What do you do with your kiddos in the afternoon?

melaniedel · August 2014

My DS1 goes to camp three mornings a week, and will go to morning preschool in September. He and DS2 go wild in the afternoon if we do not get out of the house. Everything around us only has morning programs. Library, music classes, most gymboree classes (although two days there are late afternoons I squeeze in). The have a theaters class, but ts 4pm which is late. Any ideas? He does best with schedules and structured activities.

vlagrl29 · August 2014

We do nap time in the afternoon, usually from 2-4 if I'm lucky

Once she wakes up we usually just go outside in the front or backyard and play.

Mornings is when we do all of our activities because if we don't get out of the house she it like a tornado in the house. we go to the pool, splash pad, park, library. Or if we stay inside we do a structured activity like finger painting or making something easy like pudding pops.

Cherryblossoms07 · August 2014

We usually walk the dog and play outside in the afternoons. When it gets cold we use the dead time during the afternoon for tot "school" - we read a book and do a related craft or activity.

kcisthebombdotcom · August 2014

Zoo, park, bike rides, Children's museum, library,

JeffandLeslie · August 2014

She naps until 2ish and then we do snack and go to the gym. She plays at the childcare while I work out.

notreallyirish · August 2014

The afternoons are the hardest part of the day. DS1 does morning school but hasn't napped since before he was 2.5 so the afternoons seem never ending! I never know what time DH will be home either so it's hard to plan for activities and dinner times. Another obstacle is that once we are at home DS1 will whine if I suggest going back out. Once we actually get where we are going it usually gets better but he is pretty much determined to veto any plans but then complain about nothing to do (just like an adult!!!). Blurg. I'm reading these suggestions too.

joyfullyfound · August 2014

Usually we do an activity in the morning, home for lunch and nap, and then she's up by around 3:00. Then there's just a few hours before dinner, so we always get outside - go on a neighborhood walk, head to the playground, or play in the backyard. When the weather gets cooler, or it's raining, etc, I still get her outside as much as possible. If it just won't work then we do a planned arts & crafts activity indoors.

BloomingMomma · August 2014

It's good for kids to not be over structured. I set out playdoh or something open-ended, and involve kid in dinner prep. Research shows kids do better if they can learn to be bored at times. You sound too busy, which may be part of why your one child seems to be harder in afternoons to entertain.

catycate · August 2014

We don't have any structured activities in the afternoon, ever. It's a play date with friends who live super close or hanging out at our house. Art, walks, cooking. I love that downtime. DS also goes coo coo when he's bored, so I loosely plan things based on his interests at the time.

lexusolsen · August 2014

Do your kids hate it or do you? I hate just sitting at the park by myself when I have a million things to do at home. Can you invite someone to join you once a week?

I have been saving up toilet paper rolls and slowly dispersing them for art projects. This weekend we made a princess castle. We painted it together, washed up and then she played by herself. There are a ton of ideas on Pinterest.

I also try to save the play do sets (she has a couple of princess ones) for bored times like this.

orangegoggles · August 2014

I hate the time after nap. We usually have a snack and then I usually play outside, take him to the park, or run errands. Sometimes I will take him to the IL's to see them a bit.

melaniedel · August 2014

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I found bounce u, music class and museum in our area. I also decided to make activity boxes to pull out late afternoon. I guess I am getting worried about the time of day with a newborn.

KMommytobe · August 2014

I am 11wks pregnant and ms has been brutal this time around. We have spent a lot of time indoors lately which I feel horrible about! I am starting to feel better though and this thread has great ideas for the rest of the summer. My oldest starts preschool in Sept which will provide a little structure to our life which I am looking forward to

melaniedel · August 2014

Great suggestions ladies. Thank you. I will try lying down and reading. Foam blocks are good too. I have to pull those out. Like you said, a quiet activity is great idea and I'm king to need these soon. Thanks!

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