I'm running out of things to do with my son while we're stuck inside........

@kblakley (247)
Loveland, Ohio
February 26, 2008 9:09pm CST
Does anyone have any ideas on indoor activities for toddlers. I have a 2 yr old and during these winter months we don't get to go places much and i'm running out of ideas of things to do with him. I also have a 4 month old which doesn't help the situation, she hates her car seat and new places, so we're really stuck at home and we're both going insane.......any ideas. Please help.
1 person likes this
9 responses
• Canada
27 Feb 08
you could sit and watch a movie/tv show together, draw pictures together. you could play games on the computer with him. or if you have a game system you could sit and play it together. you could sit with him and the two of you play with the baby together. you could have him help you hold the bottle when feeding the baby. i'm having the same issues as you are. my son is almost 3 (in may) and my baby girl with be 5 months old on friday, so i'm just trying to think what we've done. you could always either go to a friends house to play or come to you for the little ones to play together. thats what a neighbour and i do. we get tired of sitting at home so one of us puts the coffee on and we go to the others house and let the bigger kids play while we sit with the itty bitty babies and enjoy a cup of coffee while having adult talking time.
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@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
28 Feb 08
I've done the movie thing......he only sits for so long. We tried the computer and game system thing, but he's still too young......I think I need to get better games. He is my little helper with the baby, but somedays he's not so interested. I did make a play date for next week.....lets just hope the baby is up to it. She's my biggest issue because she consumes so much of me, she's so "needy" Thanks for the tips!!
@dangnabit67 (2021)
• United States
27 Feb 08
Let he/she? help you make pop cycles/cup cakes. Have your own pot and pan band. Chase each other through the house/hide-n-seek. When you need time to do little things around the house pop in a disney movie. For the baby do you have a play pen or swing or walker? My kids like each of those. But I had to use them at certain times. Im not sure why your stuck indoors? Do you have a friend with kids/play date? Car rides?
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@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
27 Feb 08
I'm stuck because my 4 month old hates to go anywhere and cries the entire time we're gone, so going places with her and the 2 yr old is really rough. I'm hoping she'll grow out of it soon. She's a "needy" baby, she was born 6 wks early.
• United States
27 Feb 08
Do you have anyone/relative that your baby could stay with for a day or two? That might help her get used to other people for when you might want to go out.
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@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
28 Feb 08
I really wish I did.
• United States
27 Feb 08
LOL, I was recently in this dilemna. Me and my three year old are thrilled that spring is finally showing up here in Los Angeles! Lets see: 1. You can make playdough together (search the web for like 10,000 different ways to do it. 2. You can bake cookies together. 3. Print out fun coloring pages for him to color. 4. You can turn on the radio and have a dance a thon 5. You can find some little pots (or bowls), fill with dirt, and put some seeds in the dirt. (watch and see if they grow!) 6. You can use shaving cream and use it to finger paint on colored construction paper. 7. You can get a soft ball and play catch. Hmmm this is all I've got right now, but if I think of more, I will let you know! Good luck!
@Deea48 (1166)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Instead of shaving cream, use pudding then there is now worry of hm putting his fingers in his mouth. While painting.
@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
28 Feb 08
I've never heard of the shaving cream and construction paper.....I'll have to try that, I'm sure he'll think its fun....Thanks
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
27 Feb 08
Here is an article with some suggestions. http://www.helium.com/tm/773982/rainy-outside-other-exercise In addition, even if it is pretty cold out, bundle up and go for a quick walk. Unless it's bitter cold or windy, a few minutes outside are a good idea and can make a world of difference.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Feb 08
What about holding her in a sling or infant carrier and wrapping her in a blanket? Or you could undo your coat and wrap it around her. If it is just for a quick 5 or 10 minute walk, she may actually enjoy it if you are holding her.
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@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
28 Feb 08
The only problem I have with going outside is my baby. She's 4 months and hates the car seat and her coat and I'm sure she'll cry the entire time.
• Philippines
27 Feb 08
My 2 year old loves coloring books. She also loves playing with play dough although I have to keep a close eye on her whenever she plays with it for fear she might chomp a piece from it. Maybe you can try these.
@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
28 Feb 08
We've done the coloring books.....I even went and go the Wonder Color because he likes to draw on other things and with that the markers only work on the wonder color paper. I haven't done the play dough, I may try that one......Thanks
• United States
28 Feb 08
I have a 26 month old boy (and a three month old) and I kinda have the same problem. The greatest thing I have found is Thomas the Train. My son loves the whole gang in the dvd's. I went on Ebay and bought a comparitively cheap lot of a bunch of the wooden versions of the toys and bought another auction for compatible track. Oh my God, the best purchases ever! We have spent hours each day since playing with this. We arrange the track differently every couple days to keep it fresh. The baby has his swing right next to us and watches everything plus he gets to hold an engine his brother gives him. Ebay or the like is the way to go for purchasing. Instead of $6-$10 each I paid about $2 each train. The track was an incredible bargain too.
@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
28 Feb 08
Thank you, I never though of that. My son is really into Thomas also, although I think he's finally tired of the videos, but he has two trains now that we play with all the time, getting the track would be alot of fun, probably for all of us.
• United States
27 Feb 08
I see you put up a picture. If you are the one with the camera how about making a home made book of your children's day. For example your toddler brushing his teeth, eating lunch, playing with his favorite toy. Perhaps put the pictures page by page in order from when he first wakes up till he goes to bed maybe kneeling beside his bed saying his prayers. Then when he's older you can get that out and show him how happy he use to be.
@kblakley (247)
• Loveland, Ohio
27 Feb 08
That's a really good idea.....Thank You!
@asgtswife04 (2475)
• United States
27 Feb 08
i have a two year old as well and when it's cold outside we do things like read books together, chase each other through the house, play hide and seek, take a nap...lol! There are plenty of things to do...you could also put cookie dough out and let him help you make cookies. it's messy but it's so much fun to watch them try and make them. you could color in coloring books, get him to help you pick up. they always find that fun and you better enjoy that because after they get to a certain age it's like pulling teeth to get them to clean. LOL! hope this helped some. God bless
@Deea48 (1166)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Two of the games my kids liked the most were puzzels and building blocks, we would play for ever with either of them. Then when they were older, for Xmas I would always get a 1000 peice puzzle for us to do together during xmas break. Memory cards are fun for that age too.
1 person likes this