Rainy day ideas needed..........

[goingpotty]

Can anyone help? I have a 20mth old DD who I am finding increasing difficult to entertain on rainy days. We go out for walks in all weathers but I desperately need ideas for inside. She loves drawing and reading books but there's only so much of that we can do. I think she would love crafty things but I'm not really sure what is suitable for her age? Are there any good books that anyone can recommend?

[expatinscotland]

Play do! Washable paints. Washable crayons.

One of those tent things to chase her in and out off.

Paste/pritt stick and things. Stickers.

[amynnixmum]

play dough is always a big favourite in our house.
Also music and dancing. Finger painting is a good one for that age too.

[goingpotty]

Play-dough - I used to love that myself!!
Thanks for the ideas. I hope I don't sound like a useless Mum but I finding this age a funny 'in between' age.

[bootsmonkey]

Stickers - deffo - kept my DD amused for hours. You do tend to get covered in them tho' or go to the shops with assorted Pooh & tweenies on your clothing. Also they stick to your socks and you walk them through the house. They turn up again in the most surprising places!

It is a hard age as there is so much they can't yet do independently. Scibbling and paints kept her amused. And a bowl of water and various pots to dip, pour, wash. Optional straw to blow bubbles, tho' hard to stop her drinking it! Depends how much mess you can stand.

Reading books was ALWAYS a favourite. Tea party with the toys - can include dinner/lunch.

Running and chasing was also a favourite and hide and seek. Hiding toys to find was an alternative.

HTH - I was often at a loss what to do. If in doubt get out - shopping centre, swimming, etc...

[wavingordrowning]

What about making the play dough? Very simple and your daughter can do all the stirring etc and choose the colour. Then you have all the fun of playing with it afterwards. There is a very good book series of books "The Toddler's Busy Book" and "The Pre-Schoolers' Busy Book" which you can get on Amazon. Full of cheap ideas like edible Xmas tree decorations; washing the money in mummy's purse etc. etc. etc.

[bootsmonkey]

My DD was also fascinated by money. Sorting pennies, dropping them into a jar, getting them out, etc.

For ages - make sure they have stopped putting everything in their mouth first though!

[Saacsmum]

It is often really helpful to have a rainy day box of toys, and activities that only come out on rainy days. This gives them a novelty factora nd makes them really special. Also try making huts with blankets and having picnics etc in the hut or setting up some pillows etc and create an obstacle course for her to crawl under, climb over etc, often they really miss the gross motor activities they can do outside when they are stuck inside.

[goingpotty]

Thanks so much everyone - you've given me some great ideas. Although the weathers lovely at the moment it'll be back to doom and gloom again soon so these will all be really helpful.

Thank you ;-)