Tell me what toddlers like!

[chesirecat99]

We have a (just) 2 YO guest coming to dinner at the weekend. I anticipate that he will be overtired and over-excited after a day of sightseeing and I believe he has just mastered the art of the tantrum

It's been several decades since my DC were babies and I have forgotten everything I ever knew about toddlers. I have absolutely nothing to entertain him before/while we eat other than pencils and paper my walls and he doesn't like TV Although we do have a xylophone and piano but the neighbours may not thank me if I let him loose on those...

I was thinking of investing in a couple of small toys or a game and a book but what will hold a toddler's attention for a couple of hours, won't annoy the neighbours nor result in my home being destroyed?

I'm sure his DM will bring toys but I am banking on something new keeping him happy for longer. And I am quite looking forward to having a little visitor to spoil

AIBU to ask for your best toddler taming toys? Bonus points if it something that the adults might enjoy playing with too.

DS2 is 18m, he likes balls, lift the flap/board books, and pushing toy cars along and making "broom" noises, he also likes dinosaurs.

He has some very simple puzzles but he eats them.

Stickers, etcha sketch, lift the flap books, Peppa Pig figures (or paw patrol/octonauts etc).

what will hold a toddler's attention for a couple of hours

The answer to this will make someone’s fortune

DS will be 2 in October and he loves stacking cups, they're definitely the toy that occupies him for longest (not 2 hours though!).

Not two hours but longest attention holder here is water ones and a water colouring book. Bit like magic painting from when I was a kid but the water lives in a pen and not a cup to knock over!

Stickers, simple jigsaws, lift the flap books, kinetic sand are all things I've got in the cupboard ready for when my mum has to look after DD while we're in hospital having this baby, my DD is just over two. Oh, Duplo/megablocks as well but probably not as good on a cost per minute of attention basis 😂

Water pens not ones.

Home made playdough. Google no cook playdough recipe. Takes 5 minutes and doesn't break up and crumble like shop bought dough

Tupperware & dried pasta will keep my ds entertained for hours. He also loves any sort of vehicle.

Sticker book!

Light switches, high windows, smashable crockery, the hoover cord, the glass pan lids, door hinges and the nicely-stacked Tupperware drawer are all the big attractions in this house

Duct tape

Mine climb everything and want to pull down everything and eat everything. Except food. That gets flung.

Big chunky lego here would be the go to

Farm animals, cars, dinosaurs, stickers, colouring, plastic cups for stacking, mega blocks, puzzles…. Check your local charity shops you will probably be able to pick quite a few bits up.

Kinetic sand, play dough, stickers, magic water colouring books

Do you have a garden? Blowing bubbles always seems to go down well. Also Peppa Pig anything!

Matchbox cars, his Little Tykes car, a shopping trolley and fake fruit, watching Bluey on TV.

Mine likes to sinisterley stare at me whilst I shower whilst periodically putting the toilet seat up and down....

I honestly wouldn't waste money on new toys, toddlers will make toys out of your belongings just put anything breakable up high.

The piano and xylophone will be golden, if in doubt there's always cocomelon on the tv or do some easily cleaned mess play, cook a bunch of spaghetti and let them play with it on the floor on some clingfilm.

Just stick the bloody TV on! I love everyone else's enthusiasm but we all know its what keeps them quiet them longest 🤣 at that time at night he may be tired and overwhelmed. Don't get me wrong there are some lovely ideas here but they are not going to last 2 hours!

Tomy Hide & Squeeze Eggs. I thought it would be a waste of money but it is hours of entertainment and was only about £8.

Hide & Squeek

A loo roll

My 2 year old DD loves anything peppa pig, lift the flap books and dolls houses with lots of little people and animals. She also loves climbing everything, random leaflets that come through the door and anything she shouldn't have

Plastic bowl of water, paintbrush, and the garden fence/wall/patio keeps my DD nicely entertained. She does get grubby though.

I second the home made playdough suggestion. Can post a recipe if you want - you just need flour, salt, oil, cream of tartar, food colouring and boiling water to make it. Then crack out a rolling pin, couple of plastic bowls or plates, a blunt chopping instrument and that should do the job! I run a toddler group and the playdough table is always the most popular!

My 20 month old has been obsessed with anything with wheels since he was 11 months 😅. Also keyboards/ small musical toys, tins or anything they can bang.

Known as The Eggs of Doom in my NCT group, @clickychicky We lost an egg top during first lockdown, so I know it’s in the house somewhere. We lost a different chick down the back of the cot, and I cba to pull it away from the wall to get it back. Looking for another set in a charity shop!

My toddler loves cars, board books, diggers/dumper trucks, especially ones with motorised wheels that he can push along, balls, stacking cups, bubbles, and being chased / playing hide and seek.