Hi Me and my ds spend a lot of time outside on the grass, reading books or playing. I try and keep the afternoon between arvo tea and dinner for some fun playtime with mummy- outside in the shade, or if it's rainy or cold or too hot I get out the blocks and balls inside and we play with them.
We've also got a inside tent and a crawl tunnel to play with, and a couple of beach balls. My mum babysat the other day and got out a sheet to play with- made tunnels under the furniture and what not.

In the morning I try to get stuff done. I will put on a dvd every now (so I fully understand your dvd guilt) and then but I seem to be in the kitchen most of the time and we have no tv in there. So to distract him, I'll give him Tupperware or platic spoons or pegs to play with.

In fact, he seems to prefer just playing with 'stuff' laying around the house to toys, ykwim? I've found he generally follows me around and no matter what room we're in he is happy to find something to play with.

Hmm- a bit ramblish but I hope it answers your question