Fun with Toddlers!

[Arimeh]

Ok I'm starting this thread to get ideas on what to do with DS during the day - I'm guilty of using the TV too much (ie its on ALL day) even though he isn't watching it all the time. I admit that I have been slack because of having a newborn, but since she is almost 4 months old - that excuse just isn't cutting it anymore

So.. this thread is for people to share their ideas, experiences etc with setting up activities for toddlers.

So far today - other than watching tv - we have:-

* had a draw with crayons and textas. He made me draw cars, and balls and I did a lovely sunset with crayons for him
* had a tickle/throwing session on the couch that left me exhausted - its hard work hauling nearly 13 kg....
* playing with his cars on the couch at the moment.

Ok so thats pretty slack mothering on my behalf.

I do plan to take him to the park before his nap this morning while DH stays at home with DD (he is on sick leave atm) and take him shopping as well cos I have to pick up a pressie for someone.

Anyone else care to share? Don't be embarrassed if you are guilty of using the tv - we are here to support one another to change the behaviour that we are guilty of doing.

I've taken the big step admitting it - who's next?

[No.5]

We've only been up an hour and all we've done is build a cubby house out of blankets with the table and play in there... weather sucks so we won't be able to go outside and play at all..

[Captain]

*Raises Hand* Yep I am guilty of using the TV to much. So we are making a big effort here too.

The other day I went down to the $2 shop and bought heaps of craft stuff and we do 1 craft activity a day. Yesterday it was a plaster cast that you make then paint. Bit messy but heaps of fun. Pictures with glitter glue or just plain painting. DD1 also loves helping with the vegie garden because she loves being able to pick stuff that she can eat.

Looking forward to hearing more ideas.

[Rouge]

Oh hon that is not slack!

Life skills is important too! Its all about interacting with your child not necessarily having 20 activities per day.

Today we've played outside, he helped me make breakfast, helped me move some washing from the laundry to be folded. Talked to me whilst I was in the shower. Played with his cars and atm he's playing with his Tonka truck. We're about to go have some fun with the Wii Fit, then we'll probably make some lunch together, read some books and then it will be naptime, go get his sister and then the two of them will play.

BUT the TV was on this morning whilst they ate breaky, and it'll be on this afternoon I'm sure And thats all good

Other things we tend to do is:

Play dinner parties (he's the chef) and I'm the guest. Make trophies (I don't know how this started) with Duplo, then someone will have to do something cool to win the trophy (Cool tricks Cool tricks!). Play rocketships in his fold up couch (he puts it on its side and pretends its a rocket ship!). Dance on the coffee table (everyone needs a podium especially when you've got your rock moves ). Ride his bike on the deck, play in the sand pit or on the swings.

But most of the time he's happy to help me do my daily chores and play on his own with his toys (which is important for development too!), or play with his sister.

[Lulu]

Today after the kids help me tidy up and fold washing we will do some cutting and pasting. I bought some wrapping paper sheets from the Reject Shop and will cut out the pictures and glue them on stuff.

[sangie]

Nothing wrong with a bit of TV time Mel!
Some things that we love doing:

- putting on music and singing/dancing
- drawing
- dress-ups
- DD loves to play with my tupperware while I cook, even more fun with some water!
- blowing bubbles from those bubble containers (best used outside!) Get them cheap from $2 shop
- the park
- like Cai said doing chores. DD loves to help do the washing, hang up clothes etc
- jump on my bed lol, she loves it and guaranteed to get us both tired!
- likes to have a dinner party with her teddies. Lines them up, feeds them then tucks them in for a sleep!

Other ideas: finger painting, playdough, crafty things like glitter etc, help to bake muffins/cookies?

[Snacks]

I'm at work today, but I just wanted to drop in and say, YAY! What a fantastic thread, Mel.
We watch Night Garden and Playschool in the mornings when I'm home - but I'm not likely to change that little habit just yet as it gives me a chance to get some washing up done or washing pegged out etc (because Natty's very impatient when I'm doing those things.)
We often go out in the mornings because I hate being at home. Just for a wander around the shops, or to playgroup or to a park if it's fine. Then home for lunch and bed.
In the afternoons we read stories, colour in and often she likes to unpack the tupperware cupboard or one of my kitchen drawers and build towers with the containers. If she's getting cross, a CD of kids songs is great fun for a little while, as long as I sing along too
The cubby house sounds like a brilliant idea! Natty loves it when I'm folding sheets or wraps - she loves running underneath the fabric - gasps with excitement, LOL! I think I'll have to try the cubby one day soon!

[Nai]

I have a lot of craft stuff from the $2 shop as well. I also keep egg cartons, margarine containers and toilet rolls etc to use. Often we will watch Playschool and then make the things that they make on the show. DD loves doing that. Egg carton caterpillers are a favourite!

[Rouge]

Another few things Seth loves to do, get some paint brushes and some water and let them paint the concrete or the deck or anything that the water will soak into. My kids LOVE painting the deck

And if you go through the cupboard to turf out old clothes or shoes keep them for kids for dressups, alternatively go to the salvo's and buy old shoes or clothes. This is not only fun but helps them to learn how to dress themselves

[LuluHB]

We have the tv on here in the mornings too but once Play School is finished its turned off.

We don't do planned activities as such - except going to the park - but just do whatever DD#1 wants to do. She has a basket of toys and other stuff left around the family room so we'll play with blocks, read books, play with Night Garden stuff (yep, she's got just about everything there is thanks to her Grandma). Playing chasey is also a hugely fun game - I carry DD#2 and we chase DD#1. We also spend a lot of time outside in the garden when its a nice day. She also plays really well on her own and is starting to do a lot of the stuff Sangie was saying - feeding bears/dolls and tucking them in.

Just wait for another couple of months though - if your kids are anything like mine they'll start playing together and you'll struggle to get into the game sometimes!!

[Lulu]

How come you're allowed to sing Snacks?! I get thuddup mummy.....

Big chalk is good to, for drawing outside.

[Ozziehoffy]

Mel, you're a good mummy!!!

Ok...today, we've read books whilst eating brekky...ahhhhh try to get him to sit still...lol.
Played row row row your boat
Mummy does silly dances
Walked around the garden
Rebuilt the cubby house
Played outside with toys

Our tv is on when at home, mainly for noise really. Sometimes I turn the radio on but find that gets annoying when I hear the same songs it feels like GROUNDHOG day...lol. Ever noticed they play them around the same time every day?

Cai...love the painting with water outside idea!!! We have plenty of concrete for that to work!

[Snacks]

How come you're allowed to sing Snacks?! I get thuddup mummy.....

LOL! Classic!
I have to ham it up, otherwise she gets bored too quickly. But perhaps in another few months I will no longer be funny, just embarrassing
OMG, I'm loving these ideas, girls! I'm going to go and buy some paintbrushes on Friday!

[Snowy Love]

I've been lazy Mummy today.

He woke at 4:45 - I so want daylight saving up here, it is so bright in his room as soon as the sun rises.

He played with his cars while I lay on the couch & did the washing up. Watched 2 episodes to Thomas. Did some drawing - he asked me to draw Daddy's car and I did an OK approximation of a ute if I do say so myself.

He played with his leggo while I surfed the net and then he hopped on my lap and hung upside down trying to grab the blocks, while I desperately grasped his feet.

We played ring a rosie, and I spun him around. He played drums, and then we went grocery shopping and he fell asleep on the way home and I'm guessing (hoping) he'll sleep for a while seeing he got up so early.

This afternoon we'll be playing on the verandah with paint brushes and water and he'll ride his bike. He'll watch Night Garden (I record it) while I cook dinner.

It didn't seem like much before I started typing.

[Olive]

today we had toddler group at kindy so did lots of christmas craft stuff-painting, colouring, making decorations, played outside, read a book, sung songs etc....was great fun!!

our tv also goes off at 10am after playschool
we listen to ABC playground radio
draw
playdough
play outside
cook
read

[Rouge]

I just thought of some more...

Ice fossils! My kids love this. You get tiny plastic dinosaurs and freeze them in either ice cubes (they can stick out a bit) or either in a big ice cream tub. Then pop them in another container (we normally just float them in an ice cream container) and they try and see which ones melt the quickest. For the older kids you can buy plaster of paris and fill an ice cream tub and put the dinosaurs in and then using a small hammer (you can get little ones at craft stores) they can tap away at the plaster of paris (and using a paint brush) pretend to be archaeologists. Paris loves this too!

Don't forget marble painting too, where you get a shoe box and put a piece of paper inside. Get some marbles and a few squirts of paint and roll the marbles around the bottom of the box to make prints (save the pictures for wrapping paper!).

We also do fruit cut outs with watermelon. I give them cookie cutters and some big slices and they can cut out shapes (you can use cleaned playdough cutters for little fingers). This also works with sandwhiches too.

[Olive]

I just thought of some more...Don't forget marble painting too, where you get a shoe box and put a piece of paper inside. Get some marbles and a few squirts of paint and roll the marbles around the bottom of the box to make prints (save the pictures for wrapping paper!).
.

we did this a few weeks back at toddler group for christmas wrapping paper, fantastic idea!

[Snacks]

we listen to ABC playground radio

Ooo, AJP, is that national do you think?