Heinz - Tinytums

Time together

“I think it’s so important for dads to share some time alone with their babies. That’s why I really enjoyed putting Milly to bed. It was a great chance for me to be on my own with her and spend some special bonding moments together. Doing things with Milly on my own, such as changing her nappy, or cuddling her to sleep also gave me more confidence as a father. And it gave my wife some time to herself to enjoy a bit of a break.”
Pete, dad to Milly, aged 12 months

Your baby's well on her way to being a toddler now and enjoys a wide range of activities. The only problem is - can you keep up? As a Dad you’ll want to be involved in caring for your toddler, but as well as the jobs to be done, top of the list should be fun! Here’s a few ideas for Dad and toddler to do together.

Sort shapes
Shape sorters provide an absorbing challenge for your toddler.

Play with puzzles
Your toddler is ready for their first puzzles - the kind with tiny handles for lifting out the pieces.

Let them help
They’ll love to help you unpack the shopping and ‘help’ you put everything away in the cupboards. But give them the chance and they’ll love to unpack your cupboards too!

Go for a swim
Find a learner pool if you can. The water's warmer and your toddler can relax and have fun. Let them develop confidence in the water at their own pace.

Draw some pictures
Non-toxic crayons are the medium of choice for your budding artist. Painting with hands and fingers is good too, but be prepared for plenty of mess.

Play football
Take a ball whenever you go to the park - or get out in the garden for a kick-about.

Go for a ride
At about 18 months, your toddler is ready for their first, simple ride-on toy.

Get on the phone
Your baby learns by copying you. A toy phone will give them a chance to develop their rapidly evolving speech skills.

Get up and dance
At this age little kids love to move to music. Watch in horror as echoes of your own or your partner's dance styles emerge!

Play with sand
Sand is great for poking, digging, pouring. Plastic sand trays or tables make sand play an option for even the smallest outside space.