I am watching my brother's 2 kids for a few months - 10 hours a day - and I need something fun to do with the kids.
Any ideas? I'm tired...
2006-09-13 13:47:08 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Depending on what's nearby and what's affordable:
1. Playground (free, and it tires them out quick!)
2. Rec center pool (a lot of places have toddler swims -- where you can get in for like, $2 a kid, and splash for 2 hours. Might not be good if it's just you with the two kids though.)
3. Library (my kids' favorite) -- check if they have story times during the school year...most good libraries do
4. Some cities have children's museums
5. (Finger)painting (I put the kids in the high chair so that messes are contained)
6. Playdough (and don't worry if all the colors get mixed up!)
7. Play memory with the 3-year-old
8. Hide and seek
9. Dress up
10. McDonald's playland (just watch for bullies and biters!)
11. Chuck-e-cheese or other indoor playland
12. Mall playground
2006-09-13 14:06:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My children are roughly the same age. The easiest place to take them is an indoor play area- like a McDonalds. It's a self contained area with easy access to food and restoom facilities, is climate controlled, etc. I don't know how fun this would be to you, but my kids also love going to the pet store- it's free and they get to see all the fish, birds, etc.
I would very strongly recommend against Chuck E Cheese, Disneyland, or anything like that. You will be chasing around a very overly excited 3 year old and the 1 year old will need absolute constant attention and supervision. Keep it small and contained.
2006-09-14 01:50:21 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Children who are one are usually happy in a play pen with some soft play toys or a soft mobile attached to the play pen they can just watch. Their ambulatory and motor skills are quite limited. Don't overly concern yourself with "fun" ideas for the one-year-old. If you don't have a rocking chair, get one. Children this young like to be rocked, cuddled, sung to; even reading to a child this young is soothing.
As you no doubt have discovered, three-year-olds are extremely ambulatory, requiring almost constant activity. I would suggest you designate a "play" arena in your home just for the three-year-old. Perhaps you could design a "tent" or "play house" just for her/him, making available safe toys he/she can take into the space. Set up a little desk and provide pictures, etc. that can be colored with washable crayons/markers.
At some time during the day, provide a "story-time" period. You read a story, using different voices for the characters in the story. Read the same stories every day, stop at certain points in the story, and have the child relate some of the words. Let the child tell you a story from pictures in a book.
Provide a "nap time" or "quiet time" during the day for the three-year-old. Lay down with the child, read a book or two, and tell them it is time to rest. They don't have to go to sleep, just rest for a while. Leave the room, but let the child know that you are there if they need you. Leave the door open to the room so the child will know he/she is not being isolated.
Attempting to entertain the children by "taking them out" everyday will only frustrate you, and will not allow the children to develope individual play time. If you have an outside area that is safe for the children, take them outside during the day; but, don't leave them even for a minute. If your attention lags, take them back inside the house. Never leave a young child outside without adequate supervision.
Taking care of children is not easy. Why do you think so many parents put their children in day care, or are requesting more school districts to establish Early Childhood programs for children as young as one?
Parents do get tired, they get frustrated, they get angry; but, babies have no recourse. They are at the mercy of those who have charge of them. Love them and help them become loving parents.
2006-09-13 21:54:29 · answer #3 · answered by Baby Poots 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My kids favorites...:
Park
MC DONALDS PLAYLAND
Chuck E Cheese (the Rat)
Bass Pro Shop (sit and watch the fish tank for HOURS)
Anything crafty at the house (homemade playdoh, fingerpainting, etc...)
Library (read to them)
Notice that most of these things are free or awfully close.
2006-09-13 21:11:55 · answer #4 · answered by robertonduty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The park
chucky cheese
MC.Donald's with a play land
zoo
walks
flying kites(perfect time of year)
library
swimming
also you may want to check out your local rec center. They might have a ton more ideas.
2006-09-13 20:58:38 · answer #5 · answered by sr22racing 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anywhere is good. It makes them more aware. The zoo or aquarium is great, lacking that, even a shopping center is good. But keep an eye on them so they don't get lost.
2006-09-13 20:49:32 · answer #6 · answered by casa2 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Either take them to the park or play games with them. If their there for a long time you could take them to a zoo, aquarium, or a theme park.
2006-09-13 20:51:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have no idea where u live but u could go to disneyland or a local park with a playground or a local swimming pool?
2006-09-13 20:50:18 · answer #8 · answered by Dustin K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
any playground will work for hours on end. (so will a big box, and you can do it at home)
2006-09-13 20:54:42 · answer #9 · answered by daddio 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CHUCK E CHEESE.
But you will be more tired than you are now when it's time to leave......sorry.
2006-09-13 20:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋