How to entertain a 3 month old and 2.5 yo in the garden

[FullOfCake]

Might sound dumb but it's the only place we're going atm for obvious reasons. Trouble is I'm killing my back lumping 3mo around on one arm while I try and push 2.5yo around on tractor, or stop him from dismantling the shed or whatever. How do others cope? I've taken the bouncy chair outside for the little one but after about 20mins he's bored or not getting enough attention so I end up sat down with him, holding him, feeding him and then yelling down the garden at the 2.5yo who's back trying to dismantle the shed.....

I've tried a carrier but again after a while my back is out and the little one is just staring at my neck for the day 🤷‍♀️ what's the happy medium here

At that age (3 months) DS didn't really need much attention, he was just happy being close to me so spent most of his time in a sling. Or when he wasn't in his sling I'd pop him on his play mat for short spells. Did you have your carrier properly fitted? If you have a well fitted one it really shouldn't be causing you back problems. Ours was an Ergobaby Omni 360 and I carried DS for hours at a time. Don't usually have the strongest back either

At 3 months my youngest would be in a sling most of the time. 2.5 year old would be happy as Larry playing with water (eg splashing about in a shallow large tray with toys) or digging in the mud and sand making as much mess as possible. I couldn’t really leave them to it for long periods. Just didn’t happen until older.

Can you just put the 3 month old on a playmat with some toys on the grass? Move it to be near 2.5 year old so you can sort of be with them both?

I only have one, who is nearly 3, and outside is a lot easier than inside keeping her entertained. She still needs / wants me to play most of the time, but it is a bit easier. Things like:

• finding insects / worms
• chalk scribbles on patio
• toys / Lego / Sylvanians but just outside
• sandpit
• obstacle course made of logs / bricks / bits of wood
• bubbles - I blow them she has to pop them
• garden hunt - I write a list with drawings of things she has to find & tick off
• sowing some seeds
• playing football

Due DD2 in August so I will be in a similar boat & wondering how it will all work!

I'm normally going outside with the toddler whilst the baby is napping inside with a monitor but he is a bit older than yours. Could you put him in the pram in the garden to nap?

Sorry I hit post too soon.

(I would use a sling on my front not back and a decent one which didn’t hurt).

You need a sling otherwise your back will get worse carrying baby on hip!

It’s quite a tough time and in some ways trying to fight the fact your baby can’t be put down for long make it harder.

I would structure your day into a routine, factoring in a long walk for exercise for you and toddler. Plus factor in a bit of tv for them as well (we didn’t use much at that age).

So something like:

Everyone gets up (including DH who takes kids while I get ready).

Do some “housework” while toddler joins in. I used to prep lunch as well.

Do a bit of play.
Take kids out for a walk. Come back for lunch. Possible nap for baby/toddler?

Some outside play, bit of tv or reading etc.

Make dinner and let toddler “help”. I used to have a little table for toddler to mess about with dried stuff.

Dinner, play time. Bath time.

Basically I would get toddler to help as much as possible as this kills time and entertains them. Yes it’s dull at times but better to get them to help with real life chores than have to constantly come up with games for them.

Mine used to love “washing up” (stand at the sink and splash in bubbles while I stood next to them trying to have a cuppa). They’d also love helping with sweeping, vacuuming etc.

Simple is best, so literally trucks, tractors and diggers, rolling or throwing the ball, bubbles, chalk, teddy bear picnic, what time is it mr wolf, books, looking for butterflies (pretend you're in the jungle) bring out some pillows and set them up like a bus

I agree far easier to keep my 3yo entertained outside.

I have a standing, desperate to walk 10mth old too which is a nightmare as can’t be left anywhere as they move about 10 metres in a millisecond and inevitably end up upside down and crying in a bush or something.

With a 3mth old you need to set up some “stations” - I would get the pram out into the garden, if you can prop a mobile on top of it that will help. If you have a sleepyhead or a nest get that out and put it on a towel on the grass. Get a playgym out and put it somewhere shaded. Move the baby between these stations for a change of scenery. Get a sling for the in between times.

3 month old will be delighted to stare at your neck, so just sit somewhere with them in a sling.
For two year old:

• big bowl of water with various jigs, plastic containers and a whisk. Encourage them to add grass.
• little metal toy cars. You may have to play at first to show them how to zoom them along things. A few bits of wood to zoom them along or cardboard or whatever.
• hide and seek. They are so little they think they are hidden when they're not so just Legend you can't find them.
• hide an object. Any object. Make it easy to find.
• squirty sports bottle. Fill with water. Let them spray the walls.
• anything messy you hate inside, so even a mat on the floor and do glueing and sticking.
• flour and water in a bowl and let them get messy. There is cleaning up but adding flour to water gives a lot of joy and entertainment.
• bubbles. Let them try blowing even if they lose half the mixture. Just fill with washing up liquid after.
• pair of scissors and let them cut the grass (with you supervising)

I give you many ideas because I know it is a looong day with two at those ages. Feel for you! Lockdown with two of that age is my personal idea off hell!

I have a babybjorn mini. He's inwards facing so I thought abit boring for him. I think it's all the bending down/over. I will try and adjust it. Thanks for the suggestions

3 month olds don't care about being bored. They'll just be happy being close to you.

3 month olds don't care about being bored. They'll just be happy being close to you.

My 2.5yo is out in the gstden playing with toys, balance bike, trike etc and i'm in the kitchen ironing.

They don't need entertaining 24/7. Just sit down with 3 month old, then every so often put 3 month old on playmat and play with 2.5yo for 10mins or whatever then sit back down.

I've bought a big paddling pool, and we're building her a sandpit that will keep her happy for hours

Oh wow. You are all making me very jealous with your comments about easy 3 month olds who don't care about being bored and who are just happy to be close to you in a sling! My boy was never like that and was SO demanding from just a few weeks old! OP, if you have an easy baby then great, the above advice sounds terrific if that's doable... but if not, is there any way you can set 'tasks' or 'challenges' for your 3 year old to complete? I'm due my second baby imminently so am following this thread with interest for tips to use myself...!

I used to give my dd a bucket of water and a paint brush to ‘paint’ the fence/shed/patio. The best thing about it was the ‘paint’ kept drying so she had to redo it . I used to sit and tell her where she’d missed bits .

@surreygirl1987 my baby was also very demanding and didn’t like being put down hence the sling. she was also born in December so being outside was tricky! But one activity that kept 2 year old ds entertained was going to the park and digging out stones then chucking them in the river. Literally did that most days in the freezing cold 🤣😂

That's awesome. Unfortunately my son screamed his head off if I put him in the sling until he was old enough to use a carrier facing outwards! Couldn't put him down either - he was only happy with my holding him so he could see over my shoulder. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this baby is easier as I'd LOVE to use that gorgous expensive sling I bought first time round and which got wasted! 🤦🏼‍♀️

It took me a while to get the sling right for both of mine! Ds hated it just after being fed and dd used to get hot. She was happier in a cloth type sling and I had to be careful to wind her and not over dress!

Yeh, my son hated it at pretty much any time. We tried so many slings. I went back to the slings library a few weeks ago to get a ring sling and she remembered me as the mother of the newborn who hated all slings 🤦🏼‍♀️ He was just a nosy little creature and was desperate to look around even when he was tiny. I guess babies are all different.

I have a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old, so I feel your pain... we have just bought a water table for my ds and he loves it and plays with it on his own for ages.
We got ours on Asda online for £20 was delivered in less than a week. Argos do them too.