whatcan i do to entertain my 2 year old

[pud1]

i am just bored of my usual games. dont do crafts but we do bake. play with toy read..... but she is quite bright and easily bored ( or i am just boring) please inspire me

Water? my DD1 would wash up all day. you have to be able to bear the mess

playdo (you probably do that)

um...

It's weather-dependent, but DD is outside right now at her sand-and-water table. She often wants me to be involved in various indoor "games", but is happy as Larry on her own at this for ages. Godsend

This is to be tried only in moderation, but.....YouTube! It's fascinating what you can find on here.

On a similarly electronic note, you might want to avoid the CBeebies website, because if your little darling realises that Iggle Piggle et al. are available on Mummy's computer, MN is finished for you!

Do you have a garden? Planting seeds, weeding, etc.. keeps little ones busy for ages.
Educational and rewarding for them too, learning how flowers grow and how to care for them.

why not crafts?

A big piece of paper and a selection of things to draw with usually keep DS occupied.

Or tip some rice onto a tray, give her some spoons and containers.

Cleaning is surprisingly good too. I give DS a baby wipe or clean duster and he'll go and wipe things. Works best when I'm cleaning too though as he'll follow me round.

I second gardening, DD loves to 'help', we are getting her a little gardening set with a wheelbarrow, rake, spade etc from argos for her birthday.

Also painting/drawing on a blackboard? You can get a blackboard/easel from ikea for £15, they are really good. And DD loves aquadraw, and I love it cos there's no mess!

As for crafts you shoud give it a go - I don't do much painting cos it's too much effort to clean up afterwards, but I use things like cut out shapes, different texture paper, googly eyes/feathers etc (really cheap in shops like Wilkinsons) and DD will stick things on paper and make collages for ages!

Does she like duplo/megablocks? Sorry if that's a bit obvious.

Otherwise why not try and find some new toddler groups to go to? Also, keep an eye out for your next NCT nearly new sale, I went to one at the weekend and got loads of new toddler toys for really cheap, eg a good old fashioned mr potato head that kept her entertained for ages!

We have a big dressing up box, although dd2 only really likes to dress up as a fairy! But the fun is to be had from dressing up, then putting on some music and dancing around to it.

Keeps her entertained for, ooooh, at least three minutes.

Then big sis (4) comes in useful again. She is by far and away dd2's best amusement!

now DD is getting older (2.9) I'm trying to get to more toddler groups and she loves them.

I sometimes fill a big plastic tub with water and bubbles and stick it on the kitchen floor with a few rubber ducks etc, keeps her amused for hours!

Outside in the garden, with bucket of water and a paintbrush to paint things. Also, little trowel to dig up things.

Water at the kitchen sink is always a winner.

The park! My failsafe option.

Crafts are good!

A couple of simple ones:

• old cardboard box, black marker pen, draw on gas rings, door etc, turn it in to a pretend "stove" or (if large enough) in to a house (partially cut out doors and windows so they open and close)

• (making a den out of bed linen also good)

• roll of old lining paper

lie your dd down and draw around her get her to look in a mirror and colour in her own features, clothes etc

Plus, agree water play always good.

If weather fine, give her a bucket and some water and a brush and get her to "paint" the terrace

Or fill up an old washing up bottle with water and let her spray it everywhere

Also - yes - give her a selection of fairly light, unbreakable pots and pans, measuring spoons, sieves, plastic bowls of different sizes, some red lentils, dried pasta shapes and rice and let her get on with it.

All else fails - in bath with lots of bubbles and toys - usually kills half an hour at least

Sorry - not very original!

your ideas are good

we do the eisle, aqua draw, magnets but none keep her atention for longer than 3 mins. tbh her dad is the same.

am going to do the craft thing even though it brings me out in sweat, dont know why i dont mind the mess but it reminds me of primary school and i was shit at it. at least a 2 year old wont judge

p.s... am in a flat at the mo. do have a garden but its out the front door and round the back so dont use it till weather really good

my son is easily bored to! yesterday we were making easter cards and he got bored half way through!

my little one LOVES hide and seek we can play for at least half an hour, he always picks same hiding place and only counts to 3 when its my turn to hide but he loves it!
i usually do laundry or tidy up at the same time

we dont have garden either but if its nice you cant go wrong with making few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and going to park for a picnic!

My nearly-3 year old likes hide and seek too, but not quite got the hang of it. Last time he hid he stuck his head into a basket with the rest of his body hanging out in full view, so it wasn't too hard to locate him!

They do lose interest in things very quickly at that age, though as DS has got closer to 3 I have seen his attention span has increased a bit and he will now sit and play with toys for a while longer (ie 5 mins instead of 2).

Another way to make sure time goes faster is to invite a friend around for them. You do spend most of the time pulling them apart though

I've found our local poundshop (poundland) a treasure-trove for finding craft materials. coloured paper, pens, textured papers (eg shiney, felt), glitter glue, stickers etc. Crafts don't have to be complicated if you find the idea intimidating. Just lay things out on the table and see what happens. Another activity my ds enjoys is painting toilet rolls and egg cartons with poster paints.
Playdough and cookie cutters is a fun activity. Here's an easy recipe for homemade playdough made in the microwave.
www.kempsfordpreschool.co.uk/index_files/Page1221.htm

My advice is to have another child, then they can amuse each other as I remind DD1 aged 9 when she asks me to play monopoly AGAIN.

lovecheese is not like i have NOT been asking...he just comes out with money talk BORING lol!

My DS2 loves to help with the housework. Filling the washmachine, pushing the start button. Helping with the dusting, he even has his own little red dustbuster that he does the stairs with, following me up and catchin anything i miss.

If you live near a park, going to feed the ducks is an old one but a classic plus the fresh air will leave him knackered and you'll have a lovely afternoon curled up together on the sofa..... !!