Entertaining My Daughter

15 months was really hard for me. Even though my daighter was starting to do new and wonderful things, I was feeling bored-- and all my friends had finally gone back to work. It was early summer at the time so I joined a music class, gymboree class and a pool. It seemed a little desperate but I worked really hard to make new (and available) friends. Think about finding a "Mommy movie" or start taking your daughter to things that make YOU happy, like a museum or the library story time. Bring toys and snacks and just do your best. I also starting doing more art projects with my daughter-- crayons, paints, playdough etc. Buy (or look in the libray) for a guide to kiddie crafts. We ended up having a great summer. Then again, I put her in daycare three mornings a week at 18 months and finally got a break too!

N.

Your local library is a great place to visit, especially in the winter. Most have a toddler/infant story time, and many have a play area. I live near the Roseville Library and they have a great train table, puzzles, puppets, playhouse, and of course, great spots to sit and read books.

Another fun (free or practically free) things I do out of the house with my son are visit Como Park Zoo, they have nice greenhouses open in the winter, and the animals are there too (some are inside). There are also alot of indoor play areas around the metro (Woodbury has one, New Brighton has one, I am sure there are more), they cost a few dollars to get in, but it's nice to have a warm indoor area to run around.

Some inside things we do at home are reading books (we do this alot! - the library books are great for variety for mom), building things with blocks, and general household stuff. My son likes to help with laundry, it takes forever, but we have all day so I figure if he is entertained that is great. He also likes to help me clean. I give him a rag or a little broom whenever I am cleaning and he "helps".

We also do ECFE, and attend a weekly "drop in" and play with other kids his age in the same classroom where our ECFE class is. I HIGHLY recommend it. Not only does your daughter get some good playtime, but you get some parent interaction time too. Most classes have some planned activity for kids followed by a separation where parents leave the kids for a bit of adult time. IT"S GREAT!

Hope these ideas help.

Jess

Stay at home Mom to 21 month old Charlie and 6 week old Joseph

You can join a online moms group such as http://sahm.meetup.com/87/ or
http://sahm.meetup.com/114/

they have fun daily activities scheduled everyday. It is a great way for the kids to get together and play and for the moms to socialize

S.

try some craft things like: washable markers is she doesn't put in mouth-they really do wipe off everything.

playdough is also lots of fun.
rotate toys in/out so you don't get bored

children's museum in st.paul is a lot of fun for this age
the mall's have play areas for kids too , if you don't mind going there.

get a basket and fill it with books, reading is great pastime.

Shelley

Como Zoo is great and it's free! I take my 10 1/2 month old daughter just for an hour or so at a time and she seems to enjoy seeing all of the plant and animals (especially the monkeys!) There are plenty of indoor and outdoor things to see there.

Have you looked into ECFE classes in your neighborhood? It's a great way for your child to explore new things and may help you learn things your daughter enjoys that you may never have realized and also connects you with other local parents who can give you lots of ideas as well.

Hope this is helpful!

You could try and get into some ECFE classes. We have really enjoyed going to class. It gives us something to do every week and we can interact with other parents/kids. Also, many days it's not super cold. You could try and go for a walk or something. Just bundle up well and you'll be ok!

Look for a MOMS Club in your area. It's available to part-time or work from home moms as well as stay-at-home moms. I love it!
www.momsclub.org
Not all clubs have a website so you might have to email for information.

We have lots of "bin" activities to pull out one at a time -
Blocks, cars, toy story toys, puzzles, stacking cups.
I also have a larger bin that he can actualy sit in that I can change the contents - cotton balls (look like snow), blocks, packing foam, etc. I have a large old sheet that I can put down to minimize the mess.

I love it when we have playdates with other families, we rotate the home and sometimes serve eachother lunch - and usually we get great nappers that day.

Have fun!
J.

I take my kids to Southridge Mall. There's a nice play area in there for little ones. I make them go with me to at least one store first then we go play for an hour.

Dear L.,
Why is it that parents always assume they cant be outdoors with their kids in Winter? Your daughter is old enough, at age 15 months to be bundled up and taken outside to play. Certainly not in freezing tempetures but, we have had a pretty mild winter thus far... You and your daughter would very much enjoy a walk around the block or two one afternoon a week. I did it with my kids when they were little. Its nice to get out of the house and get a little fresh air, even at age 15 months!

C. M.

Schedule a day like at school. Wake up at 7:30, breakfast at 8. Outside play at 9:00. Snack at 10:00. Coloring and some crafts at 10:00. lunch at 11:30. Nap or quiet time at 12:00. Snack at 2:00. Errands or more outside play, free play until supper. It's easy. And, even if it's cold outside, the fresh air is good for kids. My daughter goes outside everyday and has since she was about 10 months old. (Except for when it's below 10 degrees) We just bundle up and you'd be amazed at how much fun you have too. We go to alot of playgrounds, even in our snowpants. We've become sort of spoiled because most of the time, there isn't anyone else there but us, so when we go and it's busy, we usually don't stay long. On those REALLY cold days, you could go to an indoor play yard, or a swimming pool, etc. Or, just have more playtime at home. There are so many things to do, but I've been told from my mom friends who stay home, that the key is having a schedule and sticking to it. Kids like routine so they nkow what's next. Good luck. Hope I helped.

My all time favorite thing to do with my kids at that age was (and still is) going to the library. Hennepin County libraries have storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. They are so much fun and are free! We also like to just go and play with the puppets and other toys and read books.
I am home with my kids part time too and I tried to schedule at least one 'field trip' per day...even the grocery store is an adventure to a little one.
A Moms Group would be a lot of fun for both of you. We haven't joined one yet but I think I should! Good luck!

*Toddler Tuesday at the Mall of America is always fun, they have lots of different activities for the kids, lots of people attend you might meet some new friends. You can also just walk around and get exercise.
*Play kid friendly music--my son and our daycare girl love when I put the music on. Let her bang on a pot with a wooden spoon or make instruments from things you find around the house. A plastic water bottle with bells in it is great fun.
*A lot of the libraries have toddler friendly activies--music, story time.
*Arts & crafts--do a google search for craft things you can do with her.
ECFE classes are great fun
**on February 23rd the Teddy Bear Band Kiddie Koncert will be held at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville its at 10:30-no registration is needed.
I don't get out to much right now with two little ones but we play lots of music, read stories and often times I will bring some of the toys in a different room of the house just so they have a change of scenery...plus it gives them a new space to explore. Good luck and hang in there...the sun will come!

If money isn't an issue or if it is here are my suggestions....
Go to the community center and go swimming

I'm from IGH and at Family Connections they have daytime classes for Moms and kids to interact

Go to the mall and walk-kids like people watching

Read a few books

In IGH at the Lincoln Center I think it is they have a place where they have an indoor playground

Go to the Children's Museum where they have a toddler room to explore

Color

Go to the Humane Society to look at the cats. The dog room is too loud unless you have ear plugs for your child

I purchased Signing Time DVD's and they teach my kid about sign language. If it's educational I don't mind TV

I just saw that you live down south from me.....maybe if they have a local gymnastics academy you could go there. Up in Duluth, there is a time specifically set for young ones (1-3 years old) and my son absolutely loves it and it is cheap as well.

I have the same problem and I am a full time stay at home mom. Have you tried going to indoor play parks or to the play areas in the mall? Also, she might be able to take pudding and some paper and make some art in her highchair. Or, get in the bathtub with her and pretend it's a pool and blow bubbles. Take a table and cover it with a blanket and pretend it's a fort with a flashlight. I agree it's hard to find things to keep them busy. Good luck.

M.

Loys of great suggestions here already. Just wanted to add that some malls, like Maplewood have indoor playa areas as well. ALso, I am often home with my 21 months old daughter. Depending on distance, I am always looking for new moms to meet if you are interested.
S.

Hi L., I've got a three year old and a 18 month old and stay home full time. We spend a lot of time with puppets, books, and water. My kids love to play with water. My youngest loves to splash in the sink and try to pour water from one thing into another.

We have also pulled some of our outdoor toys inside. We have a little teeter toter, a sit-n-spin and a bouncy ball.

To be honest I think it's easier for me as the three year old likes to entertain her brother, so It's not all me all the time. Good luck,

C.