Simple ideas for encouraging playtime learning with siblings

I am a blog ambassador for Lakeshore and am compensated for my work. I received product free of charge, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

As a mom to two toddlers, I’m constantly looking for activities my kids can do together. This is no easy task. A three year old plays very differently than a 19 month old. Not only are their skill levels different but their attention spans are too. Finding ways for them to learn and play together is the dream goal for me.

When I’m looking at toys or activities for my toddlers, my first question is “Who is this right for?” If the answer is BOTH kids, then I know I’ve found a winner.

Finding the right toys for sibling play is crucial

Lakeshore generously sent over three toys that were perfect for both my toddlers to play with. Finding a toy that suits both a 3 year old and a 19 month old is no small task!

Featured in this post:

• What’s Inside? Soft Feely Box
• Big Knob Learning Puzzle Set
• See-Inside Sensory Blocks

Lakeshore toys are amazing to have around the house because they are quality, well-designed, and educational. Teachers created them and kids love them – my two kids included! They have longevity and there’s much to them.

Guessing game that builds game play skills

This sensory activity is perfect for toddlers to share. The What’s Inside? Soft Feely Box comes with 10 soft sensory objects that hide perfectly inside. My kids are obsessed with hiding these objects for each other, putting their hand in the box, and feeling around to make a guess at what might be inside.

My 3 year old has more language skills for this game, but he’s teaching little sister how to make guesses. Even though she can’t verbalize her thoughts, they still sit together passing this cube back and forth. It’s perfect for both of them – they’re helping each other learn and grow.

What they’re learning:

• How to take turns
• Vocabulary skills
• Game play skills

Try puzzles to encourage working together

Another great way to encourage sibling growth and play is by doing puzzles together. This Big Knob Learning Puzzle Set is just right for both my toddlers. For my son, he’s learning number and shape skills as well as color word recognition. My daughter is learning how to visually discriminate puzzle pieces and problem solve.

Together, we dumped out all three puzzles from this set and together they worked to sort the puzzles back into the right places. Older brother was so helpful and kind in showing sister how to do puzzles. This was a successful playtime learning adventure for both of them.

What they’re learning:

• Sharing
• Working as a team
• Math skills and strategies

Building as a way to grow together

Often times, building together becomes a difficult activity for a toddler who wants to build vs a toddler who wants to tear down. That’s why these See-Inside Sensory Blocks are perfect to use. The 12 cubes are filled with small balls and are baby safe. They are easy for small hands to build with and fun to listen to as they tumble down.

Using these blocks, my 19 month old began making some of her first towers! Big brother helped with the growing building and together they laughed at the sound the blocks made when the tower tipped.

What they’re learning:

• Working together
• Spatial awareness
• Problem solving

Getting creative together at Lakeshore

Our final playtime learning option was the Free Crafts for Kids event held at Lakeshore stores nationwide. These Saturday events are the perfect chance to let siblings get creative together. These crafts are designed for ages 3 and up, so my 19 month old was given a crucial assist from Daddy and had a great time!

At the Free Crafts for Kids event we visited, the kids got to make a Make a Face! Hand Mirror. Lakeshore provides all the supplies and a wonderful teacher who preps and leads the activity. These activities are drop-in style and take place from 11 am to 3 pm every Saturday at Lakeshore stores across the country. Each Saturday is a different free craft to make!

My pair loved creating their hand mirrors and learning more about how faces show emotions. Learning about expressing, showing, and understanding emotions is an important social skill for toddlers.

Big Brother was so excited to share his final product with Little Sister, and both were even more excited to play and learn inside a Lakeshore store with all the fun products to try.

What they’re learning:

• Understanding emotions
• Direction following
• Completing a task from start to finish

Playtime learning with siblings is important to foster

The relationship between siblings and learning is an important one to nurture. Siblings have a powerful ability to teach each other and are the first/best option for learning social skills (like sharing and taking turns). Having some key toys and activities for playtime learning is crucial.

Lakeshore has graciously offered the Busy Toddler community a 20% off coupon code for any one single, nonsale item. Click here to redeem that coupon!  To learn more about Lakeshore, find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.