The New Year, 2021, is around the corner. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has made 2020 challenging, that will not stop parents from celebrating New Year with their families.
This New Year’s celebrations will be different from last year’s, but you can still make memories with your toddler. With the increase of Covid-19 cases, the CDC recommends families to hold celebrations at home rather than outdoors. How then can you enjoy a New Year’s Day with your toddler while social distancing? Here are seven practical tips.
7 Make A Home Photo Booth
Who does not love playing dress-up? A photo booth is a toddler-friendly activity to do on New Year's Day. Use feather boas, cardboard mustaches, silly hats, wigs, and different costumes. Then get in the photo booth and snap pictures as a family. Not only will you have hilarious pictures to laugh at, but they will be great for hanging around the house.
Alternatively, you can take the fun a notch higher by holding a virtual party with your toddler's friends and play the home booth. Connecticut Children’s recommends three to four different costumes from each party for this activity. Although your toddler will not enjoy a close-up play activity with her friends, she will be excited to see her friends’ costumes. Ensure you take a screenshot when every party has dressed up to create New Year’s Day memories.
6 Dance To The Beat
Music and dance are part of celebrations, and New Year's is no different. Choose your toddler's favorite beats and play them on the first day of the New Year. Then ask your toddler to show his moves as you cheer on. You can also join the dancing to elevate your toddler's energy. Make sure you have a family member recording these special New Year's Memories.
Besides, you can do the same with a virtual party. Ask each parent to select music tracks for their toddlers and have a dancing competition. The competition could be between toddlers or families. Either way, the virtual parties present will enjoy a memorable New Year’s Day while social distancing.
5 Prepare A Good Luck Dish
Do you have a good luck dish? Why not make it with your toddler on the first day of 2021? Have your child with you in the kitchen as you prepare the ingredients. You could ask her to help you collect ingredients or stir a mixture. Have fun when in the kitchen and explain the recipe to your toddler. Although she may not grasp the recipe, she will feel part of the activity and enjoy it too! According to Good Housekeeping, having a good luck dish on the first day of the year could make the 12 months a fortune.
4 Make New Year’s Treats
Make New Year’s treats if you do not have a good luck dish. Holidays are never complete without food and treats, and New Year's Day is no different. You could try recipes that require you to bake, fry, freeze, stuff or decorate. Give room for your toddler to help with the recipe. Besides, it's new years and shouldn't all activities on the first day of the year count?
Alternatively, you could ask your relatives to prepare a New Year’s special treat then video chat on New Year's Day. Having a family connection on this day will help your toddler appreciate the gift of family despite the social distance.
3 Create Memories Using Ceramics
According to Greatist, you can make lasting mementos using ceramics on New Year’s Day. Decorate plates as a family using ceramic pens and paints. These pens and paints are less messy for your toddler and are available online. This social distancing activity will not only keep your toddler engaged but will also be memorable for years to come.
2 Have A Backdrop Challenge
This is a great virtual social distancing activity for your toddler. Ask your family or friends to create backdrops for their homes. This activity will demand creativity on your part and cooperation from your toddler. Since it will be a virtual party, a bright and oversized backdrop will do the trick. You could have your toddler help make paper cut-outs with the numbers 2021, hang curtains and balloons. Alternatively, you could choose a virtual backdrop too. Either way, keep your toddler engaged with the New Year backdrop challenge.
1 Play Board Games
Board games help toddlers develop their behavioral, cognitive, and gross motor skills. Your child can learn color matching skills, working as a team skill, and patience through board games. Therefore, incorporate a board game on New Year’s Day.
Sources: Connecticut Children’s Organization, Greatist, Good Housekeeping.