Indoor activities for 16mth old?

Question

I'm due with baby#2 in a couple weeks, and I can't get out and around much anymore. I have an energetic 16mth old who takes his nap just before lunch, leaving me with an entire afternoon to keep him entertained. What are some games or things to do? he has tons of toys, and we play games together, read books, watch cartoons, but in the case he gets bored what can we do?

and yes he still gets tons of playtime outside, but thats when he's with his dad.

Answer 1

Have you tried playing music and letting him dance? Let him play with plastic containers and a plastic or wooden spoon. Get out some items with different textures and let him go through those. I would suggest a container of leaves, ziplock bag of water, etc. Find things that are new and they will be interesting. My daughter loves to dance and talk.  

Answer 2

My son is 16 months old and he loves playing in his play tent, rolling a ball back and forth, playdough, scribbling with crayons, puzzles (the kind that have pieces you match up to the picture of like animals or shapes and things).  He also loves just sitting in the tub or a big laundry basket and playing with toys.

Get some musical toys like a drum, tambourine, xylophone, whistles that are bigger for small kids and let them make music. My son loves this and exploring with different instruments.

Answer 3

Maybe make a fort with blankets and chairs.  We do this at our house using a spot where 2 of our couches come together.  You can make it like it's a camping trip with a lantern or flashlight, etc.  Or play hide and seek with a toy.  Hide the toy and then help him find it (make sure he can see it a little bit).  You could also try to make a short playdate with someone around his age.  That's good for him anyways.

Answer 4

one of the best things I bought was a playhut.  It folds down really small but instead of bringing out blankets or sheets to make a fort you just pop it open. My daughter would pretend it was her house or her castle, sit inside and play with her tea set or even take a nap in it. Gave me a little break.

Answer 5

you could get water color paints - wash up easy

play dough- buy or make it yourself. I actually like the homemade play dough for younger kids it easier to mush.

She is ready to color and draw on paper

let her play with shaving cream on the walls of the bathtub or at the kitchen table

decorate cookies

have a puppet show

put on some kids music and dance