My kids don't seem to play together very well. Is it just age difference? I'd like to foster some good sibling time, so please suggest activities that are age appropriate for all my kids and don't require an extremely long set up or clean up- With kids these ages, I don't have a lot of time for it.
2006-08-25 05:56:07 · 8 answers · asked by ugly frog 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My daughters are 3 years and 21 months, so I'll tell you some things that they like to do. (They're 17 months apart in age and don't really play together as much as they play side-by-side. However, my 3-year-old will often tell my younger daughter what to do, and sometimes she listens.)
- Play dress up. I have a box full of hats, shoes, dresses, magic wands, bead necklaces, bracelets, etc. that they can put on and take off by themselves. I set a full-length mirror nearby so that they can admire their various outfits.
- Play house/babies/kitchen. We have a toy kitchen (got for free from a friend) and lots of dolls, doll clothes, and doll accessories set up in a guest bedroom. The girls can play that for quite a while. They love to stir dry macaroni or rice in a big bowl with a wooden spoon. (I just vacuum up any spilled noodles/rice.) And they love to push their dolls in strollers (in the house or outside).
- Color with crayons. I also love our Aquadoodle mat b/c there's no mess -- kids are just using water-filled pens to draw on it.
- Play with play-doh.
- Go to the playground.
- Play in a baby pool in the backyard.
- Go to the zoo, library, or children's museum.
- Kick or toss balls around.
- Draw with chalk in the driveway.
- Blow bubbles (a little messy for the younger ones, but still fun).
- Dance to music on the radio or a CD.
- Play follow the leader with the older one leading the way.
- Listen to books.
- Sing songs.
- Have a "marching band" with each child playing a different instrument.
Hope that gives you a few more ideas! In just a couple more years, they'll really be able to play together!
2006-08-25 07:00:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mom to 3 under 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention whether they were boys or girls. But I have 3 year old and 20 month old girls and they play together pretty much all day. Dressing up and dancing around is one of their favorite things. They also enjoy coloring, play dough, making little forts, playing in the sand box, jumping on the trampoline, cooking in their pretend kitchen, as well as helping me cook for real, stacking blocks, reading books, and playing dolls. But lately they've unfortunately been spending a lot of time watching cartoons, since I just had a baby 3 weeks ago, but they enjoy doing that together too.
2006-08-25 06:12:25 · answer #2 · answered by mommyem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this age children "parallel" play. That means they all play in the same room, but they don't necessarily play the same game or interact. If you want games to play together, here are some ideas. They may be old enough for "duck duck goose". My 3 and 1 years olds love to play music at the same time. (drums, xylophone, maracas, tamborine). Join in and sing with them. They can also crank up the radio and have dance time. Good luck.
2006-08-25 06:15:03 · answer #3 · answered by HD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chalking outside, coloring, playdoh, doll house, dress up. My daughter is 3. I know you said you don't want a lot of clean up, but I know if I get my daighter involved in something messy...and ftherefore fun, she will play very nicely forever! I make a batch of playdoh- using salt, flour and water. Put food coloring in it. She just loves it. I give her rolling pins and things from the kitchen to cut, roll, etc. She makes pretend treats. She also loves to paint, so i put down news paper and let her create as much of a mess as she wants. It doesn't take too lng to clean as long as you use newspaper. I think anything crafty is good for kids. Check out familyfun.com lots of great ideas.
2006-08-25 06:04:35 · answer #4 · answered by livelaughlove 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a playground together...or get a large roll of paper (like butcher paer) and tape it to the wall or the floor and let them color or finger paint together...
Get a sand or water table and set it up outside--good for sensory and fine motor skills.
2006-08-25 06:01:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bubbles
2006-08-25 06:02:35 · answer #6 · answered by didleydoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They only thing I can get them to "do together" was chasing each other around.
2006-08-25 05:59:21 · answer #7 · answered by mom_of_ndm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
run thru the sprinkler
2006-08-25 06:01:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋