I know this is an old topic but I would love to hear any additional comments that people may have.

I have a 14 month old charge and am always looking for new activities to introduce him to. We try to do at least one activity a day and I like to give him variety.

Right now some of the things that we do are:
finger painting
sensory play with jello
coloring with extra-thick crayons
blowing bubbles
play-doh (a favorite of his!)
putting some paint on paper and putting it in a ziploc bag (mess-free painting!)
sensory nature walks (going on long walks and touching and naming everything that we come across)

Things I want to try:
homemade bath crayons (http://pinterest.com/pin/199636195953489946/)
discovery bottles (http://pinterest.com/pin/199636195953471508/)
giant bubbles (pinterest.com/dawnthomas5/kids-crafts-activities-to-do/)
add food coloring to shaving cream and let play in bathtub
sensory bins (with rice, pine cones, pasta, cotton balls, etc)
put a dozen glow sticks in the bathtub and turn the lights off
Around Easter time I plan on doing Easter egg searches and also putting little surprises (not candy) into the eggs and letting him open and explore, will also supply an egg carton to let him put eggs in and out of

I pride myself on being a very active nanny and would love to hear how other nannies and mothers fill their day up with 12-18 month olds!

bump!

These are all great suggestions, thank you so much. Can't wait to try some of these with my little guy.

Create different sensory bins ... You can use dried corn, beans, rice, pine comes, cotton balls, dried pastalet the child explore with their hands, use measuring cups and spoons to fill bowls or just transfer. You can hide small items in it for the child to find. Also cut holes in a shoe box and have the child push the object through the hole. Relatively mess free, great for fine motor skills and provides hours of entertainment.

Line a can (like a coffee can with paper. Cover marbles in paint. Put the lid on the pan and let your charge shake it, roll it, etc. Take out the paper for the finished product.

Fingerpainting

Painting with different types of brushes (Alex brand has "funky brushes" which are fun). Paint on butcher paper or posterboard for more room.

Tissue paper to rip and crumple. Glue on paper.

Painting with water/Kool Aid.

When its hot out again - "paint" with water outside. Spray bottles are also fun (and you can do that in the snow with colored water).

Its about the process, not the product. Its also easier to let them do projects in a diaper and then run them right up to the bath afterwards.

Homemade play doh is always a hit (And non toxic!). My charge loves to do tea parties with her stuffed animals, or outdoor picnics. Chasing bubbles, laundry basket basketball. Hide some of his toys or stuffed animals and send him on a treasure hunt. For more physical games I got some ideas from a toddler gyboree book. We also do contact paper art, where I give her stickers, felt pieces, tissue paper, etc. to stick to the contact paper.

You could make a felt storyboard. Cover a piece of cardboard with felt. Cut out people, buildings, vehicles, animals, trees, roads, trains, clouds, etc in different colors in felt. You can both come up with stories as he picks the pieces to put up.

Sponge painting is another option. Just cut sponges into different shapes and use washable paint on paper.

You can also make edible finger pain if you're worried about him eating it. Or if we're in a pinch I just add a little food coloring to vanilla yogurt.

One of my favorite activities is shaving cream. Get some unscented from the drug store, put a bunch in a bowl and let them go at it. My youngest charge LOVES this.

Finger paint! If your LO doesn't like to get messy, try this way- http://hippiehousewife.blogspot.com/2012/01/mess-free-finger-painting.html?m=1

Maybe try 3d foam stickers??

Have you tried markers yet? He may be able to get a few lines out

Looking for suggestions of arts and crafts projects to do with my 16 month old charge. I'd like to be able to get him to do more than aqua doodle, etc. We've tried stickers which he really loves but I would love to hear some ideas from my fellow nannies out there. Thanks ahead of time.