What do you do to keep your nearly one-year olds entertained?

[RockabillyKitty]

My 11mo DS is almost walking and is very fond of steadying himself against the furniture. We've baby proofed the whole living room quite well but he's explored every inch of it now and wants to see more. I started letting him Climb the stairs, supervised of course! But now he wants to get in the kitchen which makes me petrified. I know we can put cupboard catches etc on but it's the floor that I'm worried about him smacking his head on until he can walk a bit better.

We also go to soft play places quite a lot but my mom says that's where he's getting lots of germs as he's had a lot of colds recently. Probably the season for it anyway. So in essence, any tips for things to do with him while he's at this curious but unbalanced stage and it's winter so can't use the garden?

They pick up germs every where this time of year, my Dts had a constant runny nose and cough at that age.

I would carry on with soft play tbh and play groups, the park.
We have hard floors in our house, did fall and bump their heads but they were always ok, I think by e time they are up and walking they are pretty much prepare physically for falls and tumbles.

Mother & toddler groups. Swimming. Music groups. Playdates?
At home.......we play crawling races all the time! Get a walker for Christmas, as this is the age where they love going up and down with one incessantly, and it strengthens all the muscles for actual walking.
Reading .......DGC adores books (as did his mother) and they are his first port of call when he is just playing quietly on the floor.

Its still all about constant interaction at this stage, as they do get frustrated so often.

...forgot to say, re the germs thing ....go to the groups! Little ones build healthy immune response by developing robust immune systems, and that only happens when the immune system is challenged (albeit at low levels, for preference). All babies catch colds! its normal.

Ive never understood this idea of 'keeping' a baby entertained. Surely the baby just gets on with whatever it's doing, wherever it is. It's not like he's thinking about how bored he his. Everything is interesting at that age. Do you mean places you can go to pass the time?

Also, what's this about not being able to use the garden in winter? When did that memo come out? you can use your garden all year round. Layers and waterproofs, wellies and a ball, digging toys, bubbles, collecting leaves, watching birds/cats, splashing in puddles.

Thanks guys, that was very quick! Lol SillyBilly, that memo didn't come out, I just mean he's still mainly crawling and our grass is so muddy. But I guess I hasn't thought about putting some scruffy clothes on and just letting him get dirty - I suppose I should get used to that!! But yeah, places to go and stuff that others do around the house. We have plenty of toys and books but he seems more interested in the house generally and I wondered if he just didn't like his toys much or if that was pretty normal.

Thanks FestiveLittleChristmas, might try swimming. Again got put off cos he's had a cold/sniffles every other week with teething. We had a walker but he ended up getting frustrated cos he couldn't move it much on the carpet. But his legs are stronger now so might re-try.

I the house he will be just as interested in whats behind the radiator as he would be in the toy that girl has at softplay. At that age they really do find everything interesting unless they are ill. Yes yes to getting scruffy/waterproofs on and letting him explore the garden in not so sunny weather. Lots of new sensations on his hands, wet grass, mud, sticky leaves, cold wind (that can be fun for a child if you show him you are enjoying it) rain falling on his boots or his hood, never mind snow!

Oh- if you have any concrete or paving slabs i. The garden he can 'draw' with chalks on it and watch it disappear when it rains.