I've recently discovered the joy of libraries and large shopping centres on hot days.

We have a couple of local libraries that are very kid friendly- they have these big foamy block things in the kids book section that can occupy DS for quite some time. And you can grab toys from their toy library to play with, and of course read books.

Shopping centres are another good one- DS gets pretty bored with being wheeled around, but our nearest big centre has these lovely big sofa things in the middle of the aisles that DS loves to play in and around while I watch the people. DS also likes to play on those little mini-ride things they have in shopping centres (the ones you are supposed to put money in)- its going to be our big secret that you are supposed to put money in!!

Um, what else? Oh, indoor play centres are quite good. From when DS was crawling I could take him to our nearest one, which has a special section for the littlies. Of course, the older kids tend to come in there too so you have to watch carefully, but its still great entertainment.

Like everyone else said, little splash pools are a great idea, but when I can't be bothered with that, I take DS's stacking cups out and fill them with water and let him play around with them- he adores that. I also had this big ladybug thing for when DS was about your daughter's age- he could sit/stand in it and turn around and it had all these things to play with. I would put cool water in the base where his feet were to keep him nice and cool and that was a big hit.

Hope that helps! I have to get out with DS most days- he goes a bit mental if he's just home alone with me all day!!