Mothers are responsible for so much when their children are small. Most have to work at least part-time and pay the bills like the rent or mortgage, utilities and auto insurance. They want to take care of their children, and they also love spending time them. Simple activities that mothers and young children have fun doing together can make wonderful memories and provide a positive learning and bonding experience.

1. Cooking In the Kitchen

Toddlers have fun "helping" their mothers in the kitchen. As soon as they can hold a spoon they can be allowed to stir. Here are a few other things little hands can do:

• Peel onions
• Roll cookie dough into balls
• Set the table

2. Exploring Nature

If mothers put blankets out, babies can lie down beside their mothers and look up at trees and clouds. Toddlers like to walk around find and find pretty leaves, pebbles and sticks. The enthusiasm of the parent can encourage the children's interest in nature. Here are a few places in nature to take children:

• The backyard
• A park
• The beach

3. Finger Painting

As soon as children are old enough not to eat the paint, they can sit at the table with their mother and create finger painting masterpieces on sheets of plain paper. Other free-style art ideas for creative young minds are like the following:

• Coloring
• Watercolor painting
• Molding with clay or play dough

4. Making Cards and Crafts

Children use their imaginations, especially if their mother's face lights up at what they say and make. Mothers and children can make cards to send to grandparents and friends. Here are a few other simple crafts that that toddlers and parents can do:

• Glue eyes and other features on a sock or sack puppet
• Find leaves outside and glue them on a tin can for a pencil holder
• Paint rocks for paper weights

5. Playing Outdoors Together

Children are really happy when their mothers take time to play with them. The games and activities can be so uncomplicated, but children often develop best under such happy times. Being outdoors is healthful, invigorating and refreshing for mothers and children. Here are some things to do outside:

• Tumble, romp and swing at a playground
• Throw a ball
• Play with cars or dolls

6. Playing Indoors Together

Simple things can be the most fun and exciting. Children love to laugh and interact with their parents. Even babies like to play with little toys and tumble on the floor with their mommies. Examples of indoor activities for toddlers are the following:

• Dressing-up in their parent's old clothes
• Building a "tent or "fort" with blankets and chairs in the living room
• Playing Hide-and-Seek

7. Reading Books

Books with lots of colorful and interesting illustrations or photos are fascinating to young minds, especially when mothers show true interest in them. Children can choose from personal or library books for their mother to read with them. Choice subjects for books for young children are as listed:

• Nature and simple science
• Age-appropriate stories
• Rhymes or rhyming stories

8. Singing and Dancing

While some kinds of dancing are inappropriate, putting on music, clapping hands and dancing or marching is exciting and expends children's extra energies. Mothers can also teach children songs or they can sing along with a CD. Here are some of the "instruments" found around the house that are fun:

• Pot lids to clang
• Paper towel inner tubes for trumpets
• Large spoons to hit together

9. Swimming

Children can be taught to love the water, and teaching them to swim is important for their safety whenever they are near water. They can be taught quite young, and families should play in water together. Water fun is found in places like these:

• The bathtub
• A small or large backyard pool
• The beach, a public pool or river

10. Fun with Animals

Animals can help children learn kindness and sharing. Parents and children can enjoy animals together and have family time with pets and other creatures. In fact, the joy of a puppy or kitten can help release stress in the home. Mothers and children can experience amazing animals in many places such as these examples:

• A petting zoo
• Bird feeders in the yard
• Butterflies at a butterfly house or garden

That "Quality" Time

Mommies, babies and children can value special times spent together. Excitement and laughter come during the simplest activities. Children are only small for a few short years. Engaging and truly letting go to fully appreciate the time, busy mothers can reduce their own stress and actually make their children feel secure in their mother's love.

Author Bio: Phyllis H. is a working mother of three who, in her spare time, jogging, hiking, and helping her friends and family save money by comparing car insurance.