If you can display a relaxed attitude, let your toddler play with a container of water with her sand or dirt. If the mess repels you, then confine her water play to the bathtub. Otherwise, your negative attitude will likely be felt by your child and diminish her experience. Sometimes adults think that it is not masculine for little boys to play with dolls or stuffed animals, but doll play is a positive aspect of a boy's development. It encourages feelings of tenderness, care, and protectiveness.
Dolls help all children work out important emotions and various aspects of family life.
Toys dealing with sounds and music are important at this stage. Toddlers like rhythm and playing with sounds. Pots and pans work well, as does a series of graduated tin cans. Your child is very impressionable at this age. Give her a wide variety of music to listen to.