Activities for my extremely busy 20 month old?

Question

I need some ideas...I have an extremely busy 20 month old who I just cannot seem to keep occupied! If she's noyt content with what she's doing she'll get into everything she can get her hands on. I try to do things with her all the time, and we do things all the time, but it seems like the only time she's really content is when we go to hershey park or something away from home. I also have a 2 month old so taking her there all the time isn't always possible. Anyone have ideas for home or outside play that will keep her occupied? Either content with playing herself and/or with me?

Answer 1

Does she like the water?  My kids can keep busy for hours in a little wading pool with cups and bowls and barbies.    

Otherwise, check around your community for some postings about mom's clubs.  They usually organize a lot of  play dates that would encourage her to play with other peers and give you a break.

Answer 2

In some cities, there is a place called jumpzone. it's a place with inflatables like jump houses especially for younger kids (decorated with Dora, and other cartoons). You may or may not have one in your area, but if you do, there is a special toddler time for free jump. i just heard this from a friend, so i don't no if it costs $ or not.

Edit: i found the site http://www.jumpzoneparty.com/JumpZone_Op...



If you can't go,  you can try and find out what she likes. if she likes being outside, you can sign up for swimming lessons at a local red cross station or pool. If she likes to stay inside, try getting dolls or barbies or something she might like to play with. If she has friends , you can set up a playdate at the park. if you want to start teaching her responsibility, try setting up a list and tell her that if you are very good, you will get a star every day. when you get 5 stars, you get a special surprise. the surprise can be a cookie, a dinner out, ice cream, a field trip, a new toy, e.t.c. To get a star, she has to be nice, not get inyo anything, and use manners.

My friend found jumpzone and it kept all 3 of her under 5 kids happy. She also used her list.

I hope this helps!

                     - Tails

Answer 3

* Puzzles. Those BIG puzzles, she may not be able to put them together but she may be entertained by the pieces.

* Bubbles. Get an automatic bubble machine ( they are not very expensive) and let it run. Usually they have quite a blast running after a  bunch of bubbles!

*Card board boxes have ALWAYS been a favorite! For whatever reason most children like playing in cardboard boxes, ever see your child at Christmas playing with the boxes the toys came in??

* Make play dough. Mix 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 3 tablespoons oil, and 1 cup water together. Add food coloring for color

* Paint! Get an old white sheet that you will no longer use and let her paint it.

Try this website, they are great not only with activities, but everything else you can think of! lol

http://www.toddlertoddler.com/archivedac...

Answer 4

if you have a private back yard I would let her play out side. if you don't have one of those  small play area's I would get one they are so worth the investment. my daughter is 3 and she has one of the slide sets she loves it and it keeps her busy. I also bought her one of those out door tables so she can draw and play with clay dough. if she likes the water take her swimming if you have a pool or buy her one of those small blow up pools it's great espically since it's hot outside

Answer 5

get a sprinkler, let her water the outside flowers, give her some measuring cups at her high chair with rice to pour back and forth, give her some big girl responsabilities like getting the burp cloth for baby, give her a baby doll to be her baby that she can feed change etc. let her put her own toys away when she is done and praise her for it. give her some crayons or finger paint at her high chair. i like to do activities at the high chair so that my hands are free for baby but you can help her play while she is contained. pull her in a wagon while going for a walk with baby in the stroller. tell her to pick flowers for mommy-you will probably get grass like i do. make some kid friendly trail mix together and let her measure the raisins and teddy grahams then let her try her very own trail mix for those outings when you can go to the park. ive found that my kids loved to help from about 18 months to 3 years of age as long as you give them a lot of praise for it.

Answer 6

I work at a childcare center and as soon as the kids hit 36 months (3 years) they're in my group. I'm 21 years old and attending school for early childhood ed...

I have been working at the childcare center since I was 16 years old. I was promoted to having my own 3's group about a year ago, but before that I was in a group with 15-24 months old. And I KNOW that they can be VERY active!

Does she like water? Outside or even inside, do water play! the children that do like water seem to be able to play in it forever! With close supervision (doesnt take much to drown) set up a little water table inside for her. You can buy something (they have specific water tables) or you can just use a shallow bucket. Throw some towels on the floor and give her some cups, she'll have a blast! (Even bring one of those little turtle pools inside)

The kids LOVE playing with shaving cream (says non-toxic, but it can be dangerous - so supervision is required!) Perhaps you can put her in a high-chair (so that the mess is contained to the chair), squirt some on the tray and let her go at it! Give her some little toys to put in it (little people or something).

If you dont like the idea of shaving cream (becuase it can be dangerous)..I dont know how you feel about playing with food but my grandmother used to use pudding. She'd clean the tray really well, and put a spoon full of pudding on it. (Shes a former daycare teacher & has 18 grandkids. I'm the oldest at 21 and the youngest is 6 months!)....

I know everything i mentioned is MESSY but kids love to get MESSY!

You can also do playdough (again, close supervision! Home made playdough is best, made with non-toxic things. 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, about a teaspoon of vegetable oil - and i usually just eyeball the water..enough water to get it to 'playdough' consistancy."

SOMETHING NON MESSY and can be fun for you too...MUSIC! put on some music (doesnt have to be kid music) and dance! The toddlers at my work love music time! If you're up for some noise you can put some rice in an empty water bottle, super glue the top on, and you've made a fun instrument for your little girl. And the rice makes noise, but its 'quiet' noise.