Toddler Entertainment

threemuttleys

Hello all

I am Mum to a lovely little man, he will be 2 next month.

What I trying to do, is put together a little list of things that we can do together (for as little cost as possible) We play with his toys together every day, we go to the little park most days (obv with cold months coming this may have to stop) I am starting to bake with him (well, Chocolate krispie cakes...but we ate most of the mix )

Apart from that!? He is with the childminder 2/3 days a week, so am looking for things to do to fill our time. He doesnt really "do" TV, he may watch for 20mins, and then he gets bored!

Big problem, is that we live in a village, with rubbish transport (I dont drive) and funds are limited

What do you all do with your LO's?

CL

Hi. My LO is two in November and doesn't sit for longer than 5 mins in front of the TV, so I'll be watching this thread with interest.

She loves to put on her wellies and splashing in puddles outside (and find sticks to poke in them). She likes going for a walk (by the hand, doesn't like the buggy) to see the cows. She loves to colour with crayons (in her high chair or outside to stop wall drawings). She likes to help unstack the dishwasher and putting wet clothes on the clothes horse and she likes trips to the shop.

I'd love some ideas too. It's hard to entertain them for 12 hours a day when there seems no limit to their energy!

maman

Any chance of inviting a friend round? Sharing with other children is a really good social skill.

When you do go into town (unless you have a mobile one) visit the library. Add reading aloud to your list of home activities and singing and poems. It would be good if he could learn loads of nursery rhymes to sing or recite and know lots of the famous folk tales. Painting, Playdoh (HM) and get outdoors every day if at all possible.

Make-it-3

I'll also be watching with interest too, in keeping a 20 month amused now the days aren't so warm and the park gets less attractive to mummy! We do craft class at Surestart Centre and Rhyme time at the library - I know neither of which would be helpful for you if they don't have these where you are.

I've tried things like making cakes but she isn't able to participate much, and also touchy-feely stuff like cornflower and shaving foam play (in the highchair to limit mess) but she's not been much interested.

I do struggle to fill time, she's not into TV but loves choosing and singing/dancing along to nursery rhymes on YouTube. We read a lot too and she (tries to) help with laundry.

threemuttleys

We dont really know any other mums around here

I have thought of getting him a sandpit (cat litter box?) I remember playing with sand and water as a kid. I have asked for crafty bits for him for his birthday.

I did post on Netmums, but not many replies

GobbledyGook

Painting is something that my son adores. I either cover the kitchen floor and table and we do hand/finger painting or use an old roll of wallpaper in the hall and do hand and feet painting. It's messy, but he loves it. Powder paint is cheap and easily washable.

I also have a set of plastic tubs that are like tupperware and I've no idea why, but they appear to have ages of amusement in them!

lostinrates

I bebysit a friend's toddler sometimes. He really loves going for a walk, and learning the names of differen plants. (dandylion was his favourite, it is now, resoundingly BLACKBERRY.)

He also love, love, loves being read to, and we 'discuss' the pictures etc.

I have walked with him year round, and i know they go to the park in all but the wettist weather, cold or not.

Nicki

I'd be lost if I lived in a village without access to toddler groups and the library so you have my sympathy.

Some things my 2 year old likes to do:

hiding toys in a cat litter tray filled with value cornflakes
Tracing patterns in gloop made from cornflour, water and food colouring
on dryish days we sometimes spread a cheap white shower curtain (99p from Asda a few years ago I think) out in the garden and make patterns with a toy watering can filled with water and food colouring. You can also use water pistols for this.
if you dont mind the mess, you can also get a coloured shower curtain or a huge piece of coloured wallpaper (plain not patterned) and make patterns with flour or icing sugar and a sieve or colander. You can scoop up and reuse the flour more than once.
cat litter trays make great sandpit and water trays
if you have a patio, you can chalk patterns on it
Musical instruments are always fun at this age, and will help with speech development as they help them learn how to control their breath. You can buy cheap plastic ones really cheaply in supermarkets designed for party bags and it doesn't matter if they get lost or broken.
finger painting, sponge painting or potato stamping
play dough

shegirl

threemuttleys wrote: »

We dont really know any other mums around here

I have thought of getting him a sandpit (cat litter box?) I remember playing with sand and water as a kid. I have asked for crafty bits for him for his birthday.

I did post on Netmums, but not many replies

B&Q have 3 foot wooden sandpits (with cover) reduced to £5 at the mo.Instore only though so check and reserve

I'd still be going out in autumn and winter too,parks feel lovely then and woods,walks are so much nicer in those seasons!And you can play in crunch leaves,find pine cones to make Christmas decs and watch the squirrels running around!

threemuttleys

oh we will still go out, just wont be a long affair with picnic, sadly ;-(

will check out those sandpits, thank you x

suki1001

Try and get hold of a giant cardboard box and help him decorate it into a little house - great fun. Fill with cushions blankets etc, "furniture" or make a den with blankets.