Ideas to occupy a 3yo for the afternoon (I am 40 wks pg)

[beela]

Help?!

We're off to a playgroup this morning but can anyone supply me with ideas for this afternoon? DS is very energetic and active but I just can't keep up with him on a scooter etc at the moment. I need ideas which involve him running around and burning off easter eggs energy and I sit still.

All of our friends seem to be away or have other plans today so pairing him up with another 3yo while the mums supervise doesn't seem to be an option on this occasion.

soft play?

As long as he doesn't expect me to go climbing up there with him! It's still school hols here at the moment though so I would tend to avoid.

Make an assault course for him and "time" how long it takes him to go around and say things like "I bet you can't go faster than that" and "that one was slower. Can you go as fast as you did earlier" to keep him on the pace and maximise exhaustion. Our assault course normally involves a lap of the dining table, slithering under the dining table, another lap of the dining table, hopping across the sitting room, star jumps back again and then jumping from one mark to another on the floor (marks made by putting some Lego or something on the floor), another lap of the dining table & then jumping across the sitting room with a small ball or balloon between knees. If DP is in charge, you get to leap onto the sofa at the very end too. The DC love this and it does wear them out on a rainy day.
If outside, treat him as a puppy & get a ball and play fetch. DD loves it and I even managed to do it whilst sitting bfing DC2.

Find a couple of empty big boxes at a supermarket for him to play boats/cars etc in?

Buy a pack of balloons (and a pump!) and let him run riot with them.

Play "hide the thimble".

Make a den with chairs and sheets; let him have a picnic in it.

Thank you - you've reminded me of a 'hunt the x' game (e.g. 'go and find me something blue' ' go and find me something smaller than your hand') - I could certainly direct that from the sofa too!

The assault course sounds like fun too

Tv/dvd?

Let him play in the garden whilst you have a cup of tea supervise (assuming of course that you have a safe, enclosed garden and it's not slinging it down)?

make a den and give him some books, small toys and a torch. He could also have a picnic in there.

Bake buns or cakes and then eat them?