To want to manage the afternoons a bit better?

[Needmilk]

On the days I work, I’m generally home with DS by 4/430. He goes up for his bath at 630, so we have around two hours to fill.

He is generally a bit grumpy and tired after nursery (he is 2 in November) so actual structured activities are out, but he’s hard work at this time … how do others manage it?

*in to 🙄

Huge pile of good books, both of you on sofa, snuggle up with him and just read for as long as he'll sit with you for. Also find a good book of songs, nursery rhymes, finger rhymes etc and do those with him. You mighy find that after a long reading session snuggled up with you he's calmer and readier to potter and play while you do jobs. And it's a lovely family tradition to establish.

If he's the active type who can't sit still and look at books then garden or park instead.

Books
Colouring/drawing/mark making
Playdoh
Bubbles
Kick a ball around in the garden
Stickers
Duplo/magantiles/blocks
Google 'treasure basket', normally aimed at younger babies, but you can do an age/interest appropriate one for your DC
Get a messy play tray and fill with something that isn't too messy, dry rice is quite good.

The thing is you’re getting worst part of the day with him. All three of mine were tricky at that age at that time, whether they’d been to nursery or had the day with me. That’s why I suggested going to the shops or a bit of CBeebies. They’re often not fit for anything else. I used to put songs with signs on (YouTube) and we would do them together. Maybe just go for a walk near your house; autumn is a good time for that.

Play doh
Colouring
Jigsaws
Make a ‘den’
Bubbles

What about a plan? You say it's 3 days a week. One day is a walk, or a play in the park, or whatever (were coming up to conker and Acorn season- go hunting for the best ones! Or autumn leaf identification and kicking likes of leaves.

One day is craft after nursery. Painting, play doh or something.

And another is the library or a cafe for a hot chocolate and something to nibble on.

Sounds like you need some structure?

So activities until 5:30, get home, then there's an hour at home to potter and play until bath bed and stories.

Yup this!