Need hints on how to get my 2 1/2 year old son to settle down and have creative time?

Question

My son is full of energy and I want to have some creative play time and art time with him during the day. We both get bored with TV and what housework we can do together. Is there some trick to get him settled down like feeding him first or doing something calming? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, all I have come up with so far is...

Painting
Foam Stamps
Playdoh and Cookie Cutters
Building Blocks
Puzzles

Any other ideas that aren't too messy?

Answer 1

First off don't worry about mess.. Anything you do with a 2 year old will be messy.. lol.. Put down lots of newspaper.. Take him out to the backyard just before you cut your grass.. let him step into finger paints and run all over the back yard, he'll love the colours. .and he's getting his exercise, and you're getting your arts and crafts..

Turn your tv off.. eventually he'll want to do the crafts,

Buy the HUGE rolls of paper and spread them over your back fence or the walls, let him go nuts on those with crayons, paints, markers etc.

When he see's you setting up, he will probably become interested and join in with you.

I would also suggest starting these crafts while he's napping.. get everythign prepped and then when he wakes up and see's everything set out, he will be curious to see what's going on!

Good luck!

Answer 2

One thing you can do is let him finger paint with different things, like pudding. Yes, it's as messy as regular finger paint, but it's fun and different and of course non-toxic. And 2 year olds love to make things so put the ingredients together and let him make his own play-doh. You could also get a tub shaped container and set it on the table, fill it with some water and some shaving cream, put several of an item in there, like say some little plastic dinosaurs. Have him put his hands in the water and shaving cream and feel around until he's found all of the dinosaurs. Then you can have him sort them by color, he'll be having fun and this will help him remember his colors as well as pattern building. I know all of these things I suggested can be messy, but 2 year olds are sensory, they like to smell and touch different things, the messier and gooier the better.

Answer 3

Well get the things out for him to do after lunch or when he is quiet. Show him what you can make and he might start with you then. Boys like messy things like;
painting
cornflour (put cornflour in a tray and add water to it, its good fun)
hand painting/feet painting and then walk on paper.
sponge painting
chalking
crayoens
make spaghetti and put food colouring in it and then put it over the paper to make patterns
jelly, just let him play with it
card making
stamping
clay
blow a balloon up then draw on it

I hope i have given you some ideas on what to do with your son.
You could even talk him to the park and on river walks.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Hmm...Try not to feed him when he is exicted. Some reseach shows that helps lead to emotional eaters. Maybe you should try playing old fashioned games like Peek A Boo! Or something else that is simple yet fun for the both of you.

Answer 5

You're son's 2.5 yrs old and you want him to settle down?!?!?

Nah just kidding :)

When I was younger, I remember how my mom used to do it was to just put in whatever material she can possibly produce and let me do whatever with them. If you want to hone your child's creativity, your best opponent here is inhibition. Dont ever tell him that "this is the way to do this" and "this is the way to do that". Let him figure it out himself and according to his own rules. You can guide through performing too, but he should not feel inhibited that its the only way to do it. And sorry, theres no other way for this but to get messy. So expect crayons on your wall.


You can try with:

Origami (paper sculpture)
Clay (the non-toxic type)
Watercolour (the non-toxic type too)
Coloring books (with the dot-to-dot pictures)
Jigsaws
Learning cards

But watch out for the safety precautions

Answer 6

Get about 3 to 6 little plastic cups, and some little building blocks that fit in them, and he will have a great time just pouring them back and forth into and out of the cups. My son LOVES this.

Answer 7

Well he has to much energy to unleash before settleing down ..I would take him to the park and let him play and play until he had no energy left , then i would try to do art activities with him

Answer 8

Lego.
Very good outlet for energy - and great for creative development.
Give it a shot and let me know how it works out.

Answer 9

You know it is very difficult to control or teach child

Travelling : Travelling is a very good tool to boost your child with lots of knowledge and fun. Teach him about the place like history.
Fun : Teach him things with fun. show him good movies and tell him to read books.
Books : books are very good friends.

Answer 10

you can give him cars or trains that he can just get on the floor & play quietly with!
it works with my brother all the time!