Is anyone else excited that it's February?!  We've been enjoying some Valentine's Day toddler activities around here lately that I hope you'll like too. I find it fun to incorporate seasonal and holiday themed activities into our play routine.  It helps keeps things new and interesting for both James Robert and myself plus it feels festive.  I love that the toddler stage provides more understanding around what we're doing-- but we're definitely still in the stage that activities need to be quick and easy!

Here are 5 activities for you and your toddler to enjoy that are perfect for Valentines' Day (plus don't miss our play dough recipe at the end of the post):


1) Banner from felt cutouts.  We went to the dollar store and bought felt heart cutouts and then strung them on ribbon we have at home.  It helped him practice his fine motor skills and he was tickled with the result that he were able to display. This could easily be made from felt you have at home already if you do have some.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 cups sugar divided
1 cup fresh cranberries
(easily double this recipe for more!)

Instructions:
1) Make a simple syrup with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar (lightly simmer them together until sugar dissolves taking care to not boil or over heat the mixture)
2) Pour the syrup mixture over the cranberries in a bowl and let them soak until they reach room temperature
3)Once room temp, cover and refrigerate overnight
4) Remove cranberries from syrup with a slotted spoon (you can reserve the liquid to sweeten other drinks)
5) Pat the cranberries dry; they should be slightly tacky
6) Roll cranberries in a bowl of sugar.  I found it most successful to do two or three at a time to get an even coat
7) Let the cranberries in sugar set on a wire rack or silpat for at least an hour, then enjoy!