What do you do with LO for fun?

Telly21182

Ty hasn't been interested in playing with his toys lately and I feel like he's getting so bored with us.  It hasn't been so bad during the week because it's only a few hours trying to entertain him.  And honestly, I'm just letting him get away with too much right now because it's keeping him happy (pulling pots and pans out of the cabinet while I'm cooking, tossing ALL of my utensils down the stairs, etc...

However, this weekend was rough because it felt like nothing was keeping him occupied.  I'm not a fun mommy and need ideas.  I have a lot pinned on Pinterest, but I feel like most of it is for older kids.

This weekend I think we're going to the zoo so that'll take up time and hopefully entertain him, but clearly we can't do that 24/7!

Suggestions? 

Jills83

Sometimes the best thing for Vito is setting him loose in our yard.  I let him walk around and lead the way.  He likes to explore and walk up and down the sidewalk looking at our neighbors' houses. 

I'm not much of a "fun mommy" either.  We generally go out to breakfast, run errands, and get together with family on weekends.  If we are home we play outside or with his toys and I don't do anything special. 

kellymacc

I have the Toddler Busy Book which has been fantastic for finding activities at home to do. So far we've done:

No-Bake Banana cookies: (crush up graham crackers in a bag and drop sliced bananas in and shake) DS loved making them, but wouldn't eat them.

Pudding paint: Chocolate pudding and paper. We do this outside on the deck in a diaper. He LOVES this. 

Tissue Box: I filled an empty wipes container with tissue paper and loves pulling it out through the hole and then opening and closing the cover and stuffing it back in. Also shredding it . . .

I'm planning on making a "wave bottle" in the near future.

On hot days he loves his little pool and I let him play with the hose while he's in the pool and running around the backyard.

I also keep a box full of empty containers & other household items that he loves to play with while I make dinner or lunch sometimes (empty peanut butter jar with a screw top lid, empty coffee can, an empty baby shoe box, dry un-cooked pasta, clothespins, paper towel rolls).

I usually take him out for a big outing in the mornings (only one of the following per morning) There are 3 nice playgrounds in town, the lake (at my parents it's 5 minutes from us), the splash park, on a rainy day the playspace at the mall, to the Mill (it's a big picnic/nature area with a working Mill) and to "feed the ducks" there is an area in town with a gazebo that overlooks water and a TON of ducks to go feed. And there are 2 wading pools in town as well - they don't open until noon though so they are an after nap activity.

I like to keep us busy : ) I hope that helps and I'm always looking for new stuff so I'm excited to see what everyone else posts.

 

Telly21182

kellymacc:

I have the Toddler Busy Book which has been fantastic for finding activities at home to do. So far we've done:

No-Bake Banana cookies: (crush up graham crackers in a bag and drop sliced bananas in and shake) DS loved making them, but wouldn't eat them.

Pudding paint: Chocolate pudding and paper. We do this outside on the deck in a diaper. He LOVES this. 

Tissue Box: I filled an empty wipes container with tissue paper and loves pulling it out through the hole and then opening and closing the cover and stuffing it back in. Also shredding it . . .

I'm planning on making a "wave bottle" in the near future.

On hot days he loves his little pool and I let him play with the hose while he's in the pool and running around the backyard.

I also keep a box full of empty containers & other household items that he loves to play with while I make dinner or lunch sometimes (empty peanut butter jar with a screw top lid, empty coffee can, an empty baby shoe box, dry un-cooked pasta, clothespins, paper towel rolls).

I usually take him out for a big outing in the mornings (only one of the following per morning) There are 3 nice playgrounds in town, the lake (at my parents it's 5 minutes from us), the splash park, on a rainy day the playspace at the mall, to the Mill (it's a big picnic/nature area with a working Mill) and to "feed the ducks" there is an area in town with a gazebo that overlooks water and a TON of ducks to go feed. And there are 2 wading pools in town as well - they don't open until noon though so they are an after nap activity.

I like to keep us busy : ) I hope that helps and I'm always looking for new stuff so I'm excited to see what everyone else posts.

 

I love some of these ideas!  Thanks so much! 

cvl105

Callie loves her water table! Do you have one of these?  I know daycare has one inside too and puts pasta in it for them to play with sometimes.

Do you have any instruments for him...like a piano, xylophone, etc? Callie loves banging on things. If you don't...get a wooden/plastic spoon and some tupperware out!

Sunidaze

kellymacc:

I have the Toddler Busy Book which has been fantastic for finding activities at home to do. So far we've done:

No-Bake Banana cookies: (crush up graham crackers in a bag and drop sliced bananas in and shake) DS loved making them, but wouldn't eat them.

Pudding paint: Chocolate pudding and paper. We do this outside on the deck in a diaper. He LOVES this. 

Tissue Box: I filled an empty wipes container with tissue paper and loves pulling it out through the hole and then opening and closing the cover and stuffing it back in. Also shredding it . . .

I'm planning on making a "wave bottle" in the near future.

On hot days he loves his little pool and I let him play with the hose while he's in the pool and running around the backyard.

I also keep a box full of empty containers & other household items that he loves to play with while I make dinner or lunch sometimes (empty peanut butter jar with a screw top lid, empty coffee can, an empty baby shoe box, dry un-cooked pasta, clothespins, paper towel rolls).

I usually take him out for a big outing in the mornings (only one of the following per morning) There are 3 nice playgrounds in town, the lake (at my parents it's 5 minutes from us), the splash park, on a rainy day the playspace at the mall, to the Mill (it's a big picnic/nature area with a working Mill) and to "feed the ducks" there is an area in town with a gazebo that overlooks water and a TON of ducks to go feed. And there are 2 wading pools in town as well - they don't open until noon though so they are an after nap activity.

I like to keep us busy : ) I hope that helps and I'm always looking for new stuff so I'm excited to see what everyone else posts.

 

I think I now need to invest in a busy book.  Thank you (I never would have thought such a thing existed)!

Jills83

cvl105:

Callie loves her water table! Do you have one of these?  I know daycare has one inside too and puts pasta in it for them to play with sometimes.

Do you have any instruments for him...like a piano, xylophone, etc? Callie loves banging on things. If you don't...get a wooden/plastic spoon and some tupperware out!

I love the water table too.  Ours is set up right outside our sliding door in the kitchen.  Sometimes while I prep dinner I will let him play on the deck with the water table and sand box.  It keeps him happy for at least 30 minutes.    (Disclaimer: our kitchen is small, I can see him the whole time, I promise I'm not a bad mommy that gives her kid water to play with and then walks away). 

wendy46001

Bell is into pillow piles these days.  So we take all the cushions off the sofa and make a big pillow pile for her to fall into.  She loves trying to climb it and flop onto it. 

Also we've been doing blanket tunnels (mostly between the sofa and coffee table) She runs around the table then crawls threw the tunnel.  Over and over again, I get tired just watching her.

 

kellymacc

Sunidaze:

kellymacc:

I have the Toddler Busy Book which has been fantastic for finding activities at home to do. So far we've done:

No-Bake Banana cookies: (crush up graham crackers in a bag and drop sliced bananas in and shake) DS loved making them, but wouldn't eat them.

Pudding paint: Chocolate pudding and paper. We do this outside on the deck in a diaper. He LOVES this. 

Tissue Box: I filled an empty wipes container with tissue paper and loves pulling it out through the hole and then opening and closing the cover and stuffing it back in. Also shredding it . . .

I'm planning on making a "wave bottle" in the near future.

On hot days he loves his little pool and I let him play with the hose while he's in the pool and running around the backyard.

I also keep a box full of empty containers & other household items that he loves to play with while I make dinner or lunch sometimes (empty peanut butter jar with a screw top lid, empty coffee can, an empty baby shoe box, dry un-cooked pasta, clothespins, paper towel rolls).

I usually take him out for a big outing in the mornings (only one of the following per morning) There are 3 nice playgrounds in town, the lake (at my parents it's 5 minutes from us), the splash park, on a rainy day the playspace at the mall, to the Mill (it's a big picnic/nature area with a working Mill) and to "feed the ducks" there is an area in town with a gazebo that overlooks water and a TON of ducks to go feed. And there are 2 wading pools in town as well - they don't open until noon though so they are an after nap activity.

I like to keep us busy : ) I hope that helps and I'm always looking for new stuff so I'm excited to see what everyone else posts.

 

I think I now need to invest in a busy book.  Thank you (I never would have thought such a thing existed)!

 

It's wonderful!! So many ideas - it's written by Trish Kuffner (Kushner?).

Telly21182

babysteps23:

OMG Someone admits they aren't a fun mommy and I can chime in!  I feel your pain.  And I let him get away with a ton too! Interested in replies! I feel like alot of activities are for older kids too!  Jr isn't much for interactive play yet.  Thank you for your honesty!  You brought my mommy guilt down a couple pegs!

Glad to help! 

MouseInLux

I have a few mum friends, we end up at a park once a week, a coffee morning once a week and sometimes a walk too. DD's still good at entertaining herself so I let her do that. She loves taking hats on and off so that's a game we play a lot, rice box is a hit. We swim once a week with my mum and she loves that.

If all else fails I give her a bath...no soap but she loves playing in there, that gives me a half hour at least!