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Original poster

15month old-what afternoon activities?

20 replies

abenstille · 19/01/2011 15:13

Im a sahm to dd(15mths.) Just wondered what kind of activities can I do with her in late afternoon - she slepps 12 -3ish? All the toddler groups seem to be in the morning, the childrens centres finish at around 3, my local libraries are often not open, it's winter and my village is very patchy with footpaths so don't always like to push the buggy around them. I've tried the soft play centre type of places but they're pretty noisy and expensive to do regularly.
My DP doesnt get home until 9pm most nights and I find if we stay in 3pm until7pm(bedtime) is a mixture of some nice playing, lots of frustration from dd, me attempting to tidy/clean the house, then having to do it all again at bedtime.
I love being with her, but I find late afternoon/early evening a bit of a chore and would prefer for us to be out somewhere!!
Any ideas would be appreciated Smile

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lovemybabas · 19/01/2011 15:16

Ack, tell me about it! And we don't have a TV either. I tend to do some sort of art / craft thing on the kitchen table so I can get on with cooking dinner too. We play in the garden if it's nice or make cushion mountains. Will def be subbing for other ideas though...

aPixieInMyCaramelLatte · 19/01/2011 15:38

Building towers with blocks then knocking them down, then building towers with blocks then knocking them down then build.... Well you get the idea lol.

Reading, puzzles, arts and crafty bits at the table, gluing/sticking kind of thing. Getting waterproofs on and splashing around in the garden on wet days and wrapping up warm and going for a walk around the park on cold but dry day's, making dens under the table and eating a picnic dinner/snack under it, piling all duvets and pillows on floor and diving into them, putting music on and dancing, helping with the housework (let him wipe doors with a damp cloth/loading washing machine etc) big bowl of water on kitchen/bathroom floor and loads of plastic cups etc to play in, helping bake cakes/biscuits,

That's all I can think of right now that my ds enjoyed at that age and still does now.

witchwithallthetrimmings · 19/01/2011 15:44

just go out for a walk, no buggy. Find sticks to splash in puddles. Get a bag and collect leaves. Find an open space and let him wander off.

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aPixieInMyCaramelLatte · 19/01/2011 15:46

I have to say that ds's favourite is wrapping up, going for a walk and collecting twigs, leaves etc then coming home for a warm drink and sticking his leaves and twigs to coloured paper.

This is great because he's occupied while I'm making dinner.

tholeon · 19/01/2011 16:23

my toddler loves it when I blow bubbles for him. And when we listen to his 'wheels on the bus' cd. Over and over again... Plus he 'helps' with the housework, which means of course it takes much longer, but it keeps him busy... Plus of course there's always CBeebies...

Tgger · 19/01/2011 20:23

I would get out the house just for short time sometimes. Do you have a car?

Do you have Mummy friends? THis is clearly the time for you guys to have a play-date!!!! Much more fun to chat to adult, drink tea and give the littleys some attention at the same time.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 19/01/2011 20:42

DD is 17mo and loves walking outside with her wellies on. Sometimes I just run around the garden with her or push her around the patio in her trike.

I also try to rotate her toys so one afternoon I might 'encourage' HappyLand, next day jigsaws, next day music etc so we both have some variety. All toys are available to her but she'll play with whatever I start getting out of the box.

DD does watch Cbeebies although I try to time it to a few good programes. Gives DD a bit of chill time and I can get on with some house jobs knowing she's unlikely to be climbing on her chair/toybox/garage!!

I've yet to try baking with DD but I'm going to give it a whirl on the run up to Easter (maybe doing our own Easter eggs). I think I might take a page out of my CM's book and attempt a theme for a week or two to give us more focus.

mistressploppy · 19/01/2011 20:50

We have this problem too. My list of places to go in the afternoons is:

Walk/toddle to the post office and buy chocolate buttons
Park
Garden centre
Garden centre cafe (it's got a play area)
Swimming
Tesco Blush
Early Learning Centre (pretending to buy stuff - Blush again)

...and round to friends' houses to play with their toys for a change!

Original poster
abenstille · 19/01/2011 21:04

Thanks everyone- thats given me loads of ideas!!
Shes still a bit of an unsteady walker I think for spashing in puddles - still in cruisers and no wellies yet...
Also, shes not really into the craft thing (I am and would love her to be!) but still putting paintbrush and crayons in her mouth and is basically bored of it after about 2 or 3 minutes.
Im loving dens under the table (though she constantly bashes her head when she stands up [sigh])
ha ha ha at early learning centre - hadnt though of that either (my nearest is about 20 miles away) though think I'll be trying it Grin
Keep 'em coming!

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Sirzy · 19/01/2011 21:04

I have got DS (14 months) and aqua draw which he loves.

Some other great suggestions here I will be stealing!

tholeon · 19/01/2011 21:34

local pet shop is a good one if you've got one..

and looking for local dogs to accost and pat...(safe ones, of course before anyone queries!)

Original poster
abenstille · 19/01/2011 22:46

Great , my dd loves dogs too, must get her an aquadraw [skilks away to look on ebay...]
these ideas are great!

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abenstille · 19/01/2011 23:06

sorry - slinks!

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saltasaltasanta · 19/01/2011 23:20

Supermarket, cafe, park, museums.

Get a baby rucksack and put her in it while you

a) do the housework or
b) go for a walk

We go to the supermarket most days to pick up a couple of things. The kids know all the cleaners and security guards, and all the people on the three block walk there and back. We say hello to our friends on the way.

I am truly astounded that the supermarkets are not always full of children. Maybe they are, just not here (I live abroad).

PS it also depends on your child. DS never played at home until we got him a garage at 17 months. DD is very happy pottering around pulling books off the shelves.

PPS DH gets home at 9 as well. It's rubbish, isn't it.

MardyBra · 19/01/2011 23:22

Garden centre - especially if they have animals or fish for sale.

MardyBra · 19/01/2011 23:23

Sorry - only skim read and just realised already suggested

Original poster
abenstille · 20/01/2011 10:11

These are great, keep 'em coming! I think where I live is particularly child friendly (its a bit of a retirement village) and everything is a drive away. I was all set to go swimming with her this morning, but shes woken all grumpy, possibly still tired, and I cant face a melt down in the pool!

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Sirzy · 20/01/2011 10:32

I have just been on the Cbeebies website and printed off a load of colouring sheets for DS of his favourite characters which are good for quite time before bed!

mistressploppy · 20/01/2011 18:34

Actually, we found going to visit DH's grandmother in her dementia-care nursing home was brilliant; a totally safe space for DS to roam about in, and loads of delighted-if-dotty residents to dote on him! Great joy all round Grin

tholeon · 21/01/2011 09:55

ah that is nice mistressploppy!

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