What are some good indoor activities for my 18mo old?

Question

It's getting cold and dark outside, so I'm looking for ways to entertain my 18 mo old. I used to take her to the shopping mall, but it's getting crowded this time of year. I used to take her out for walks in the stroller, but it's getting cold and dark earlier now. We are trying to limit exposure to tv programs even though some of them are very good. I've tried the library and taking her to all my shopping errands. But I am running out of ideas.

So what can a parent do? I live in the San Jose, CA area. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

i forget the name of the website but i'll try to find it...it is something like matchingmoms or meetingmoms.com and you can find local playgroups in your area. i met some really good friends and some great playdates for my son when he was that age.

we also used to go to chuck e cheese early int he morning when all the school agers were at school and he would play and play and not really cost us anything...we didn't eat...he just played.

when things are getting boring at home rearrange his nursery...put the toys in different bins, change his bed and chair around and it will be so new and interesting. everything old will be fun again.

how about playing on the computer with him. my son loved playhousedisney and pbskids online. teletubbies and sesame street was his all time favorite.

it is a hassle but worth it to bring a little tyke toy inside. my son loved when i would bring in ghte little tyke orange slide - he would slide and slide and slide some more.

toddler versions of hide and seek are always fun.

magnets. kids love to clear the magnets off the fridge.

good luck!

Answer 2

Noggin has some great toddler TV programs (Without the damn commercials) which are very short and educational, not sure if you get that channel in your area, but, when all else fails...sometimes it does do the trick.

For my own 18 month old, we play blocks, dolly, dress-up (make-up and all) read, but her favorite is dancing and drawing. She likes to help me clean as well (and I'm not complaining one bit, LOL). Sometimes we just pull out all my crafting supplies and use clean recyclables (tin cans, plastic bottles, paper towel cardboard rolls) and go nuts.

My husband enjoys cooking with her, but, as a mom, I get really worried when she's around HOT things. Maybe things like Jell-o and No-bake recipes ?

I'm looking forward to hearing some of the other responses..good question !!!!

Answer 3

OMG it's not THAT cold outside in San Jose...bundle the child up and take her out in the stroller. The fresh air will do her and you both good. When my daughter was a baby we lived in Central New York where it was about 32 degrees outside and snow on the ground, yet we managed our walks in the stroller, it took som extra bundlign and layers but it didn't kill either one of us. Take along a flashlight if you're out when it starts getting dark...get a dog for "protection". Other than that you can start teaching her "silly" songs. Remember "Itsy Bitsy Spider"? Read to her, let her "read" to you. (My daughter had an "interesting" way of "reading" Cinderella to me...LOL).

Answer 4

As for places to go that are inside, try switching them up. Try museums, aquariums, libraries, indoor kids play grounds. I'm not sure if you have something like this but we have a place called Early Works Museum and it's a hands-on kids museum. They get to touch EVERYTHING! I am also trying to limit my daughters TV, but if you are trying to get your child active, one good thing to maybe consider is baby excercise DVDs. They are kind of nice b/c you get to exercise with your baby and they get active...and get to spend time with you. Maybe you can look around for play groups or some sort of crafts that you both can enjoy.

Answer 5

painting drawing sticking stickers onto paper and other bits... shape the paper into a crown or mask so he/she can wear it. have a small paddle pool with ball pit balls in it. have tunnel tents and little kids indoor tents. supervised bath with bath toys in it playing nursery rhymes and encouraging singing along and dancing. playing peek a boo playing on a keyboard or other small child musical instruments. i assume you meant supervised things to do with a toddler so i hope you have some joy with these.. :) xx

Answer 6

Playdoh and fingerpainting is a hit with my kids. But cover everything up. I always put down plastic on the floor and a table cover on the table, and put an old t-shirt on her and let her paint away, she'll love it.

Answer 7

Get her involved in some cooking. Bake cakes and things. She can even help you make playdough. Get her an easel and she can draw and paint. Buy her a little broom and she can help you do housework!

Answer 8

if your child is just learnin how to speak try to piont out things like
Ex: CAR....the car is BIG the car is RED......

just try to teach him or her their words and make it fun like ask them what it is just right after u told them the answer.......if you get what i mean......i work at a daycare thats what im teaching is different things like that.....just to give you some advice i hope my advice worked...........