Occupying Toddlers

ns1

Those of you with a baby and toddler, what are some of your go to's to occupy your toddlers?

I feel like DD is consuming way too much media!  At first with the baby I just felt ok giving the - well, I have a baby and a toddler excuse, but now it's still the same and I'm feeling bad.  DD is really bad at independent play, and about the only thing that will keep her occupied without my intervention is watching something on our surface or playing some games on the surface.  When DS is in his clingy phases like he is now, I feel like she gets a lot more time with media than she should, but I'm just not sure how to handle giving the baby the attention he needs and trying to occupy DD.  

LindsayB0505

We also have a lot more TV than I would like for my 3 year old.  I wish the weather was warmer.  We used to do lots of walks and going to the playground.  I bought a bunch of cheap new things from the dollar store - puzzles, colouring books, paints, crafts, etc. and bring out something new every few days to occupy her.

frasey

yeahhh same here... it was def easier when it was nicer. We try to get out of the house, to a play group, someone's house, have someone over, etc. Or else Id go INSANE. She has the attention span of a flea. She likes playdough lately, some new puzzles, and her stuffed animals. 

spinsoffresonance

DD1 watches way too much TV. She wakes up in the morning asks for Sesame Street, she watches it while I make lunch, while I nurse the baby, while I make dinner, while we clean up dinner, it's bad! I still try to take her out as much as possible. She has classes/activities every morning and after nap we got to the playground. I wear DD2 in the carrier and she'll take her morning nap and evening catnap in the carrier. I've been asking moms/nannies of 3 yo at the playground what they did last winter and most of them said they bundled up and went to the playground regardless of weather (we're in the city, no one has outdoor space). I'm planning on keeping up with the playground as long as it's above freezing. Once it's below freezing we'll see... It's weird going there in the dark now but it's still packed with kids every afternoon.