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Parenting

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Original poster

Afternoons with toddler

19 replies

Coldouthere · 20/01/2023 13:20

Does anyone else find it tough? We’re able to find groups and things to do fairly easily in the morning, but he wakes from his nap at around 2 and the time between 2 and 5 just seems to last forever.

Exhausted with feeding ducks and park visits and it’s hard eking that out for three hours anyway! Any ideas?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

qpmz · 20/01/2023 13:26

Can a a family member or friend come round or you go to them? I find the time flies by when Nanny comes and fusses over child. You can get a few bits done and have adult conversation.

Some toddlers like riding a supermarket trolly while you shop. Visiting the library or playing ball depending on the weather.

AnnaTortoiseshell · 20/01/2023 13:31

How old is the toddler? My DD doesn’t nap now but the baby does, until 2pm like yours. I find the afternoons fly by compared to the mornings!

Wake from nap, snuggle, snack, maybe a story can last til nearly 3pm. Then you’ve got an hour and a half to kill before you’re making dinner and you’re on the home stretch! Pop out for a walk/the park/potter in the garden? Some messy play? A box of cornflakes into one of those under the bed plastic boxes (or a tuff tray if you’ve got one) can use up a good chunk of time. Or drawing, playdough, painting?

Bemyclementine · 20/01/2023 13:34

Go shopping. Walk, park, painting, baking, set up a play scene (dinos/cars/whatever). Read, watch a cartoon. Play hide and seek. Dusting. Drawing, make a sensory box, thread cheerios onto dry spaghetti, play doh. Music, dance....

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Blixem · 20/01/2023 13:43

We do things like visiting people, baking, swimming, parks, going out on a scooter or if too young for that, on a push along trike, painting, jigsaw puzzles, simple games like pairs and helping me make dinner.

It can feel like the time drags sometime so I sympathise.

Original poster

Coldouthere · 20/01/2023 13:57

I think it’s the energy required to do some of these things, like swimming - I can see why it would be good because he’d enjoy it but the thought of the scramble in and out of clothes and then cooking …

I don’t have any local family or friends to visit (I do have friends but they are working) it isn’t too bad in the summer but in the cold winter months it’s so hard mustering up the enthusiasm for another walk around the park!

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Threesmycrowd · 20/01/2023 13:57

I agree - the mornings so quickly but the afternoons are slow (particularly if we haven't gone out in the morning! Feels like time drags). I also have a newborn baby so can't do a lot of stuff like baking etc in case I had to abandon halfway through. There's only so much going to the park you can do as well. We particularly struggle on rainy days. Sorry to not have ideas but hope for some good suggestions on this thread.

Original poster

Coldouthere · 20/01/2023 13:59

i think mines a bit young to enjoy things like baking - only just two. It’s easier to be out of the house but it’s so cold.

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Whyx · 20/01/2023 14:02

It does depend on age. My toddler is 3 now and his brother is 8mo. Between age 2 and 3 our afternoons were mainly wake up, snack, activity such as drawing, painting, bath (never part of our evenings), baking, walk or park for an hour. This took us to about 3.30. I'd encourage some free play by himself and stick the telly on for 30 mins from about 4.30/5 depending on dinner timing.

Flowerfairy101 · 20/01/2023 14:02

We do crafts so things like glitter glue, seashell pictures, making cardboard fairies and colouring them or baking, jigsaws, painting, then DD watches TV for about an hour whilst I do dinner for 5.

Whyx · 20/01/2023 14:03

Try "tickle fingers" cookbook for recipes with a toddler

Cuppasoupmonster · 20/01/2023 14:04

If you’ve been out in the morning then I don’t really see a need for anything structured in the afternoon - just playing with toys, in the garden etc should be fine. Otherwise they expect constant entertainment and find downtime hard.

Original poster

Coldouthere · 20/01/2023 14:06

Our garden is covered in ice and snow at the moment - I don’t think we can really spend three hours in it.

We do sometimes stay in but he’s a bit restless by dinner time then. The time passes much faster if we do something, not necessarily anything hugely exciting but even just a park trip or similar.

OP posts:

greenbirdsong · 20/01/2023 14:21

I used to feel exactly the same when my son was a baby/toddler. We'd usually find something to do in the morning but afternoons after nap time till dinner dragged!
Like you say, the winter months are worse. In the summer it's easier and nicer to get out for a walk in the park etc.

A few things I used to do in the afternoons was...

The food shop - my son liked sitting in the trolley. We'd try and make it a longer trip by maybe having a coffee in the Asda cafe.

Get out some messy play - like paint or play doh or slime. Then have an early shower/bath to clean up. And make it a long bath!

Watching a film or go to the charity shop and find a 20p dvd to watch.

Soft play centre.

We constantly looked for afternoon toddler groups, I found a couple that the children's centre did that were afternoons so worth having a look online or call your local children's centre.

kaymc3 · 20/01/2023 14:23

Yes!! I hate the afternoons!! My 3 year old doesn't nap anymore unfortunately. I think it's because my tiredness starts to kick in then which doesn't help but I'm totally with you, 3 afternoon hours feels like 300!

Caspianberg · 20/01/2023 14:33

2 year old here. He doesn’t nap anymore

Usually lunch and clean up. He plays with toys. 12-2

2-3pm we head outside. It’s snowing her also, but in he doesn’t care. Either a walk around block, on his running bike, or playing in garden or neighbours with friends. They dig snow, play on slides etc an hour or so. He has salopettes and all snow gear. We have little sledges they like on the hills.

3-4pm either play date at ours or with neighbours children, or visit someone nearby for tea.

4-6 pm he plays, craft, prep dinner. Maybe bake something. Tv if he wants.

6-8pm eat dinner, play, bath, bed.

Sometimes we go supermarket shopping, or further afield.

Favouritefruits · 20/01/2023 14:33

Two is a great age for arts and crafts, painting, play doh, stickers, building rubbish from the recycling bag.

swimming, trip to the library, soft play, supermarket shop, anything to pass the time, I promise it gets easier.

Caspianberg · 20/01/2023 14:34

I find play dough or painting or stickers handy. I will set Ds up at table, then can prep dinner near him and he’s occupied 20-30 mins

Catcharolo · 20/01/2023 14:37

Well I’d always go out. Park, scooter, library, babychino and cake, food shopping. Then an activity: sticker books, magic painting books, finger painting, play shops/cafes. Then tv, dinner and bath bed

LillyBugg · 20/01/2023 14:38

Have a look at five minute mum for little activities to do at home if you'd rather not go out. She has lots of school age stuff but also plenty for toddlers.

I feel your pain. I don't miss this stage at all!

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