Toddler activity ideas

bumpuser5078523

Help! Logan is driving me nuts and I need some ideas to keep him busy. He is into everything he knows he's not supposed to and if I don't figure something out, we won't make it through winter.

He's 1 1/2 and a busy boy. I have tried coloring, but he just eats the markers/crayons/colored pencils because he knows he's not supposed to. I put fabric scraps in a wipes case and he pulls them out once and he's done. He doesn't put them back in. He didn't like finger painting, but I haven't tried lately.

Also, I don't know how to get him to behave. He gets into stuff all.day.long! And he knows better. Flicking/swatting his hand doesn't work. He remembers and goes right back when I try to distract him with something else. I have been doing time out after a warning, where I make him sit for thirty seconds to a minute and I tell him why he's there. I started that Sunday, so it's still new. So far it's not working. Help!

PS- He started this before Anders was born, so it's not all because of him. Logan does get jealous when I nurse, though.

flummadiddle85

DS1 is pretty busy too. He loves puzzles, books, and cars. I think ITK Was the one to suggest getting sample paint chips for him to match to the same colored paper. He's all over that, and you can do he same with shapes. Taking caps off of things (markers, CJs samples). He is working on zippers too. We go get a new batch of books from the library ever so often,so we don't get bored with them. While I nurse #2, I just sit on the floor with the Boppy and play with #1. Ihaven't 't had any jealousy issues over nursin, but DS1 will still nurse at nap time and bedtime. So that might help over here. I try to get out once a day somewhere in the morning. And the afternoon I try to take him outside to play.

flummadiddle85

And the discipline is not going well here either. Most of the time he's not too bad, but he is definitely starting to test limits it seems. I feel like I need a little time out chair, but I don't know what to use. Ad DH and I had yet another argument over the weekend when it comes to time out length. So far we've both just tried to hold him in our lap, which only seems to make I'm scream and kick. And idon't think it's been very effective so far.... Both our boys are close in age. This whole 2u2 thing can be exhausting at times.

flummadiddle85

Oh, I do try to let DS "help" with things too. Burp the baby, hug the baby, give him a paci, push his stroller, pick things up for me, etc. and he absolutely loves the dustpan when I sweep. Like, all out tantrum if he can't hold the dustpan when I sweep.

flummadiddle85

esd said:

@flummadiddle85‌ - I'm on mobile so I can't see how old your oldest is but I have found that time outs don't work until at least 2. They're just too young to get it. And as far as length, it's 1 minute per year. So a 2 year old gets a 2 minute time out. The big kids each have a pottery barn kids oversized anywhere chair that we use for time outs.

I don't do them often. But have tried for things like, repeatedly trying to kick me, or repeatedly ignoring me when I tell him no, I keep them brief, and try to hug and kiss him afterwards too when I try to simply explain something. DH tries to go far too long with the time outs, and then gets mad at me when I tell him it's been long enough.

bumpuser5078523

@flummadiddle85‌ It sounds like our kids are twins!

I understand this is typical behavior for an 18 month old, but I'm getting really frustrated and I need help.

It's starting to effect Anders also. (The poor kid is fed, changed and mostly sits in his rock n play, which was okay when he slept all day. Now he is starting to stay awake more, and I feel horrible.) I have been putting a lot of effort into making sure Logan gets enough attention and I don't want him to resent Anders. I always put him first, unless im nursing, but it doesn't seem to matter.

He will hit Anders with a toy and say "ow!" or he will get into something he isn't supposed to and say "no no no". He does it for attention and it's not like he's neglected.

I praise the crap out of him when he listens or does something helpful.

I could rotate his toys, I forgot about that trick. We live in a smaller city, so there aren't a ton of activities and some are expensive. I am asking the in-laws for a membership to the children's museum for Christmas for the boys. I want to take him swimming, but with Anders, it's going to be way too difficult. One of those water slings would be needed. We have a play area at the mall I can take him to more.

He loves stacking things and putting things back together. Loves my pots and pans and Tupperware drawer. That's a huge mess, but if he is entertained for a bit, I can deal with it.
Oh gosh. The toilet! Ugh. He also is into the trash and diaper pail. I close the bathroom door but sometimes he gets it open (sliding pocket door without a lock)

I thought about a special toy for when im nursing. I'm not sure what it should be. I'm going to look at Ross and see if anything would work. He plays with the thermometer for diaper changes and it's been a life saver!

Sorry this got so long. I didn't want to ignore anyone, and im trying to explain what I have tried so far so I can get suggestions. I'm not trying to shoot down anyone's ideas!

bumpuser5078523

I should try playdoh. I haven't because I'm sure he will eat it, but it's worth a shot! I like playing with it too!

KLXVI

@doeie04 My RA from college has a blog about sensory activities for all ages of kids.  Some of them are pretty messy, but you might get some ideas for keeping your older son busy.

https://www.funathomewithkids.com/search/label/toddler

bumpuser5078523

He won't it still long enough to watch TV, which is kind of a good thing, but would be nice once and a while. He will watch it if I pull his high chair into the living room and put him in it. He is starting to show more interest slowly.

I would love to have him help cook dinner, which is also a difficult time of day. He's tired and super clingy. How do you have them help, but teach them to stay away from things? It seems like it would confuse him? I had to put a lock on the stove because he would step on the drawer and pull on the handle, opening the stove. Good thing it was off.

bumpuser5078523

Stringy, what show? Logan loves any and all music. I have yet to find a show that isn't completely dumb that has a lot of music. He loves Clifford and Curious George, also, but I'm getting bored of those.

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TJ1979

Chickypoo2468 said:

We have these too https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0671317741?pc_redir=1413619251&robot_redir=1 There's lots of easy ideas. There's random sites floating around with the same ideas.

There are ideas?  On the internet?

TJ1979

Sorry MK.

bumpuser5078523

I think I might make him a quiet book with zippers and stuff. I don't know where I will find the time to make it, but it would be cool!

bumpuser5078523

I am also going to make him playdoh today. And I found some busy stuff on Amazon so I don't forget.

flummadiddle85

If I want to go to the bathroom or something to keep him occupied, I'll show him a song from Super Simple Songs on YouTube. I also tend to wear #2 a good chunk of the day. I an keep up with #1, #2 stays happy and will either check everything out or sleep. Plus I think it counts as tummy time. So I don't feel like I ignore either boy for the other all the time. We're also starting story time next month at the library.

flummadiddle85

And maybe not quite twins. It sounds like your older one may be having a harder time with the baby. I don't know why, but DS1 is generally a great big brother. I can only hope it stays that way. It can be exhausting to keep him busy all day with a baby around tho.

Brandiewine11

I found a doll on amazon with buttons, zippers, buckles, etc that my niece loved. There is a Facebook page called the imagination tree with a lot of really cool things you can make for him...activity stuff that is cheap.

bumpuser5078523

I made play dough and he liked it! Yay! He tried to eat it a few times, but it had vinegar in it, so he didn't like it. Haha.