Seeking Activities for a HIGH Energy, Spirited 2 Year Old Indoors

Hi H.,
I know I am a little late in responding, and I realize you are looking for indoor activities but...just in case you may be interested in a great outdoor activity I love Cosley Animal Zoo in Wheaton. It is so much fun! it is a little petting zoo where kids can run around and just let loose and it is free!!!. In the summer I will pack a lunch and go, in the winter and fall I bundle the girls up, grab a hot chocolate and enjoy the holiday decorations. (the local girl & boy scouts decorate scarecrows and Christmas trees). I live in Plainfield so the drive is about 45-50 minutes.
Hope this helps!
M.

The McDonald's in Lemont is very nice and there are a lot of other McDonald's too. We're not big fast-food eaters but the occasional splurge on their french fries was always fun and going to McDonald's was always a way to burn off energy. We also were always involved in library programs, for free (again..Lemont, but I'm sure Bolingbrook offers many). Their programs weren't just about reading....sometimes playing games, crafts and singing and dancing to music. Also, park district programs...the short mommy 'n me programs were nice and a great way to meet other kids and moms. My kids were always very active too and my husband travelled a lot. And...some days you just can't get it together! Just make sure you keep that network of friends and family going. Good luck.

The Bolingbrook park district....specifically the main building next to Pelican Harbor has an indoor playset that is free...its called the imagination station.

Also....a lot of people I know have Brookfield zoo memberships and with that comes free passes.....so if you know anyone that might have one it doesn't hurt to ask.

The Morton arboretum childrens garden has discounted admission on Wednesdays....I've been known to bundle up my little one even in the winter.

Gymquest has open gym in Plainfield on certain days....I think its only $7.00.

good luck!

My middle child is a very high spirited little one too. She loves to go to McDonald's playland on rainy days. Try going early before it gets crowded, I think it opens at nine. I usually just get a cup of coffee and she runs around. My park district also has an open gym two days a week all winter, I think it's two dollars a visit. If you can find the money, try getting her into gymnastics. It has been wonderful for my daughter. You will find as she gets older she will get better, at least mine has she is now 3-1/2. The best thing for those spirited ones is a good schedule. When we do something out of the ordinary or something goes too long she usually gets wound up and crazy. She can not sit still, literally she can't, she is always moving even if it is just her foot. I also find talking to her in a quite voice makes her stop so she can hear me. Lucky for me me oldest and youngest are quite kids. Good luck and hang in there!

Have you tried the Toddler time at the Joliet Public Library Black road Branch?It is in a room (door closed ) so she can run around. It is about a half hour of songs stories and bubbles at the end. My active ones can sit still in this because they see the other kids doing it.

Also try turning on some kiddies cds and dance and sing. it really tires out mine :)

I'd try a mini trampoline for those times you can't get out. The have them with bars to hold onto for little kids. Also, there are several tv games you can buy that kids can exercise and dance to.

perhaps the library has free story time. Plainfield library does... or they have play areas within the children's section of the library, and computers too. Perhaps you can play on the computer with her. Coloring or playdough at home is fun. The malls have playareas that are free. parks are still fun in the fall, just bundle up. Take simple walks and discover the ants on the sidewalk...Playdates with friends are good. THe park district offers classes for her age to go with you ... good luck. I also have an almost 2 year old, but she is not that "spirited: pretty mellow actually. But my son was pretty active at that age.

Look in you park ditrict guide. They usually have a list of free activities. Also I like to take my kids to the mall (Fox Valley). The play things are free, plus during Christmas time you never miss a sale!

As a parent of a "spirited" child and daycare provider, I can tell you that high energy now isn't necessarily a bad thing later. They do taper off at a point, and that energy turns into drive and ambition.

My kids were both pretty high energy at 2 and I found that dance parties in th eliving room worked great. We would blast the CDs (bob th ebuilder, seasame street, madonna, elvis, whatever) and would dance dance dance. I would add ribbons or a scarf to twirl around while boogying and they loved it.
Also, cover the floor or table with a $1 plastic tablecloth from Jewel and break out the playdough or finger paints. Kids just love being messy and 2 year olds love to feel the textures btwn there fingers (and toes).

I would take my son (and still do at times...he's almost 5 but hates being pent up) to the play areas in the malls around us. They get to be with other kids and it just gives them something to do....