Pretending you're at a spa requires one key ingredient you can find in your kitchen: cucumbers! Let your little one place slices on your eyes and her own. Then see who can lie still the longest without the cucumbers sliding off.
To give your daughter a taste of playing with makeup, why not serve as her model? Some tools to consider: a powder brush with a wide handle (easier for little hands to maneuver), a disposable mascara brush she can use to comb your eyebrows, clear or lightly tinted lip balm that comes in a pot (safer than a wand applicator), and lipstick in a barely-there shade. After she's finished getting you dolled up, you can dab a little balm or gloss on her too if you're comfortable with that.
The only thing better than brushing a doll's hair is brushing Mommy's! You can use this activity to teach your little one a thing or two about proper hair care for when she starts doing her own. Ask her to dampen your strands with a water bottle before spraying on a leave-in conditioner. Instruct her to brush or comb your hair slowly and in small sections. For more of a salon spin, you can have her put Velcro rollers in your hair. Then ask her to do a simple style, such as twisting a front piece of hair to the side and securing it with a cute accessory. Be sure she likes the finished look. Why? Because now it's your turn to play hairstylist, and matching styles make it more fun!
Nothing's sweeter than the sight of little feet, and this abbreviated version of an at-home pedicure doesn't involve any sharp tools or stinky chemicals. Start by applying a lightweight body lotion on your little girl's legs and feet to soften the skin. Sneak in a few tickles while you're at it! Then use a cardboard or foam file (as opposed to glass or metal) to shape her nails. Place cotton balls in between her toes before you apply polish. Choose chemical-free brands such as Priti and Piggy Polish. Then ask her to return the favor!
You'll love the sweet scent of this moisturizer and that it's free of parabens and phthalates. Zoe & Zac Blackberry Honey Body Lotion, $8; zoeandzac.com
Originally published in the August 2011 issue of Parents magazine.
