What keeps your 2-3 year old busier than anything?

[belindarose]

Just about to have DC 2 and want to get DD a present. In particular, I'd like to get something to keep her very busy at crucial times. She's almost 3. Has dolls, bricks, farm set etc. Likes stickers, craft and drawing. Good fine motor skills. Loves books and has lots.

Any ideas? Thanks.

I just mean don't pin your hopes on anything only to be disappointed. What worked for me was having a small stash of treats - small toy cars (eg hot wheels £1.25 ones) and magazines/stickers for example - so when you're desperate you can whip something out. I did that and it kept ds happy for a while while I sorted out DD or wasn't able to get out due to crap weather.

Duplo Lego and play dough.
Colouring, the crayons "talk" to each other and not much gets coloured.

Emptying the toy cupboard and then basking proudly in the wreckage whilst watching cbeebies.

Apps like Peppa Pig, ITNG, and Night Night, if you have an iPod or similar are fab.

Tea sets get them to bring you a variety of treats to keep them busy whilst you are busy.

A paintbrush and a bucket of water. She 'painted' the garage door and fences for hours, then started again cos they'd dried

Not too young for Lego.

Lego keeps my 3 year old occupied for hours.

Duplo/megablocks where crap in comparison.

Also plain old paper and lots of colouring pencils.

decent sticker books will keep my 3 and 4yo's occupied for hours.

i second duplo and any small world stuff. ebay is very good.

DVDs, sticker books & colouring in stuff. After breakfast & lunch DD is allowed 20 - 30 mins of a CBeebies/DVD whilst I do some tidying up & then during feeds DD either sits next to me on the sofa doing stickers or colouring (she's got one of those lap trays to put her paper on). If she's happy playing, then we don't do the stickers/colouring but they are next me ready for boredom to strike.

Hama Beads. The ones that are larger sized are more suitable for 3 year olds. Will probably still need supervision though.

Outdoor playhouse wit toy kitchen, ironing board etc. (if you're willing to splash out)
DVDs
Toy shopping basket to wander round the house "shopping"
HappyLand

When all else fails, download Tozzle onto your iPod or iPad or whatever, ds goes bonkers for it and it is mildly educational! Either that or Shaun the Sheep. I can happily feed in peace for ages.