Rainy day ideas for 2 year old?

erindawn

Okay, the rain appears to have set in for a while.  My son is a kid in constant motion and bored easily.  Any ideas for things to do this week that don't involve just sitting and focusing for longer than about 10 minutes? 

Help!

~Lynchie~

I dont know where you're located, but our favorite things to do are the play place at the mall (bellevue sq is especially awesome), or kidsquest museum in factoria.

greenmtbride

Our son loves the indoor playgrounds that several cities have in our area. Mountlake Terrace and N. Kirkland are two thy come to mind. Check with the local rec departments. We also signed him up for a couple toddler classes through the Rec. The 2 yos are not expected to sit still so it is great. We also go outside and play in the rain!

cwhip77

Mall play areas, Kidsquest, kiddo gymnastics drop-in sessions if you want to go somewhere.

At home - do you have a big cardboard box?  We've taken those and made a playhouse, or a car.  I cut out the windows/doors/wheels and such, she helps tape them on and color the outsides.  With the car, afterwards you can put in a blanket and pillow and play a cartoon for a "drive-in". 

Decorate pumpkins with stickers or finger paint?

blueLu25

I saw a cute thing on Pinterest where you let them sit in the bathtub and paint it with water colors- then it just washes off! DS loved it!

StellaZ

Yep, right there with you.

# 1. My Blog - I list cheap and free activities every week - a lot of them are indoor this season.

# 2. This article: ParentMap: Rainy Day Recess, 50 Great Places for Playing Inside

# 3. Pinterest - join! It has a TON of activities. Feel free to follow my Arts& Crafts board

WatchPot

blueLu25:

I saw a cute thing on Pinterest where you let them sit in the bathtub and paint it with water colors- then it just washes off! DS loved it!

This and also painting with food on cookie sheets or wax paper.  Apple sauce, yogurt, ect...

We love to go on walks in the rain and stomp puddles, look for treasure, go to a toy store and play with toys there.  DS actualy was fine at that age to not want everything but just enjoy the toys there. 

StellaZ

WatchPot:

...go to a toy store and play with toys there.  DS actualy was fine at that age to not want everything but just enjoy the toys there. 

This! It's likely a short lived phase but we enjoy this still too. Also, PET STORES = ZOO in their mind. Birds, lizards, Frogs, Guinea Pigs, Dog Toys (lol) - a great free outing.

tfarabians

Check out your local community center for indoor play times.  Its usually about $3 to go and they have toys and area for the kids to run and have fun!

Maddimom

The pet store is M's favorite place right now. Its fun watching her get so happy over a rat

blueLu25

Maddimom:

The pet store is M's favorite place right now. Its fun watching her get so happy over a rat

Lol! 

braveangel2

StellaZ:

WatchPot:

...go to a toy store and play with toys there.  DS actualy was fine at that age to not want everything but just enjoy the toys there. 

This! It's likely a short lived phase but we enjoy this still too. Also, PET STORES = ZOO in their mind. Birds, lizards, Frogs, Guinea Pigs, Dog Toys (lol) - a great free outing.

When E was crawling, but not walking I let her loose in Fred Meyer in the early AM. She could get her wiggles out w/o getting too dirty. I had contemplated taking her walker there.

I also loved taking her to the toy part of the Mount Vernon Co-op - it was all hands on, even though it's small. We both love that place, and there's food to boot.

I echo the suggestion of Pinterest. I'm pinning a bunch of stuff on how to keep little ones preoccupied. StellaZ is awesome at actually doing these things and I loved the one of the pipe cleaners in a strainer. Genius!

keri1013

Do I remember right that you are in the north end? If so, a membership to the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett is well worth the money. DS started really enjoying it around 2, and with a membership, I don't feel like we're wasting money if we only go for an hour or so. There is tons of stuff to do, or he can just run around in there and burn some energy.