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.

A large plastic storage container, dried pasta shapes/lentils, any old cups, small containers, tubes for scooping and pouring. Perhaps a few little animal characters if you’re feeling fancy (you could add these later if interest stars to wain).
It’s a little untidy, but easily cleaned up and guaranteed to keep a toddler entertained for ages.

Thanks for all your helpful hints.

At the moment, I am thinking of a little wooden black cab and London bus as a souvenir, as well as entertainment; a magic painting book (that idea was genius); and a light up bouncy ball. We have a long corridor with nothing breakable for indoor ball games!

A book would be nice too but I am guessing he may already have the classics like The Hungry Caterpillar, Dear Zoo etc. If anyone has any unusual book recommendations, especially ones with flaps, that would be good.

I quite liked the look of this First Sounds Lotto game but maybe just 2 is too young?

www.orchardtoys.com/buy/first-sounds-lotto-game_448.htm

My back up plans are constructing a big cardboard box and paper plate car, paper boats in the bath, recycling box skittles, braving the rain to pick some tomatoes, peas and strawberries, and wrapping the xylophone mallets in cotton wool

Schleich animals are a big hit here at the moment

You can get lift the flap books that have felt flaps as opposed to card ones, less destructible!

The Campbell "busy" books are great too where you can push/pull/slide bits of the book. Mine both really liked them and there are loads to choose from

Duplo and biscuits.

From what you have at home - Tupperware, things with lids, pastry brush, egg poacher, non breakable plate etc all in basket as ‘play kitchen’

We had success with a mahoosive cardboard box that came with garden chairs in it. We turned it on its side so the flaps made doors and DH cut windows both sides with the bread knife. DGC went in and out like Piglet's balloon, stowed stolen cushions in there, peered out of the windows and never got tired of it.

It was free and it didn't matter if it got wrecked. Failing that, give the child saucepans and a wooden spoon. It won't be as quiet...

Lift the flap books from Usborne: usborne.com/gb/books/browse-by-age/0-3-years

Sometimes the books for 3+ are also good, depending on the child's interests. usborne.com/gb/peep-inside-the-seashore-9781474943611

I got a book in Harrods called "The Royal babies' big red bus tour of London". It shows all the landmarks. (I was visiting btw, not trying to show off that I shop there 😂). It was for my 6yo but the 2yo likes it too.