We have done the play doh, the coloring, the helping me cook and clean, there arent any play groups in my area as we live out in no where. just wondering if there were any parents here of "high maintanance" toddlers who dont self occupy.
2006-12-29 07:05:17 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
he is only 20 months, board games, video games etc... those are out.
2006-12-29 07:24:59 · update #1
Teach him how to entertain himself. Get a shelf and make it his activity shelf. Put books, puzzles, toys, crayons, and things like that on it. When he gets bored say "Why don't you pick something off the shelf?" and he will learn to find something to do.
2006-12-29 07:09:13 · answer #1 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you done Legos? My son loves those, and they will usually self-occupy him for a little while. In fact, it's the only toy that does! We do lots of crafts stuff at the table, we'll paint in the garage, we race around the house etc. Really though for my own sanity I try to get out of the house once a day. Either take them to the mall and let him play in the play area there, go to the library etc. There must be some other Moms in the area that will drive for a play group. Us SAHM's love getting together with others!
2006-12-29 10:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by avalonlee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My toddler likes to help me clean. We get chores done and he has fun with it. Also try getting him a leap pad. It teaches letters and numbers, my son loves his. He feels like he's reading when he plays with it. Also try watching educational TV. At 20 months their brains soak up everything. Some of the videos you can buy or rent are even entertaining for you. I rented some muzzy dvds and my son and I were learning french together.
Good luck finding fun winter activities.
2006-12-29 07:33:00 · answer #3 · answered by Gwenalyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My younger son is 3 1/2. We do a LOT of art and crafts and some cooking (today we made chocolate lollipops). He has his own login on our iBook, he can only access the web browser and a few sites that we picked (noggin.com, nickjr.com...) - he will play interactive games on those sites or draw in appleworks... that is MY quiet time. I praise him a lot for being a good helper and that encourages help with housework, he can even handle the big Kirby vacuum! I try to buy toys that are active, like basketball hoops (I have one that is mesh fabric and folds up to tuck away), that uses more energy. Gymboree bubbles that don't pop easily entertain him for at least 30 minutes at a time. We have music and video dvds that he'll dance to (Dan Zanes is one of his favorites) - he'll do that alone and it uses lots of energy. We have a membership to all local children's museums, that was only like $100/year to access all of them. He idolizes his older brother who plays video games, so we found some that he can play (pool, spongebob, nemo). Ask around about favorite local parks and nature trails too, weather permitting. I also make sure my husband and I take turns having alone time with the kids so they get each of our full attention and we each get breaks... make sure YOU get YOU time!
2006-12-29 07:19:56 · answer #4 · answered by Bored Enough To Be Here 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's see, if you have snow, allow them to play outside-make snowmen, have a small snowball fight, go sledding, put them on a sled and if you are near a small cafe, walk there. (Good exercise for you, and the memories last a life time) If by chance you have no snow like most of us do this year, invite playmates over, let them play with their toys and leave them with their imagination. I would also say play hide and seek in the dark, but leave that for when you're not so busy. A toddler usually can play for hours by themselves as long as they have the toys. And do what you are doing now. You can't always please them!
2006-12-29 07:10:12 · answer #5 · answered by ck55 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I purchased my daughter the crayola color works finger paints and she loves them ... it took a few seconds to get it down.. but it's virtually mess less.
She also loves to sing and dance ... i purchased a couple of childrens cd...and dvd with songs..
Also try the parents ( you know the magizine) website.. i get a lot of ideas from there.
and How about the library... or dance classes.. some places offer movement classes for 2-3 years olds. just a few ideas I've tried with my 2 1/2 year old.
2006-12-29 07:16:43 · answer #6 · answered by dani girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
TV! No but seriously, I would do some research on Amazon.com and search under books for children / toddler activities. You can read reviews on the books & maybe purchase good books or check some out from the library.
2006-12-29 07:09:37 · answer #7 · answered by Nitnit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take them to a movie, play a board game with them. Watch some education tv shows..
2006-12-29 07:07:18 · answer #8 · answered by just_acali_girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it snows, let them play in the snow, if not try board gaes, if u are willing to spend the money you could purchase about 5 and alternate. Or a puzzle those always are fun.
2006-12-29 07:08:30 · answer #9 · answered by attax321 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't be afraid to take him/her outside, even if it's just for 20 minutes when really cold. It's good for them. Read, sing, dance, explore, hide and seek, build forts out of furniture, talk on the phone to relatives and friends, car trips to parks, museums, shopping, local YMCA. Just use your imagination and mix it up every day.
2006-12-29 07:36:01 · answer #10 · answered by chicchick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋