Suggestions for activities for my 3year old daughter while putting my 8 month old to sleep for naps?

Question

I'm looking for ideas to keep my 3 year old quiet and occupied while I put my 8 month old to sleep for her naps.

She does not nap anymore and I was looking specifically for activities that she could do on her own while I put the baby to sleep.

Answer 1

I want to preface by saying that tv or a movie is not the way to go. Getting your daughter into the habit of watching tv every day is not a good thing to do and there are so many other fun things for her.
I think a great idea would be a Magic Box with different toys and acitivies that she can do by herself and use her imagination. In there should be special toys that she doesn't usually get to play with, so when she gets the chance each day to play with them it will be exciting. You should also rotate the toys every 1-2 weeks so that she doesn't get bored with them and so they stay exciting. Another thing in the box should be a simple craft project. It could be something as simple as play doh with cookie cutters or something like cutting pictures (with child safe scissors of course) to match a certain theme. One day she would cut out animals, another day things that start with letter S. Depending on her skill level she would have to cut out different things. Any magazine you have left over would work and it would keep her really happy.
I would stay away from messier projects like paint and things because when she is alone that could end in disaster.
Also, a snack in a baggie she could open could be put into the Magic Box as well. Each day she could have a different snack and it would be exciting to get the surprise.
I think the main point is to keep it exciting and switch up what is in the box. You could have 10 or 15 toys that are Magic Box toys and have 5 in there at a time and switch it each week, along with the project and the snack. I think it would be a great way for her to be happy and content when you are gone and she would be excited because she wouldn't know what would be in there each day.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 2

I'm confused ... are you asking for 'quiet things you can do with your 3 year old' or are you asking for 'things she can do without an adult' while you lie down with your 8 month old for a 'nap.' Do you want things she can 'do' ONLY while you are in the act of 'putting the baby down' or do you want things to do that are 'quiet' for the whole time the baby is napping?

I'd say 'read your 3 year old' a good book ... with the 8 month old 'asleep' on one side of the bed, and the older child on the other, then you and the 3 year old should 'snuggle down' and take a nap along with the baby ... because you both 'need a good nap, too' and the emphasis is on YOU because you have two children and are probably not getting 'enough sleep' at night.

Answer 3

Have you tried singing to him? It doesn't even matter how well you sing your voice is one of the most relaxing sounds to your baby. If he wakes up later in the morning you could try waking him up at like 6:00 am but if you think about it mornings are a lot of the time better for people with kids. Then he may fall asleep maybe an hour earlier. I had to lay my son down and listen to him cry for 30min-1 hour every night for a week or two before he got the picture that it was bedtime. No need to eat or play, it's time for bed and he needs to learn that. He will be fine he just cries because he wants you to come, then you do so he'll keep doing it.

Answer 4

I am in the same situation although my youngest is a year. I put my 3 year old's favorite show or movie on and tell him to stay in the big chair and watch his movie quietly and if he does, he gets a snack when I come back downstairs. It's all about the training and once they get into the routine of it, you'll be fine. While the baby sleeps, I take my oldest outside in front of the house to play (with my monitor outside as well to listen for my youngest). I also have a "craft" time where he can paint, colour, play with stickers, use playdo. All the fun things kids love to play with. That keeps him happy and quiet!
Have fun!!!!

Answer 5

There's a great book called
1,000 Things To Do On A Rainy Day
It is a really great book on things to
do with kids. We use it in the Hospital,
because it is full of things they can do
while laying down or sitting. We have to
keep it quiet. Most projects don't cost
much and don't take all day to do.

Answer 6

involving her in putting the baby down could be great, but my youngest was so enthralled by my oldest, he couldn't sleep when big bro was around.

Quiet activities are building with blocks, coloring freestyle, playing with playdoh, reading. You can sell it as a quiet time for her to relax, too, by reading on her bed or in a special place she chooses.

Answer 7

Make nap time 'quiet time' for your daughter. Have her play with puzzles or dolls, or simply settle down and watch a movie playing quietly. I did this with my son after he stopped napping, and it worked for both of us: I could get paperwork done and whatnot, and he would play quietly in his room. Afterword, we'd make a game of cleaning up the inevitable mess. ^_^

Answer 8

well you could try to put your 3 yr old down for a nap at the same time or just have her color. or play with puzzles and quiet toys or just watch barney..

Answer 9

Whatever it is you decide to do to occupy her time, I recommend making it a regular routine. Something she can look forward to and depend on, maybe switiching the activity depending on the day of the week. Monday = puzzles, Tuesday = coloring, Wed = Play-Doh, etc etc.

Answer 10

Read to both of them softly or sing quiet songs. Of course there is always old faithful the t.v. Just remember you are probaly doing a better job at parenting them both than you are giving yourself credit for.