Activities for a 2 year old?

Question

I stay at home with my 26 month old daughter and I'm running out of ideas for things to do. Today I tried to make cookies with her but she kept eating huge handfuls of dough and threw a fit when I made her stop. I try going outside and playing in the snow and make a snowman, but she just wants to dig in the neighbor's mulch. Coloring or reading can't hold her attention for longer than 1 minute, but she can sit in front of the TV watching kids movies quite happily! I really don't want her to watch kids TV ALL day and I'm having problems coming up with things to do. Any tips?

Answer 1

my 24-month-old loves anything to do with water ... I set him up with some plastic toys and a big bin of water (and a lot of towels, lol). or i put him in the tub just to play. he'll play there forever.

for the reading, keep at it. try some lift-the-flap books where she's participating. if you read to her every day, you'll build up her attention span for longer things.

music is good. sing silly songs, teach her the hand motions to wheels on the bus, etc.. Also listen to all kinds of music (with okay lyrics, obviously) and dance with her. let her bang on pots and pans or toy instruments.

my son also likes to "help" clean. I give him his own sponge while I'm cleaning the kitchen and let him rub the refrigerator, or give him a small broom to "sweep" while I'm sweeping.

also try blocks, puzzles, and anything with wheels. that age is usually just starting to like pretending ... we spend huge chunks of time each day "fixing" things with our play tools and "feeding" the stuffed animals.

you can also try singalongs or storytime at your public library, or a mommy and me music class, or a playgroup (good for you and for her!).

Answer 2

Hmm, I know what you are talking about there... My daughter is 2 1/2 and she is kinda the same way, although I got her out of eating the cookie dough finally.. her task is to pour in the ingredients (mostly the dry stuff)... We don't have snow here (I live in Florida) so that's out. Play dough is a good idea, and somewhere I KNOW there is even a recipe for non toxic homemade edible stuff (my mom used to make it for us when I was a kid)
You say she likes digging in the neighbors mulch? Well hey, what about that? Get her a sandbox, let her dig away! Find a shovel, pail, rake..(gardening/beach tools set) and let her go at it!
My daughter LOVES to dig! She also likes to go on walks with her daddy before bed to look at Xmas lights, and ride on her tricycle during the day. You could 'play house' with her. and pretend to cook stuff with her. Play 'mommy' with her and her dolls.

Answer 3

My cookie making was a disaster also. Hoping we'll have better luck with cookie decorating - but Im keeping my expectations low.

If you have to watch TV, try something like The Wiggles which might keep her up and moving, also include instruments, even hand made shakers.

Lately my 2 year old and I are also into forts and marching bands. He will do playdough for a real long time though. (meaning a half hour)

Answer 4

Try to get some hands on toys that can be manipulated and roatate them every 15 minutes or so. Get some PlayDough that she can squeeze and shape; when she tries to eat it, put it away. Take paints outside into the snow and paint the snow or put her in the tub with some of the tub crayons and draw some pictures with her, tell her what you are drawing, and let her color them. Teach her how to play Follow the Leader and Hide-Go Seek (although keep her out of room she could get into ,ischief in).

Answer 5

baking with a two year old.... yeah its not a fun experince...
my son liked making pudding
there isnt much to do other than pour the milk and sturr
he also loves playdough
the problem is u have to make sure he doesnt eat it
lol