Making Memories with a Toddler

We all have memories of various adventures with our parents growing up. It's not always easy making fun memories with all of the life responsibilities that we all have, but when we do get the time to intentionally make memories with our kids, there are a few things we can do to make those memories lasting!

It didn't take long for us to realize that we really love traveling with a kid. Sure, it's hard when that kid wakes up at 5:30 AM ready to get the day started. But taking kids out of their normal element can sometimes be such a nice change of pace for the family.

This past weekend we took a quick overnight trip to a small town called Strawberry. The town itself was less eventful than we expected, but getting to explore the outdoors and enjoy some quality family time was just what we needed.

I love when we are able to just sit back and watch Greyson, our toddler, explore. He loves getting his hands dirty playing in the rocks or feeling the grass. We swear he is happiest when he's outside and I don't think I can blame him living in a state as pretty as Arizona.

While we don't usually start the day thinking "I want to make memories today with my toddler" there are definitely some things that can help make memories throughout your days, whether they're the ordinary days at home or the adventures outside.

Let Them Explore

As adults, it's so easy for us to discount a location and not see adventure. I've seen Greyson enjoy things as simple as a paper straw before, so taking him outdoors or creating a fort inside must feel like the biggest adventure in the world to him. Letting toddlers use their imaginations and explore their areas is so important for their development!

Let Them Get Dirty

Let me start by saying I am NOT a germophobe at all, so this one is easy for me. But sometimes, kids just have to get dirty. That's what laundry and bath time is for! Letting kids get their hands dirty is great for sensory experiences for toddlers.

Let Them Know You're Near

There is a really fine line between being a hover parent and making sure your toddler knows you're close by if he/she needs help. Finding that balance is difficult sometimes, but allowing your kids to learn and explore away from a parent can stretch their imaginations and help them grow into more creative minds.

Bond Over Snack Time

Before we got on the road, we absolutely had to stop at Walmart to grab a few of our favorite snacks. Some of our favorite memories from the trip were the simple, quiet ones like Greyson trying to feed the birds or sitting on a rock and enjoying a snack with Daddy. Greyson's favorite game is to pretend like he's going to give you a Cheerio and then he takes the bite for you and scarfs it down.

We all got a huge kick out of this little game and I am so thankful to have pictures of that big 'ole smile.

Document the Memories

I'm a huge advocate of making sure we aren't letting our phones get in the way of parenting, but having a phone (or camera) around to capture these little moments with a toddler is essential. These are precious moments that fly by so quickly, so having photos and videos to look back on are a must.

What is your favorite way to make memories with your kiddos?