To be at loss of things to do with my children over lockdown

[Readyforbedbysix]

It’s all getting a bit much for us in my house - DP is still working full time and I do one day a week, my children are 3 and 8 months. 3 year olds nursery is closed so they are both at home with me full time, and my work day is on the weekend so they will then be home with DP.
What are you all doing with your children? I’m really struggling to find things I can do with both of them, I have plenty of activities for 3 year old (slime, kinetic sand, bead bracelet making, painting etc etc) but find that if I sit with her to play then baby gets whingey, and if I let baby join in (in her high chair with a bit of slime or paint etc) then she just eats it 🤦🏻‍♀️. I would play with toddler while baby naps but by the time we’ve set up she’s awake again! We’re watching a lot of tv on the sofa at the moment but feeling guilty that they’re bored. DD1 has a tablet but I’m not letting her have it much as she gets “addicted”.

Keep going as you are. Play with new Christmas gifts? Picnic on the floor, build a fort/blankets everywhere, sofa on the floor to jump on? Put them in the bath, add custard and/or jelly, big mess, doesn't matter if they eat it!

I read a post on here someone tied string between two dining chairs and her LO had hours of fun pegging things to it, socks, dolls clothes etc.

Could your toddler play doctors with you and baby as patients, you both get to lie on the sofa

I personally would not put the pressure on yourself in terms of how much tv/ tablet time. It is hard for anyone in lockdown and I'm a believer in doing what needs to be done to get through the day.

I would try to structure the day a bit so breakfast/ lunch/ dinner at set times, get out of the house everyone morning or afternoon to the park. You could set up an activity for your eldest whilst they eat their lunch so that when your baby goes for a sleep it is ready to play straight away. Could your youngest sit in a highchair with some of her toys?

I'd recommend a tuff tray and joining some of the tuff tray idea groups on FB x

When my two were small I bought a mini bouncy castle. It inflates within minutes then you can pack it away again. We were lucky we had space for it. We used it for years one of the best things we ever bought.

I have similar ages but my baby has just turned one and is so wriggly that she can climb out of her high chair, so putting her in there is out.

We do a lot of fantasy games and den building while the baby toddles about and does her own thing, banging and crashing away!

Set the baby on a playmat with a few toys and do some number practice with your three year old. Count up to 20 but start at different points, go forwards and backwards. Practice 2d shapes or colours, only for 10 minute bursts but if you can manage that three times a day, that is great. Give the three year old time to colour in while you play with baby. Have an afternoon movie or show everyday so you get to relax too. Before dinner ypu could build dens, play hide and seek, do some kiddie yoga. I have a four and three year old and am doing a lot of the above. They also entertain themselves whilst I cook and clean.

Thanks everyone, I’ve sat my toddler down at the table to make necklaces and my baby is in her high chair playing Tomy eggs 😅 the tuff tray idea was a good one going to order one now. And yoga sounds good for my toddler before bed time!