Inside play activities for 2.5 year old and 1 year old

[exceptmeandmymonkey]

My children are 2.5 and 1 -- technically toddlers, though my DC2 isn't walking independently yet.

After work, I look after them from 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and struggle to find play activities that appeal to both of them before dinner at 6. Not knowing how to amuse them is really starting to affect my confidence as a parent. 1 year old puts absolutely everything in his mouth, so arty projects (anything w paint, markers, crayons) tend to be a no. In our area it rains quite a bit, so play tends to be inside (though we do have a garden).

Any suggestions for in-house play activities that are fun at both 1 and 2.5?

Long bath time. Rotate toys for different nights. Bubbles and crayons.
I do my nails and face pack etc while Ds7 has a long bath every Sunday!!

Tbh, when I had to do this in lockdown there was lots of Tv.

CBeebies had a programme called the baby club that both mine enjoyed.

this book has some brilliant ideas for sensory play for this age group.

You can get water mats that they “colour” in with water brushes, or how about playdo? Mine both loved duplo and train tracks at that age, you can get lots of add on sets with animals people etc.

Thanks for the tips so far! We have not introduced tv yet, hoping to put that off a while longer. Will look into this book.

things my almost 2 yr old likes that aren’t actually normal ‘Toys’:

-Pots and pans and wooden spoons on kitchen floor

-Long bath times

-cushions off sofa so they can roll about with them!
—Big fluffy blacket on the floor with some books or puzzle

-Come upstairs with me while I make beds (play in duvets and pillows on the floor while i change sheets

-Stand at kitchen sink play with water

-Big cardboard box on lounge floor

-Go for a walk as it’s light now outside. Better to go for walk in rain than just hang out in garden

-Go in garden in rain with umberella, wellies etc..

-TV!

-music on and jumping around. Especially handy while you’re trying to cook as you can multi-task

-Bit of clean half pipe or something they can roll a ball down. Balance end on sofa down to floor. Roll cars down, teddies etc..

-Clothes horse den/tunnel