Toddler Playtime with Scarves
Having a good time together helps make your relationship with your child stronger. Be silly—you can wear a scarf as a hat or do funny dances. Take turns. Make mistakes together. And laugh a lot!
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Toddler
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
- Materials
- Scarves, paper towels, pillow cases, small hand towels
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your toddler in playtime with scarves!
Get ready
Clear some space on the floor or go outside. Move anything that might get in the way while playing. Wave a scarf in front of your child and say, “Let’s play!”
Try this!
Copy me
Wave one scarf over your head. Invite your child to copy you with another scarf. Say, “Wave your scarf up high!” Put your scarf on your head like a hat. Let them copy you again. Do one movement at a time. Then let your child be the leader—and you copy them!
Freeze dance
Say, “Let’s dance!” Sing a song or play music on your phone. Then stop the music and say, “Freeze! Stop dancing and stay still!” Try again. It may take a few times for your child to understand how the game works.
Get it!
Hold a scarf in one hand. As you move the scarf around, say, “Can you catch it?” Wave the scarf up and down. Swish it back and forth. Go fast. Go slow. Let them catch the scarf, sometimes. Other times, keep moving it just out of their reach.
Safety tip!Do not wrap or tie scarves tightly around people. That can hurt!
Sometimes it helps to set some clear rules for playing together. “Ouch! That hurts. Please dve o not pull on my scarf.” You might have to remind your child a few times.
While you play…
Watch carefully. How does your child move with the scarves? Do they dance quickly or slowly? Do they copy your actions? Or do they try new ones of their own? Your child learns a lot by watching you—and you can learn from watching them too!
Practice together. Being a good leader is an important part of playing and working together. Invite your child to lead. During freeze dance, say, “This time you stop the music. Then we will both freeze.” And let them control the music.
Say, “Yay!” What do you love about what your child did? Tell them. “I liked the way you jumped with the scarf.” “I loved the way you waited for your turn to dance!”
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