Looking for Something to Do After Nap Other than the Usual

Maybe you are so busy stimulating him all the time he doesn't know how to just explore and play on his own? Watch PBS for 30 minutes? Really, I had a toddler and a baby in a condo and took them out and about a lot but they also knew how to chill and just play on their own. I would work on THAT.

POOL!! I have found this to be the most effective way of tuckering children. :) Our local community center has an indoor pool and we love it. We use it year round and I do believe that the reason my kids are such proficient swimmers (both are well beyond their years in swimming) is simply because we just went to the pool all. the. time!

Our facility has family shower rooms so we shower off and usually change into our pajamas right there! I either pack snacks/dinner or we go home and eat right away.

Other than that, I would say do some nature hikes. My kids love that. It's nice to just wander the trail and look at all the bugs, animals, trees, etc.

We also like any and all local festivals. The only problem with these is they can get expensive, but look for ones that you might really like or ones that focus on kids and have bounce houses, etc.

Also, look for places like Pump It Up or other local bounce house places. Most of them have Open Play on weekends and that is really a place for the kid to get tuckered and the parents can just sit and watch.

Do you have a nearby zoo? We have a zoo membership and whenever I want to wear out the kids (and myself!) we just head down to the zoo for the afternoon.

Raking leaves. Tending a garden.

Kids do not become as bored as we do with going to the playground over and over again. You can read a book while he runs around, swings, climbs etc..

Hiking. Not long hikes, but fun creeks, trails etc.

Libraries usually have Sunday hours starting in the fall. Try larger libraries beyond your own town. Besides the public playgrounds, try elementary schools which have open playgrounds that can only be used on the weekends (beyond school hours).

Fire house - unless they are in the middle of a call, most firefighters welcome children so they feel warmly and trusting around firehouse personnel. Ours lets the kids climb in the engine, sit behind the wheel, work the lights (no sirens), try on masks and helmets, etc. Same goes for the ambulance - and that helps if ever a child should need to be transported. Take home baked goodies, a pot of chili, or veggies/dip especially for the night shift. Let your little one help in the morning, take a nap, and then go deliver it in the afternoon. You can also take goodies to the police - ours will sometimes talk to kids about the importance of seat belts and bike helmets too.

Nature areas - nothing like a hike to wear out a kid as well as develop an appreciation of nature. Check with Audubon and other land preservation groups for open sanctuaries. Most will allow a picnic if you carry out everything you carry in. Collect a few leaves for crafts, pine cones for peanut butter bird feeders, rocks that can be washed, allowed to dry and painted (great paperweights for grandparents).

Animal shelters sometimes want people to socialize with the animals - you'll have to ask if they welcome kids because many animals are under stress. Still, many need to be walked so they get a break from their pens, and if you have experience with pets, they may allow you to do this. You can also collect old towels and blankets (ask your condo neighbors) or go to garage sales for dog dishes and other accessories, and deliver these items to the shelter. If you start out with donations, they'll think very kindly of you!

Seasonal farms, apple picking, pick-your-own pumpkins? Be sure the pumpkin places don't have scary Halloween displays though.

Do you have a buddy with similar aged kids who you can do exchanges with? I had that.. I would babysit Friday evenings with a pal and she babysat Saturday evenings. Our boys loved it.

We take them to the YMCA and let them swim. We just hang out in the pool while they burn lots of energy.

Pumpkin patch or apple orchard nearby? Nature center?

Not sure where ya live but those indoor trampoline places are a lot of fun and I do not ever jump with them. Inviting a friend can help if they he likes interacting with a buddy when playing. I think doing something with a buddy really helps at the age of 3. Or signing up for classes like gymnastics or karate that you can watch and they enjoy and learn are fun too.

We called it the "pigeon treadmill". I would find two trees not far from each other in a safe area. I would then put day old bits of bagel, or other bread that required some work on the part of the birds (they couldn't just peck it and fly off). The birds would set to eating in one area. My kid would chase them away, or "try to feed them too." then they would land under the other tree. He did nothing but run and squeal for about 25/30 minutes (no exaggeration). I could sit and read.

Swinging by himself, superman style, on his belly.

Sand with shovels and tools.

Sweeping & cleaning baseboards. raking.

vaccuming (with a dirt devil).

Best,
F. B.

Look for a place like PB & Jacks near you:) The ine near us in on Main St in Fairfax. Its a indoorplay area but the kids play, they have a few teachers & childcare workers while parents can sit at tables. They have wifi, coffee, few snacks & sandwiches(extra $$). So I've gone when no friends are able to babysit & had a break. Unfortunately you can't leave, do have to stay in the building & no outside food b/c of allergies.
Maybe take a short hike & then go to a Caribou Coffed to chill? They usually have toybox in the back so parents can have coffee & kids can play?
Good Luck
P

Try an indoor swimming pool? Great exercise!

This is the season for corn mazes!

As others have mentioned, swimming is the best way to tire a kid out!

You want to wear out the kid but not yourselves?

Have you considered taking one of those dog leashes on a stake and just let him run in circles while you sit around? I ask because beyond that and exhausted kid means exhausted parents. So yeah, you are asking the impossible.

Still look how little their legs are. Walking will wear them out a lot faster than you so go for a walk somewhere different. Around here we have parks that have trails that run along the bluffs of the Mississippi. So beautiful this time of year with the leaves changing. Probably would only have to walk a mile to wear out a three year old.