what do you do with toddler late pm?

[ilovepinecones]

Looking for inspiration. I usually go out with ds 2yo in morning to class, park, see friend etc then lunch, kip.

I struggle a bit in the pm with what to do - I think both of us get bored. Let's say he wakes at 4, tea around 4:30 ish then have stretch of 5-7.

I usually end up doing tv as so knackered, or playing same puzzles. It's dark out, no groups at that hour.

Any creative help gratefully received?

Painting, baking, puzzles, playdoh, building stuff with Duplo, playing cars/trains plus bath time etc on bath days.

I struggle post nap with dark afternoons too. Outdoor toys indoors on a big ground sheet work well, especially as it all takes time to set up and put away. Aquaplay is pricey but great, small swingball set, skittles, assault course. Cooking (either for supper or the DC's tea, if they weren't hungry straight after their nap). Reading or colouring in. Going out on a cycle or scooter if your road is quiet.

Going to a friend's house or having a friend round is often the easiest.

Usually put away clean laundry in the lead up to bath or jammies on. They stalk me for a while and but then get bored and play with each other.
That said the 14 month old has just fallen asleep in her high chair

I agree though it's so different in summer. Roll on...

We always did tea later, 5.30 (had a snack after nap) so we could go out after the nap when it's still lighter. Then home for tea, bath, stories and bed.
Would that be an option?

My DS has an earlier nap (usually about 12-1.30/2pm) so I have this stretch pre-dinner when it's still light so we do go outside if the mood takes us. Otherwise painting, crayons, play doh, TV, general playing.

Yep maybe earlier nap could work in the dark hours!
Or I nee to get a bit less lazy and do some painting or baking - just be good to have a bit of something different to do up my sleeve.

Drawing. Endless drawing. Mostly of Peppa Pig and co.

Hide and seek, duplo, crawling under the drawing table, climbing up and down the stairs, little walk outside to look for the moon

Yes hide and seek is a winner in our house. Also we usually go and play in ds room. The change of scene and toys means he plays diffently and often likes role play or calmer games with his toys that involve more talking between us.

This is downtime for us. The DC choose what they want to do and just play. Either with their toys, or they make dens, or watch TV, go on tablets etc. I use that time to tidy up so when I come down after they are in bed I can just sit and relax.

This is usually our downtime too. We tend to do colouring, jigsaws, a little TV or he just mills around the lounge with his cars while I have a brew! We do bath time about 6.30/6.45 and spin it out for a while if he's enjoying himself. We have very active days so I think he enjoys some quieter time before bed.

I used to go out again most days, but trying to row back a bit in preparation for an ELCS in a couple of months, don't want staying in to be completely new to her.

I've tried putting a box of her toys away for a couple of weeks, then setting one up in the kitchen while she's napping so she comes down to something "new" to play with. Also Peppa Pig magazines, my mum seems to bring one over ridiculously often but she does love reading them, playing with the cardboard cut out scenes from the middle, doing the craft etc. Maybe worth having a couple of standby for really difficult days if money's not too tight. They are pricy though to actually but regularly.

My dd is nearly two. On my days off
she wakes from her nap around 2.30. We often go to pets at home to see the bunnies or water stones to read books.
Or maybe a babychino in the high street. Mornings are easier definitely.
Aim to be home by 4 then she plays/cbeebies whilst I too dinner. We eat at 6.

We usually pass the time playing. We have foam numbers and letters that we hide and have him fine, or throwing a sponge ball, or playing with his train set. My DS is quite active so we have an hour of quiet time before bath and bed...usually around 6-7.