[Shay]

I wondered if anyone would want to share some fun, interesting activities you do with your toddlers to help keep them entertained when they start to become bored with their toys. I am trying to limit television time but am having a hard time thinking of fun actvities to do with Daria to keep her attention.

Anyone have some ideas?

Maybe state the age of your child and the activity.

I am looking for things to do with a 20 month old.

Thanks a mil!!!!

[An Song Tao]

I have a 6 yo and a 2.5 yo. As my house has been increasingly filled with toys, I have started taking a selection and making them available for play while hiding the rest away in the basement. After they get bored with the current selection, I trade them out for different toys and, voila, brand new toys...or at least they seem to think so! Apparently, if you are able to remove the toy from the kid for at least 2 weeks, it is like it is brand new to them when they see it again! I wonder if this will work with clothes as my girls enter their teen years?!

[Shay]

Originally Posted by An Song Tao

I have a 6 yo and a 2.5 yo. As my house has been increasingly filled with toys, I have started taking a selection and making them available for play while hiding the rest away in the basement. After they get bored with the current selection, I trade them out for different toys and, voila, brand new toys...or at least they seem to think so! Apparently, if you are able to remove the toy from the kid for at least 2 weeks, it is like it is brand new to them when they see it again! I wonder if this will work with clothes as my girls enter their teen years?!

I think I am going to try this as it can't hurt, right??

She has soooo many toys it really is ridiculous so I may put some of them downstairs! Stay tuned...dun dun dun

[Korrie Sue]

You might want to look for a toddler play book at your library or local book store. I got one and it has sooo many good ideas.

[Norsk]

Both my 22 month old and my 3 1/2 year old love to cut the catalogues from the toystores. They cut with their kiddie-scissors (Ok, my youngest one ends up ripping the paper since his scissors aren't sharp at all..). We glue the bits on jars or paper-rolls and they are so proud when they play with them afterwards.

Painting is always a hit.
As well as playing with water. It is amazing how fun it is to play with for instanse Lego in a tub full of water instead of just on the dry.

Luckily, both my boys love to read books.
And they have their favorite websites with games, even the youngest one. (Meaning we found two websites with their favorite cartoons and they love to do the activities there.)

We also crawl around on the floor together. It's amazing how fun it can be to crawl under a table with mummy.

Where we live, the libraries have storytimes and there are "baby theatres" for newborns and up, free admission. Going out of the house is always fun.

[SummerMommy]

As a 2nd time mom with a 17 year old kid and a new toddler, I found that I forgot how to play with a baby too. But after six months as a SAHM, I think I'm back in the groove


Gwen loves to immitate gestures (not so much words). So we play games that she can follow along. "Hands in the air" "Way up high!" "Shake your hair", etc. Lissa will recognize that at the "Wobbly Woopsy".

We also talk about everything. If we're watching Sesame Street together, we talk about what's going on so she learns to interract with it and not just sit and watch.

We experiment with food and self feeding. We practice getting into our car seat by ourself (mommy fastens the straps though). We sort socks. We play with wood puzzles even though Gwen can't put the pieces back in very well. We just identify the different animals. We string beads (she loves this!). We read books and Mommy makes up the story because Gwen turns the pages too fast. It's very funny and our play amuses mommy and keeps her from going insane from boredom!

Gwen has "chores" that she loves to perform. She, for example, throws away the diapers. She pulls the wipes out of the container for me. She fetches a diaper.

I give her a choice of two shirts to wear and she doesn't seem to understand but, heck, it's something to do and it's a teaching moment. We talk about what's on the shirt. This morning, she saw a kitty on my sock and hugged my ankle and said "Awwwwwww!". So she must be paying attention!

Just be creative and think about what your child's world looks like to them. Then play along.

[mjy]

Have you started a dress up box yet? I started mine when DD was 20 months old. It is now overflowing with scarves, hats, tutus, gloves, and princess dresses. We play dress up at least once per day.

I am someone who also does the toy rotation idea and it really does work!

[Jen4]

I have a 21 month old. Madilyn likes to dress up and play with her dollies. She also LOVES Play Do. Putting on some music and letting her dance entertains her for awhile. She also loves to play outside.

Hope that helps!!!

[Shay]

someone provided a great site for preschool activities! PM me if you want it too.