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Original poster

What mundane things entertain your children?

105 replies

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 20:52

Ds (almost 2) has spent the past 25 minutes stood, face smooshed against the backdoor giving dh and I a running commentary about the pigeon in the garden.

"Pigeon fence!"
"In corner"
"Oh no pigeon... careful"
"Muuummmmyyyy, pigeon on shed, daddy it's fall"
"Night night Mr pigeon" as it flew away

I've never known a child to be so totally enamoured with the behaviour of a bird before...

So I'm asking what things that you would class as mundane/uninteresting held your children rapt for extended periods of time?

OP posts:
EishetChayil · 03/07/2021 23:03

My 10-month-old can entertain herself for ages ripping up kitchen roll. I have to watch her to make sure she doesn't eat it though.

marmitegirl01 · 03/07/2021 23:08

Mine loved going to IKEA. Like as much as an exciting day trip out. They still love it and are teens. 🤷‍♀️

Wherediditgo · 03/07/2021 23:10

That’s adorable OP!

My son is totally obsessed with the hoover. He unclips it all and points the bendy but at me whilst making ‘whooshing’ sounds

Wherediditgo · 03/07/2021 23:11

As an aside, that seems quite insightful for a two year old!

firstimemamma · 03/07/2021 23:11

My toddler is mesmerised by the dustbin lorry! "Look mummy, it's doing a tip tip! Hello dustbin man!" He's even asked for a dustbin lorry themed cake for his upcoming third birthday, I mean where do I begin with baking that?!

domesticslattern · 03/07/2021 23:14

So cute OP. What a poppet.
Both of my babies adored being held so they could turn light switches on and off. Smile

DxHxSx · 03/07/2021 23:14

Dog shows! Like crufts from YouTube. Its like small child crack as they gaze in total silence

Original poster
Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 23:21

@EishetChayil

My 10-month-old can entertain herself for ages ripping up kitchen roll. I have to watch her to make sure she doesn't eat it though.
Oh that's cute!! She's going to be great at papermache prep when she's older!
OP posts:
Original poster
Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 23:22

@marmitegirl01

Mine loved going to IKEA. Like as much as an exciting day trip out. They still love it and are teens. 🤷‍♀️
There is something about IKEA, dhs best friend and his gf are going tomorrow and she is super excited about it
OP posts:
Original poster
Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 23:24

@Wherediditgo

That’s adorable OP!

My son is totally obsessed with the hoover. He unclips it all and points the bendy but at me whilst making ‘whooshing’ sounds

That made me smile! We've got a Henry hoover and ds gets really grumpy if dh doesn't let him have a go with it, we got him a children's version for Christmas but he isn't interested
OP posts:
Original poster
Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 23:26

@firstimemamma

My toddler is mesmerised by the dustbin lorry! "Look mummy, it's doing a tip tip! Hello dustbin man!" He's even asked for a dustbin lorry themed cake for his upcoming third birthday, I mean where do I begin with baking that?!
Ohhh so sweet!!! I'd buy ready made cakes and rolling icing for ease, stack, carve ice and decorate? Might take a while, but hopefully you'll get something that resembles a bin lorry. I've got to make an elephant cake for his birthday Friday, I've done the above because I don't have time to bake too haha
OP posts:
Original poster
Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 23:27

@domesticslattern

So cute OP. What a poppet. Both of my babies adored being held so they could turn light switches on and off. Smile
Ahhh!!!!! I love that!!! We had to move ds' cot when he realised if he lent forward slightly he could play with his lights 🙈
OP posts:
Original poster
Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/07/2021 23:28

@DxHxSx

Dog shows! Like crufts from YouTube. Its like small child crack as they gaze in total silence
But dogs!!!! We have elephant videos from national geographic here, he loves it!
OP posts:
seething1234 · 03/07/2021 23:28

I got a dog clicker for our puppy.... my five year old will do just about anything to click it. Put on pjs.... CLICK.... brush teeth .... CLICK..... Puck up toys .... CLICK .... would highly recommend it

Changednameforthis2021 · 03/07/2021 23:34

My two year old has hours and hours of endless fun with a watering can

BunnyBerries · 03/07/2021 23:36

A packet of balloons.

I always thought these were for birthdays or special occasions.

But the length of time a balloon or two will entertain any child 2-4 years especially when they are multi coloured still amazes me. Watch Bluey for balloon game tips : )

shreddednips · 03/07/2021 23:37

Oh that's adorable Grin

My 2-year-old DS is really obsessed with going to the supermarket. I asked him earlier what he wanted to do tomorrow and he said 'maybe shopping a bit? Food, yo-yos and wine?' I said we did actually need to go to Aldi and he said 'ooooh, ALDI' in a delighted sort of way.

Should point out we're not constantly chugging the wine here- a waiter asked him if he'd like some as a joke and now he thinks all drinks are wine, which has left me with explaining to do on a few occasions.

StrongLegs · 03/07/2021 23:42

One time DH and I were starting to gather all the clothes pegs off the rotary drier in the garden and DS11 roared at us and said "Hey! You're hogging the pegs!" He was really furious. We stood back and let him gather them all and he was very happy about that.

He also was enchanted by all hoovers as a toddler, especially the roomba. One time our whole family spent a entire church service in the church cleaning cupboard with "Henry". That was not a highlight of my parenting years, I must admit.

Tearing newspaper was a big favourite.

This summer we have had a lot of commentary on which species of bird is having sex on the fence today. I may have started that. Blush Our birds have been very busy indeed.

alannabanana81 · 03/07/2021 23:42

mopping. oh mummy are you going to mop the floor? please can I help? and he runs off to get his "mopping socks" with grips. sge 5 and 3/4.

Susannahmoody · 03/07/2021 23:43

Dusting
Looking at caterpillars

Susannahmoody · 03/07/2021 23:44

Yes to ballons too

StrongLegs · 03/07/2021 23:44

We enjoy crufts too. But not in a healthy way tbh.

Changednameforthis2021 · 03/07/2021 23:50

Oh, and also loading the tumble dryer Grin

Kanaloa · 03/07/2021 23:51

Fish tanks. We had a dog (sadly passed on now) when the kids were smaller, and every trip to pets at home to get food/essentials was treated like a day out at Alton towers. They would even moan when I said it was time to stop staring at the fish tanks and go home.

IhateeverythingaboutMN · 03/07/2021 23:52

@marmitegirl01

Mine loved going to IKEA. Like as much as an exciting day trip out. They still love it and are teens. 🤷‍♀️
Your kids have good taste.

My DCs favourite hobby is collecting sticks. He's 8YO FFS.