Arrr help me with me 4 and 1 year olds

[helpineedajob]

Ds1(4.1) on his own I can entertain no problem. Ds2 (1.1) again on his own no problem.

I have the two together 2 full days and 3 half days a week on my own. I know they are my dc and it shouldn't be a problem, but I need your advice on how to keep them entertained together.

currently Ds1 watches too much TV while I play (stop ds2 emptying bins/climbing on tables) with ds2.

if I try to play with ds1 jigsaws/ train set/ Lego ds2 bulldozes through driving ds1 to a hissy fit.

any ideas of things I can do with both boys together?

Football or rolling the ball to each other
Finger puppets DS1 will enjoy tricking baby
Painting
Blocks, build a tower, knock it down
Cars
Bubbles
Superheroes

No idea btu wanted to say am in same position - I have 5,4 and 17 mth old dc and I can't really play with the older 2 due to dc3 aka as the wrecker

Thought of a few more
Making camps
Give the youngest the role of monster, build a city (blocks, cardboard boxes) let them destroy and you either play rescuing or saving the monster/ city.
Tickle fights
Throw them in the garden
HTH

My sister use to sit her eldest up at the table now and again for a few activities like Lego and jigsaws so little one didn't destroy everything all of the time...

thanks for the replies, I will be playing with bubbles and play dough tomorrow. figures crossed for a minimum tantrum day

Have 2 DS - when DS2 was 1 is was tricky -
pillow fights go down well
they have also done a game where they take all the cushions off the sofas and jump about but you might not to encourage that
stickers can be good
drawing with both at the table
Not painting in my view
get another 4 yo around so your DS1 has someone to play with

Savour it...DC1 will be at school soon and you will miss him!

But I do sympathise, my DC1 is nearly 5yo and DC2 is 18mo. It has got better as they get older, but at least it is only evenings/weekends now.

My 4yo has a playpen in one corner of the living room for the toys with small pieces.

We also have a big dining table so he can do jigsaws etc on there, though if I try to join him I get loud whinging from my 1yo.

I make the most of nap time, do baking, painting etc then and also put 4yo to bed later so we have some 1:1 time then.

It makes for a long day though, and I'm looking forward to him being at school in sept which will simplify things, though when he does a 9-3 day at preschool the late afternoon is hell with them both tired and whingy!