How to engage 18mo in craft/messy play - or other ideas?

[PPL]

I really want my DS to enjoy doing and making things with me like I did with my mum. I'm not sure if he's just not old enough yet, or if he's just not that kind of boy.

I can't get him to sit still for long enough to get paint on the brushes let alone the paper. He seems to have fun for a split second and then he's off. Can't contain the mess even with a huge tarpaulin on the floor.

Is this normal for this age and can you suggest any ideas of things to do that might engage him. Have tried play dough - he did quite like that and returned to it a few times but only very briefly. He'll grab a crayon and do a few scribbles but then decides crayons are egret in his belly.

People have suggested baking but I just don't see how that would work just yet. Plus he ha a sweet enough tooth as it is!

Maybe am expecting too much of his age...

Thanks in advance.

My little boy is exactly the same!! Really think boys of this age just seem to struggle to stay focused on anything for anytime. But then maybe we are expecting too much. He does enjoy it for a few seconds! But then he's off!

My 18mo DS is similar. I've taken him to an art/messy play session where they have 5/6 tables with different activities. He hasn't got patience to paint (except painting the table!) or make models but likes:

• water tray (with toys & sieves etc)
• sticky paper on wall, spider in the middle, bits of string to stick on to make a web
• sand tray
• decorating cupcakes (chucking sprinkles on them)
• playing with small textured things (pasta, rice, sequins, ribbons etc)
• sticking things on to a cardboard mask - I put glue on the mask, then gave him bits to stick on it (throw at it) - bits of coloured paper, ribbon, sequins etc
• stickers etc

Don't know if that helps at all?

I love putting different weird textured stuff in bowls and watching DS go mad with it.

Last time was marshmallow fluff and cornflakes, by the end his hands were stuck to his legs.

If you can't get him to sit still then in a highchair at the table? With bowls of paint and bits?

Put him in the bath with homemade edible paint (custard and a bit of food colouring) let him paint the bath, then hose down if needed. Have a look at theimaginationtree for loads more great ideas for homemade messy play. She's an ex primary school teacher brimming with ideas.

Those are good ideas. My 22 month DS doesn't like sitting still long enough to paint or do more than the briefest of scribbles, but does like glitter and cooking. I sometimes give him a bowl of water with some washing up liquid in it and a whisk and he loves to make bubbles.

I would love to do crafty stuff with my 20month old DS, but he isn't interested. He loves stacking and counting the play doh pots but is totally uninterested in the contents. He'll scribble for a few minutes and then moves on....I'm not worried about messy play - he's the sort of boy who could get grubby in a sterile room. I'm hoping as he gets older he'll get a bit more patience (so takes after his father with his lack of this!) and we could sit down and make things. I'm guessing its a temperament thing....

Rather young for painting. Some toddlers can by this age, but a great many won't get it.

Perfect for playdough (don't let him eat it!), splashing toys in the bath.

I have 2 DSs who never drew a thing until after 4th birthday & rapidly became quite good artists; don't despair.

Thanks for all the replys. I guess he's just too you g - good to hear he's not unsual. He is totally unfazed by dirt/mess so am not worried about that side of thins - just the crafty stuff that I'm looking forward to doing with him. We had a good 10mins with the play doh yesterday, although as soon as I leave him to it he stops too - thinks I'm off to do something far more interesting so he wats to follow!

I love the whisk and bubble idea, thanks, and imagination tree looks great.

Will have to be patient for the pretty pictures!