Toddler Playtime with a Stuffed Animal
You show your child you care when you play with them, make them lunch, put a band-aid on for them, and say “I love you.” Your child notices your caring actions and practices them too.
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Toddler
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your toddler in playtime with stuffed animals!
Get ready
Clear some space on the floor and sit down with a stuffed animal. Smile at your child. Make the animal wave and say, “Bear wants to play!”
Try this!
Animal feelings
Ask the stuffed animal how it is feeling. “Bear is happy because we are going to the playground!” Act out different feelings together with your child and the stuffed animal. “Let’s be happy! Clap hands with Bear.” Try another feeling, like being sad or scared.
Play pretend
Invite your child to act out a familiar routine with a stuffed animal, like lunchtime or naptime. “Bear looks very sleepy. Can you help it get ready for bed?” Together, you and your child can give it a pretend bottle, read it a story, and tuck it into bed.
Hide and seek
Have your child cover their eyes with their hands (it’s okay if they peek!). Hide a stuffed animal with its head peeking out as a hint. “Where did Bear go?” When they find it, hide the stuffed animal again. Or let them hide it for you!
Sometimes your child might play a little rough with a stuffed animal. They might throw it or hit it. As long as they are not hurting themselves or anyone else, it’s okay to let them express their feelings.
While you play...
Watch carefully. Is your child giving the stuffed animal a cuddle? They might be feeling sad themselves. Are they playing a bit
rough? Your child might be feeling upset about something. Watch and ask, “Are you feeling sad? Do you need a hug?”
Practice together. Your child has lots of different feelings. Help them practice putting words and actions with those feelings. “Bear is jumping up and down. Is Bear excited about seeing grandpa?”
Say, “Yay!” “I like the way you are helping your stuffed animal brush its teeth!” Praise your child when they are helping or showing care to others—even stuffed animals!
Related Resources
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