entertaining the kids, aged 18 months and nearly 3

[LetThemEatCake]

what do you guys do with your kids when you're at home? what kinds of games/ activities/ crafts etc. I need inspiration!

We get out and about a lot (thus absolving me of responsibility for entertaining them LOL) but I am due with dc3 in September and am conscious that I'll likely be at home more than I am at the moment... want to get them used to it sooner rather than later!

Dressing up, draping bedlinen over suitable furniture as their "house", dancing to music, mattress on the floor to jump etc on, stocking up loads of books from the library, building blocks or train tracks etc.

yes, i need to work on a dressing up box.

Maybe get a big tub of duplo/ lego, too?

Painting p*sses me right off. All that setting up the easel, getting the paints set out, them making a hideous mess and then 10 mins later saying "mummy I'm all done now" ARGH

I won't quite have three under three - missing out on that one by 6 weeks!! but pretty close. So, yes, will probably be shattered.

Washing???!!!! forget it.

I've got a 3yr old and a 15 month old and we go out loads too, so to be honest apart from bits and bobs when they ask me, I dont actually set up many activities at home for them.
I would advise not doing TOO many structured things now or they'll get used to you being involved and be MORE demanding when baby is born and you dont have any spare hands.
Let them get on with playing under their own steam as much as they can/want to and only chip in every now and then. Its much more lazy sensible.