A.R. asks from Quincy, MA on September 03, 2008
Seeking Suggestions for Activities Suitable and Fun for 14 Month Old
Hello,
I am having a hard time keeping my 14 month old occupied throughout the day. She has a decent amount of toys, lots of books, use of most of my pots & pans, and a few baby einstein videos. She started to walk about 3 weeks ago. The toys, etc that she does have and her joy in being able to walk around the house, keep her occupied on and off throughout the day; however, it seems to me that whenever we are in the house for several hours at a time, she gets bored. I do make a concerted effort to get out, visit friends, take her to class and run errands- so that we are both active during the day. I feel like she is at an age, while although she is learning new things every day, she is still too young to do many activities. I am looking for suggestions (age/level appropriate) to keep her busy and entertained at this toddler stage. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
More Answers
M.A. answers from Boston on September 03, 2008
start practicing making pictures. buy those crayola toddler things and paper and let her have fun. another thing you can do is play a game that teaches where the body parts are this teaches them where they are and what they are called also hand and eye coordination. if there is a store by you that sells school things you can get those abc posters and the numbers and shapes and colors too. there are match games for toddlers like dora and some other themes.
C.G. answers from Boston on September 05, 2008
not sure if she is still into dumping things out and putting them back in, but i used pour a box of old pasta(dry of course) into an bowl and i would give her measuring cups and a cupcake pan so that she could pour and dump. rice would be good too. she sat there on the kitchen floor for quite awhile because i just let her make a mess. dry pasta is soooo easy to sweep up. and very cheap!
L.M. answers from Boston on September 04, 2008
You didn't say where you live but a few suggestions are to look into your local library. They generally have baby lap sit for babies up to 18 months old and then story time for after that. Also in Arlington there is Together in Motion on Broadway. They have some 'open' play times that only cost $5.00 to go. The children's museum has a room for under age 3 kids with things to do. The aquarium has that big fish tank in the center and also the seals that are fun. The zoo's are fun to walk around and maybe even the science museum has a few things.
L. M
C.K. answers from Boston on September 04, 2008
I am also a stay at home mom without a car during the day. Like you my son has plenty of toys, ect. but gets bored if in the house too long during the day. I take him out every day even if it is just to walk around & "look" at things, pick up rocks off the ground, ect. He has a blast & he is also getting his Vitamin D (very important). I hate using sun block so I wait until about 3 ish to take him out. Also when my husband gets home if I need to do any errands I will take my son with me to get the heck out of the house. It is very important for them to get out and about. It will also help so your daughter does not have social issues when she gets older. Good luck!
L.M. answers from Boston on September 05, 2008
I can't remember the titles, but I KNOW there are books out filled with simple things to do. "101 things to do with your toddler" comes to mind. I read quite a few when my oldest was 2ish. Hit the library or internet and you'll find them. Some ideas I remember: Make an obstacle course out of cushions and furniture, play basketball with rolled up sox and the laundry basket, make 'peek-a-boo boxes' with things in them (cut a hole in the cover to put her hand in so she can feel things but not see them then try to guess what it is), hide her toy and play hide and seek, play sorting games- take some favorite toys and put all the red ones together- see if she can sort other ones correctly with you. Hope this helps. Just remember: The days are long But the years go fast!
Good luck!
L.
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