What to do with 18 month old?

amother

Sun, May 18 2008, 5:34 pm

Need some ideas of things to do with my 18 mnth old while stuck at home on a rainy day.

I already do coloring.
Tried baking, but she's too young.
I'm going to buy finger paints.

What else? Tired of reading books and playing lego.

Tehilla

Sun, May 18 2008, 5:36 pm

coins in a pushke
"helping" wash dishes
play dough
finger painting
easily manipulated stickers
putting things in the pantry/going "shopping"

what else...we do so much, I'm thinking!

thought of something else--putting beans in an empty spice container and making a "band" together, spoon & pot, etc

pinktichel

Sun, May 18 2008, 5:38 pm

Tehilla wrote:

coins in a pushke
"helping" wash dishes
play dough
finger painting
easily manipulated stickers
putting things in the pantry/going "shopping"

what else...we do so much, I'm thinking!

funny, we did the pushka thing this morning. She loved it!! I should do it more often.

Is play dough safe? Isn't she just going to want to eat it?

I like the sticker idea.

Magnets too.

Tehilla

Sun, May 18 2008, 5:40 pm

with play dough, it really depends on the kid.

also, sometimes I will combine my chores with them "helping." ie, give a child sized broom to the kid and let them sweep while I clean up, or give a diaper wipe/wet cloth while I wipe up.

flowerpower

Sun, May 18 2008, 6:35 pm

blocks
lego (she can take it apart)
ball -kicking, throwing....
hide and seek with an object. Put out three cups. Put an object under a cup and she has to remember which one you put it under.

zigi

Sun, May 18 2008, 8:13 pm

if she isn't allergic to peanut butter you can make peanut butter ballies its like edible play dough,
bubbles.
painting
shaving cream or whipped cream painting

MiracleMama

Sun, May 18 2008, 8:55 pm

You can always make edible play doh if you are worried about her eating it. There are many "recipes" online. We did it at one of our mommy and me classes and the kids loved it.

queen

Sun, May 18 2008, 9:03 pm

invite a friend over who has a child around the same age.... nice for you and kids. (they'll parallel play... but who cares!)

Mommastuff

Sun, May 18 2008, 9:09 pm

Am I the only one whose kid would eat all those things? Or make a mess I couldn't fix? or get bored of it in 2 minutes flat?

shopping in the cabinet works, but something always opens and spills out.

pinktichel

Sun, May 18 2008, 9:42 pm

queen wrote:

invite a friend over who has a child around the same age.... nice for you and kids. (they'll parallel play... but who cares!)

I try to do that, but it doesn't happen often enough. We're hopefully having one this week... we actually met thanks to Imamother!

Thanks for all your ideas e/o... keep them coming, please!

anonymom

Sun, May 18 2008, 10:11 pm

I got this battery operated bubble blower at walmart (in the baby section)
It has since stopped working but gave us many enjoyable hours in the bathtub.

Other bathtoys, cups, strainers, etc.

A plastic container full of beans they can pour and sift, just watch they dont throw or put in nose or mouth.

They make baby I Spy books which are great.

queen

Sun, May 18 2008, 10:27 pm

another idea is to find a local library that has a kids play area.... that kept us busy one day a week right through the winter months.....

mamacita

Mon, May 19 2008, 3:16 am

We sing and dance. There are lots of songs with hand motions that an 18mos can pick up. They are fun and silly! You can even start with the classic Head, shoulders, knees and toes for an educational spin. Smile