How to Keep Toddler Busy

I have a book at home called The Toddler's Busy Book and it's literally hundreds of ideas of things to do with your toddler. there's some great ideas in there. Here's a link to amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Toddlers-Busy-Book-Trish-Kuffner/dp...

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.!
I *just* started a blog about this very topic! I used to be a Kindergarten teacher, but now I'm a stay at home Mommy and I really want to help other Moms find fun, educational, and simple activities to do with their children. Here's my link!

http://daisyandpear.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think! I'd love feedback/ideas. :)
C.

1 mom found this helpful

If you're looking for a playgroup check out www.meetup.com for something in your area.

Make up a little 'busy box' that he can ask for when he's looking for something to do. Fill it w/ sticker sheets, post-it notes, a little notebook, etc and tuck it away somewhere safe. My 4 year old niece loves to play "homework" with all of her stationary supplies.

Another activity is to make a piece of artwork or a card for a chronically ill child on www.makeachildsmile.org. It will take up some time and teach your child compassion for others.

Soon the weather will be nice and you can play outside or go to the park. My GF always kept her newborn in a snuggly carrier while she was outside w/ her toddler. Best wishes!

Play-doh with cookie cutters(I have a homemade recipe if you'd like it, which you can refrigerate for up to a month and throw away), coloring books, puzzles, a visit to the library for books to read, children's movies to watch together. These are a few ways you could spend some time with your son while you're home with him. I realize you'll be needing to nap too, but if you find convenient times you could fill in with some of these activities that the two of you might enjoy.

I have tons of ideas, I'll try to come back and add some wehn i have time, but for right now. consider your local library, you can just take him and let him look at all the books he wants and then ... this sounds bad, Leave them mess there... I just mean you can stack them and the librarian will reshelve them, not that you can trash the place. Also check into the special programs they might have like story time etc.

If you need 20 minutes of sanity, plop him in the tub and as long as you can see him for safety reasons that frees you up to nurse the baby or what ever you need to do. Try adding food coloring or letting him finger paint with shaving cream on the sides of the tub, Adding ice cubes would be cool for him to play with too.

Good Luck, oh and now would be a great time to make friends with any other preschool friend's moms invite them over for a playdate if he is still going part time ask if the preschool will let you volunteer, most don't mind newborns coming with.

I think being able to give him little gifts/rewards during the week, when ever he does something thoughtful might help. You could wrap up something that he hasn't seen in a while that has been buried in the bottom of the toy box or buy him some new things from the dollar store, or exchange with a friend.

I love getting my kids books on tape from the library, kept them quiet but wasn't as bad for their little brains as TV.

Anysort of art projects like was suggeted before, playdough, glue sticks and paper, scissors and toysrus ads, I like the paint by water books that Dollar General sometimes sells. Cornstarch goo is goo.

If you feel comfortable you could let him play educational games on the computer, I like fisherprice.com online games.

anyhow good luck.

www.starfall.com www.pbs.org www.bbc.org( goto cbeebeeies)
besides all that is written above.

Hi J.,

You will learn what to do to keep your toddler busy. Give your self time. Learning takes time for all concerned.

You are doing a great job. Don't worry. You'll learn.

All the Best. D.

Congratulations!!!!
You have gotten some GREAT suggestions here!! I second the "Toddler Busy Book". :)

Blocks, books, play doh, musical instruments, pots & pans, spoons, spatulas, balls, cars, etc! Toss beanbags into a basket, color, paints, make collages, dance! Enjoy this time with your kids. Good luck.

I had this same issue when my preemie twins came home from the hospital. They needed lots of time and attention, and although I had a helper my son still got the short end of the stick for the first few months. I noticed that our church preschool program had an opening for a 3 hour session and it was just what the doctor ordered. He got socializing time with other kids his age, did crafts and learned other things. It also gave me time with the girls. Actually, I asked the pastor and he introduced me to another family who lived nearby. My husband took him in each morning and the mom of the other family dropped him off. He started in March and went until May that year, but it was exactly what I needed until the girls' nursing patterns were down and they didn't need to be weighed before and after each feeding, and until we got used to their drug schedule and heart/apnea monitors.

Hi J. - Congratulations on your new baby girl!

I agree with the play-date idea, it will certainly expend some energy for your little guy. And it will give you a chance to catch up with a friend and chat.

Another thing you might consider is having a 10-12 year old come over as a Mother's Helper after school. I did this when my baby was newborn. I paid her $3 and hour to play with my son and keep him entertained while I was with the baby or when I caught up on housework - or sometimes I just sat there and watched. If you have a neighbor with an older child, they might like to start their babysitting career with your son, while you are still home to watch over them all.

Other things I do regularly with my 4 & 2 year old boys include: story time at our local library(free), walk the mall (free if I don't spend!)

AND, while at home when its just us, we do a lot of those Crayola Color Wonder kits at the kitchen table - mostly because I don't really trust my younger son with the stuff that can stain and make huge messes. Sometimes we use the hard core paint and markers too - but closely controlled with the younger one.

My boys also love to help Mommy clean the house. When I am cleaning the kitchen, they each get a paper towel with a spritz of all-purpose cleaner and they clean the fronts of my dishwasher, fridge and oven. I also let them 'help' while I cook - get Mommy the butter out of the fridge - they help mix things in a bowl etc, they will also help me sort clean laundry. Geez does it sound like I make my kids work too hard, LOL - they love it, I swear!

Enjoy your time off with your kids!

I've been using Letter Of The Week for the last couple years with my triplets. www.letteroftheweek.com It's a free program that sets up lesson plans for learning according to age and ability. You can tweak it to fit your child's needs and do it as basic or intense as you'd like. And best of all, it's free! You can go to their web site and choose a level that fits your child. Each level has a coordinating Yahoo group online you can join to ask for suggestions and share ideas. I've used this with my triplets and they've learned allot and keeps them busy.

Solo things for your child can be coloring with special coloring books he chooses, play-doh, magnadoodles (ask him to write letters or draw certain pictures, and special show times like the Leap Frog series. Preschool lap computers. How about signing him up for tumbling classes or even karate. Once the warm weather hits he'll be able to run off some energy and go for walks with you and baby. He could bring his bike. Be sure to include him with the baby, asking him to get things for you and praising him for being a great big brother.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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