Advice about 18 month old lunatic

[Addictedtocustardcreams]

18 month old DD is super active. I know they all are but she does seem to be even more so, my mum has said the same thing so I don't think it is just my imagination. Anyway at the moment I seem to be planning each day I am with her around what will make her physically tired out (I work part time). We go to toddler groups (where she is a bit of a nightmare and pushes all the other children so I am wondering if this is a good idea still), and in the nice weather to the park a lot (we do different things,play ball, feed the ducks, play in the play area). Am I missing out on other things I should be doing with her? Any other ideas on fun stuff to do that will still mean she sleeps at night?

DS is 18 months and a maniac too!

I work 4 days a week so mostly it's up to the ladies at nursery to run him ragged in the garden! But on my day off and at weekends with DH we:

• go swimming. Makes him hungry as well as tired. Double win.

• different parks. Theres about 4 we rotate around. There's one with a splash park bit near us which is great in this weather: put him in a swim nappy, slather him in factor 50 and let him run riot in the fountains.

• playgroups

• rhyme time at local library

• garden centre during the week when it's quiet: he runs round looking at the fish, rabbits and chickens and ours has a small nice soft play bit which he dashes around in for a while and then we share a slice of cake in the cafe.

• paddling pool in the garden: invite his cousins or a little playmate round and let them 'paint' the decking and walls of the house with water and a paintbrush. Also watering the garden with a little watering can.

Definitely swimming! And while the weather is nice, we're basically out all day - 9am-3pm for sure.

DS is almost 20 months and does gymnastics, swimming, playgroups, is in the playground for a minimum of two hours but usually four, spends hours in the paddling pool at the park, long forest walks, expeditions to the supermarket that include examining every single thing on the way there and being relaxed about him leading the way in the supermarket, and encouraging lots of climbing and running every day.

We're basically out all day whatever the weather but I know that's a bit much for some. Even in the winter when he was 14/15 months, we'd be in the playground for at least two hours. Take offensive measures - wear her out first

Thanks! Some good ideas! Think one limiting factor at the moment is our outdoor space at home. We have a little yard which has uneven flagstones covering it, so not very play friendly. However this should be sorted in the next few weeks, just waiting for the guy to be free. Then will need to go paddling pool shopping!

Wow... You lot are busy. My 19 month old sometimws hoes to toddler group, chills at home, plays in yhe garden and gets dragged to and from school and my other 3 dd's activities.