Activity ideas!

[KeepSmiling83]

My DD is 2.8 years and I have recently gone part time. I know this sounds silly but I'm struggling for things to do with her! She goes to nursery in the morning and I pick her up after lunch. What sorts of things do you do with your children? The weather isn't great so we can't get out lots so I'm looking for suggestions! Also, do you spend all your time playing/entertaining them? I always feels guilty when I check here on my phone because she hasn't got my full attention!

There's another thread a bit further down to try and get people's favourite activities with toddlers. Dd loves anything messy, spraying the floor/walls etc with a water spray and cleaning takes time as does baking, she feels very grown up helping me make beds, do washing etc. Dd doesn't play on her own much, if yours can be encouraged to, that's great.

Don't spend all your time entertaining her, it's good for them to play alone as well if you can encourage it. Especially for problem solving type things like a jigsaw or shape sorter kind of thing (probably a bit young for her now?) if she can work it out herself without you showing her how to do it and just an encouraging "Oh, never mind. Try again! :)" if she gets frustrated.

Get her involved with household tasks, that can be quite fun. Try combining two toys - can you make a slide for teddies out of train track for example? Go and explore outside especially if it's wet or cold. Gives it a different focus rather than just the park or a walk. Give her a camera and see what things she chooses to take pictures of.

Make arrangements to meet up with friends at their houses or yours, it means you get company and stops you from going insane! :)

get an all in one waterproof and wellies and toss her out into the garden

You don't need an expensive sand table, a long shallow lidded box from asda will be fab, add shells or cars, cups and a small jug or two. Fill with rice for a change. Or water once the weather warms up.

An old tennis racquet - tie some ribbons to the strings, she can practice threading without you needing to fork out for threading toys per se, great for fine motor skills

This kind of thing?