What sort of activities do you do with your 1 or 2 year old?

[ColourfulHairbands]

I hate to admit it but I rarely do activities with my children. I have a 1 year old and 2 year old and they both like to play independently with their toys.

DD (2) has probably only done colouring in twice in her entire life. She’s always running about so can never really sit still to enjoy colouring in. I’d like to reduce the Children’s screen time so would like a few suggestions on what people do with their young children?

I work 3 days a week and my youngest has a Genetic Disorder so he has weekly appointments. I feel exhausted most days but would really like to make the effort to do things inside with the kids. Extra points for sensory activities for my DS (1) who has a disability. Thank you!

No amazing suggestions here but just wanted to say I think it’s so easy to end up in this situation of just constantly surviving, making sure everyone is fed, has a drink and a clean nappy, the washing is done, the bills are paid etc etc. My son has never been into the tv at all so rarely watches anything but very much just potters about playing himself most of the day. Sometimes I’m just so glad he’s focused on something and not crying or wanting something that I just sit for 2 minutes with a cup of tea. It’s not until now he’s almost 2 that other people’s kids will be saying all their colours etc and I’m suddenly in a panic like god I forgot to teach him that, another thing to add to the list! I presumed once they got to 1 this panic would end when they could all walk etc and there was no longer a comparison to be made but it seems it just goes on and on! I order things for ‘activities’ like coloured dinosaurs then within 5 minutes they’ve all vanished and I’m finding them in random places in the house. Again, no suggestions but I feel you! 😂

My kids are the same age and I berate myself for the same thing. Once I've done everything, I never feel like playing.

We have a sandpit which they like and I do baking sometimes. Often the activity will be going for a walk etc

@Itsadogone it can be such a challenge can’t it?! Like you said, there’s so many other things to prioritise like keeping these children fed, clean and looked after that other minor things tend to take a back burner. Hahaha I laughed when you mentioned the colours because it’s so true! My DD started nursery maybe 6 weeks ago or so. She only goes for three half days a week so far but I’m hoping as she gets older, nursery will teach her a few things! When I see my kids playing by themselves I just feel bad like shit should I be doing things with them too? It’s a lot!

@Justputitdown yes exactly that. Once everything is done you never really feel like playing as you’re so tired. It’s lovely that they have a sandpit and you’re able to do some baking! I have a ball pit but the novelty has now worn off. I tend to think the same as you. The activity is usually going to the park, going for a walk or taking my son to the Children’s Centre for a baby/toddler group. It’s just when we’re at home I wonder if there’s anything more that I can be doing. The mum guilt never ends does it?!

With our eldest who is now four, we largely did the park/forest/playground/garden and things involving sticks and balls. As he got older we got him more involved in things like cooking, cleaning, tidying etc.

If you're taking the hoover you give them a toy hoover or even better a small battery hoover and they can do it with you.

Our youngest is just entering the one year mark and with her we're still not doing instagram style activities, and I can't imagine we will start doing them.

Hoping someone pops along with ideas for you that I can pinch too

I did come across this thread yesterday which could be some help
Budget play ideas www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/4828619-budget-play-ideas

My friend puts a sheet in the garden and has a stack of 6 storage boxes with lids that she puts messy play in to and just brings out ready made. Changes them over She has cereal and foodie stuff in 1, porridge oats, another has these absorbing jelly ball things and some with pasta with a bit of water to make yucky
The kids love it she says and I am going to copy soon

It's great that they like playing by themselves! Don't over entertain them and let them lose this skill!

For the two year old activities that encourage hand strength/fine motor skills would be good. This includes:

Playdoh

Playing with flannels and sponges with water (open a car wash and get her to clean toy cars or bath her baby doll or clean the patio)

Peeling stickers either in a sticker book it just get some sheets of stickers and a cardboard box/paper and let her decorate it.

Threading with pipe cleaner and cotton reels/big beads/patsa/chopped straws if you have the really wide ones.

Baking/cooking

She should have access to mark making but doesn't need to be forcibly sat down to colour. Having paper and pens/crayons out and available is good. Also, big chalk for outside. A white board and pens. One of those drawing boards that you clean by pulling the button across. Pot of water and a paintbrush to 'paint' the patio/fence. Painting with rollers/brushes or for less mess dabbers. An aquadraw mat.

For sensory play get a tub and full it with rice/cornflakes/water/pasta/cornflour/sand/mud and some utensils and let them explore. It can be fun to hide stuff in it that they need to find. If it's too messy just take them to a park with a sandpit and spend more time in the bath!

@ChadCMulligan who mentioned anything about Instagram style activities? What even is that?

@twoandcooplease that’s so handy, thanks so much for the link! Unfortunately, I don’t have a garden but that does sound great!

@NuffSaidSam amazing suggestions thank you so much. See this is what I mean. I don’t even have bloody play doh in my house!!🫣

Blend cheerios- edible sand tray 🙂

outdoor chalk

painting the walls/fences outside with water

at 2 mine loved flashcards

have a bath with foamy soap

get some of the gelli baff play sets- into a tray and put toy animals/dinos- hunt for the animals

tray with cornflakes/rice/ toy animals

magnadoodle

make dough together. Playdough wins always

@Danikm151 some great suggestions, thank you so much:)