What do you do with your 2 year old?

[tammybear]

My dd's 2 in December. I dont have a car so cant go to many places with her. If I do go out, its to the park, shops, town, or Tumble Tots. I need some new ideas of what I can do with her. We do colouring in, painting, playing games, songs, watching tv/film, playing a toddler game on the computer that is for her age, reading, and I cant remember what else. But I would like to know if any mumsnetters do other things with their children? I think dd gets bored sometimes, and since winters coming up, Im worried that we may be stuck in for days at a time. Any ideas? Thanks. xxx

Library and museum.
They usually do stuff for little ones and my dd loves it there.

Local mother and toddler group?

i have thought of the library, theyre suppose to be doing something next thurs i think it is. im getting a list of local M&T groups. i dont know that many other mums that live like around the corner. i know a couple but 1 has a ds who has just started school, and the other has a baby whos almost 1 i think. i dont do things with her every day as she does like to play in her own little world, but there are some days she gets really bored and nothing will make her happy. i like the shop idea sallystrawberry

Things for indoors that you haven't mentioned, make a big ball of pastry and give her a rolling pin and box of raisins.
Also washing up, dd loves washing up.
Get economy fairy cakes and let her icing then decorate them.
.....
am thinking of more.

TB - I think you're doing loads too!

How about something crafty - ds (just 2) loves slapping on glue and sticking things (anything - paper/fluffy stuff/material) to paper. You could pick up a few Index/Argos catalogues for cutting out and use them to make your own scrapbook kind of thing. Or collect stuff from the park like leaves etc and bung them in too?

It sounds like you are doing quite a lot with her already.

How about places where she can meet and mix with other children, and maybe you get to chat to other parents too.

Our local library do a couple of story time sessions which include stories, singing and a bit if craft work. They also have signs up for other activities.

Music Time classes maybe? But if you alreadt do TT you might want to avoid more proper classes anyway.

How about a soft play centre. DD loves them. And your DD has her TT experience for climbing, etc.

DD loves playing with her kitchen, food and plates and her dollies. And she also enjoys the Happy Land type toys from ELc. She got all this stuff for Christmas/Birthdays.

At home, have you tried some simple cooking and/or baking with her? DD loves making burgers and squishing up the mince for me.

Sounds like you do lots already. Do you do baking? Always a good excuse to make cakes! Or play dough? If youve got anywhere where it wont knacker your carpets. Or sticking? Do you see other friends kids'? Have you got anything like wacky warehouse, or that other one? Winter is horrible for entertaining kids isnt it?

i have a box of those cup cake things that you just throw an egg or somethin into which we might have a go at the weekend with dd. lots of new ideas to try thanks! keep them coming

Or you can make crumble together -- you peel the apples, she can cut them up with a child's knife or a butter knife. She puts them in the pot or casserole bowl, she can help make up the crumble topping, too.

havent read whole thread so sorry if any repeats. Ds is 2 and enjoys:

swimming

any transport (we go on bus and train rides just because he likes it!!)

finger painting
I cut a potato into a paint stamp ( in different shapes) and we dip it in paint and make prints
get a paper plate and let him stick things on (such as pasta and string) to make a paper plate face

playing with kitchen stuff is ds favourite thing to do!! He loves pretending to cook.

I have a tumble tots video (got off the website) that is all of the songs and movements. we do this a lot

Ds loves looking through photo albums and his latest fav thing is taking pictures (with my digital camera and supervision). I can delete them afterwards. he loves this.

soft play area and library

dancing with mummy to loud music!

No doubt there is loads more. If I think of anymore I will come back!!

Make Goo with cornflour and water. Just put some cornflour in a bowl and start adding water. When it becomes liquid, but still hard to stir, put your fingers in, and if it's solid yet liquid, bingo. It's hard to explain, you have to experience it. The best thing is it looks messy, but because it becomes solid, just brushes off clothes and surfaces. Try it. All the kids at playschool love it. Heck, I love it.

Hi there, sounds like dd, (and you) are ready for a change, but your dd is just a bit young for playschool.

My Ds is 2.8 months and has just started preschool- 2 mornings.. and absolutely Loves it.

Get your dd on a list for one, and whilst waiting, just try and arrange an activity (of sorts) per day.

eg.. monday- toddler group.. tuesday friends over... wednesday swimming... thursday.. meet friends in park.. friday..soft play area...
Keeps you slightly sane.

TBQH- there is only so much you can do at home with an active/curious child - they (and you need more stimulation)