Toddler Playtime and Activities

[peachhes]

He’s obsessed with Peppa pig (I absolutely hate the show) He likes hey duggee and Thomas the tank too. I don’t mind him watching TV but he’s getting to the point where he’s crying when I don’t put it on and he brings me the tv remote We do do a lot together, go to the park literally every day, go for walks, the farm, play in the garden, go to the library, soft play etc. I can’t wait for him to start nursery when he turns 3 to have that extra learning/socialising from actual trained people

Thank you for all your kind comments too, it means a lot… as I’m struggling a bit mentally atm the tiniest things are getting to me, I’ve had a few people in my life make comments about my little boy and how he’s not as advanced as other kids and things like that stick with me for weeks/months. He’s the funniest, most loved and clever little boy. Just feel like I could be better sometimes.

If anyone’s got any toy recommendations for this sort of age group as well, please share as I’m already thinking about Christmas!

 

[peachhes]

It’s so difficult because none of my friends have children his age, so he’s never socialised with kids similar to him, which is what I think is delaying him. I’m struggling with my mental health at the mo and I’m just finishing myself letting him watch tv constantly. He’s seeing a S&L therapist in a few weeks. Just feel like crap mum! We try and take him out as much as possible but because he 1) doesn’t listen and 2) just wants to do his own thing all the while it’s tough!

 

[Pumpkin Spice]

You sound like a fab mum and all the things you're already doing are great for his development and wellbeing!

 

[Ottilie]

What about sensory play? Play dough, dry pasta, water, cooked spaghetti, sand, paint?

What about letting him get the pots, pans and wooden spoons out of the kitchen cupboards and playing with those?

If you have a large cardboard box lying around you can turn those into great cars, rocket ships, anything really! Old washing basket can make a great car as well!

Try and go back to basics.

If he likes cars making a ramp of some kind is a great idea.

If you can, get out as much as possible. Running around, going to the park, playing in the dirt with toys, kicking/catching a ball, walk in the rain and plash in puddles, go on a bug hunt.

Have fun and don't be so hard on yourself, your doing a great job!

 

[Happy35]

My son is 25 now but I found outdoor antivities much easier when he was a toddler, walks on the beach collecting shells, in the woods looking for conkers or treasure etc, he drove me nuts in the house as he was so active

 

[Tublet83]

Also just to add up until 2.5 I found really hard, you can’t reason with them and they are little animals

As they get closer to 3 both of mine blossomed into great little people, your doing a great job dont beat yourself up X

 

[Tublet83]

I would just try and get out of there house, a trip to the park and a playground and some fresh air will do wonders for both of you.

Are there any toddler groups nearby? You could both socialise? Church halls and community centres usually have really reasonably priced ones

 

[Jelly Bean]

It’s so difficult because none of my friends have children his age, so he’s never socialised with kids similar to him, which is what I think is delaying him. I’m struggling with my mental health at the mo and I’m just finishing myself letting him watch tv constantly. He’s seeing a S&L therapist in a few weeks. Just feel like crap mum! We try and take him out as much as possible but because he 1) doesn’t listen and 2) just wants to do his own thing all the while it’s tough!

Don't be too hard on yourself. It is hard work. Even if he does watch lots of TV it isn't the end of the world. Try to make it an actual activity rather than passive. Eg talk to him about what he is watching and what he likes? Then when you are doing other things relate it back to that. I Iook after my grandchild every week day (she is nearly 2) and absolutely love it but do run out of ideas . Often we do something because Peppa Pig (or whatever) did it eg looking for muddy puddles to jump in. Quite basic stuff. Or we find things to do because we watched it on TV. Drawing pictures of things we saw.
I think as long as you are talking to him and exploring ideas you can't go wrong.
I'm sure he must have interests, even if it is just playing with random things. So expand upon that.
Also my grandaughter thrives on being given small tasks and helping me eg finding things, helping me stir things for her tea, putting things away.
And sticker books. Lifesavers
Activities needn't be huge events - just talking to him and getting his interest and attention.
You are probably doing all this stuff already tbh. I'm sure you are. The fact you even worrying about it means you are probably doing a good job.

 

[Pumpkin Spice]

Hi! I work as a nanny and don't worry if he doesn't stick to one activity for long, I think that's normal for that age. I would do some activities that promote gross motor skills such as kicking/pushing/throwing a ball, playing in the park, scooter/balance bike and some fine motor skill activities such as play-doh (you make your own, Google will have loads of recipes), scribbling with crayons, paint, Duplo - these will promote creativity too. Go for a walk and talk about what you see. Free-play with toys and figures at home will develop his imagination. You're probably doing more than you realise!

 

[watermelon sugar]

@peachhes I love the thread idea because i have a 1.5 year old and I struggle with activity ideas sometimes, so Im taking the advice on board too! Just wanted to let you know you sound like a fab mum and like you're doing a fab job

 

[jawidjanqndn]

Hi! I work as a nanny and don't worry if he doesn't stick to one activity for long, I think that's normal for that age. I would do some activities that promote gross motor skills such as kicking/pushing/throwing a ball, playing in the park, scooter/balance bike and some fine motor skill activities such as play-doh (you make your own, Google will have loads of recipes), scribbling with crayons, paint, Duplo - these will promote creativity too. Go for a walk and talk about what you see. Free-play with toys and figures at home will develop his imagination. You're probably doing more than you realise!

also have experience in a nursery and completely agree with this! the most simple ideas are sometimes the best

 

[Pumpkin Spice]

Is he particular about what he watches on TV? The songs will drive you crazy but you could put on things like Baby Shark and Sleeping Bunnies on YouTube to get him dancing and moving along! My son loved doing this when he was younger.

 

[Geraldine.20.jobs]

I would just try and get out of there house, a trip to the park and a playground and some fresh air will do wonders for both of you.

Are there any toddler groups nearby? You could both socialise? Church halls and community centres usually have really reasonably priced ones

Toddler groups can be a lifesaver and not just for the little ones. Sometimes it's good to get out of the house and be able to chat to other mums

 

[Tublet83]

Mine do the same about the tv - don’t worry it’s all normal!

Hate it when people make judgements over “where a child is developmentally”, all children are different, if you are worried you could contact your health visitor, there should be a 2 year check anyway.

 

[Sailorontheseasea]

Hi lovely, just wanted to say I am on your wavelength right now as I really struggle with MH with a wild child and some days I feel like we’ve literally achieved nothing as a family and I go to bed feeling like such a failure and then somehow end up repeating it the next day.

I have a 3 year old and an 18 month old and I would absolutely highly recommend investing in a tuff tray with a stand and looking up some simple activities for that - there are lots of low cost set ups for them on insta too that you can get a bit of inspiration from I.e water beads with pots and pans, rolling cars in paint to create some funky art, jelli baff to make a dinosaur swamp, cornflour and hot choc powder with water to make “mud” cover some plastic animals/dinosaurs and get them to scrub it off with sponges and soapy water, Rice Krispies/Cheerios/pasta and diggers/scoops/pots/pans. Just loads of sensory activities that will keep them occupied for a while.

I totally understand that all of this feels like a mountain of effort to set up/clean up on some low mental health days but at least you can pretty much leave them to it (obviously watch out if they’re a “test everything with their mouth” child like my 18mo with the water beads/jelli baff etc) but even stuff like colourful spaghetti treasure hunts and rice which is obviously fine to be eaten can be stimulating, sensory and get their fine and gross motor skills going.

On top of that you sound like you’re doing so much more than you realise

 

[Notworthy]

My son is 25 now but I found outdoor antivities much easier when he was a toddler, walks on the beach collecting shells, in the woods looking for conkers or treasure etc, he drove me nuts in the house as he was so active

Snap it was like having a dog, if you didn't walk him, he'd tear the place apart.

It’s so difficult because none of my friends have children his age, so he’s never socialised with kids similar to him, which is what I think is delaying him. I’m struggling with my mental health at the mo and I’m just finishing myself letting him watch tv constantly. He’s seeing a S&L therapist in a few weeks. Just feel like crap mum! We try and take him out as much as possible but because he 1) doesn’t listen and 2) just wants to do his own thing all the while it’s tough!

He isn't delayed at all, he will be a normal 2 year old boy. I didn't do anything with my son indoors as he couldn't sit down for longer than a minute, we were out at the park or endless walks, he couldn't read or write when he started school but sat an entrance exam at 9 and got offered a bursary place at an independent school. I really wouldn't worry at all and never ever measure him up against any other child.
Funny story but when my child was about 4 months old I ran into an acquaitance and she started going on about all the milestones her daughter had reached and then how many teeth her child had, honestly I walked away mumbling to myself, stupid baby you can't even grow a fucking tooth first, then I gave my head a wobble and realised it's all bollocks, it doesn't matter what anyone elses child is doing, as long as mine is happy and healthy and I don't want to kill him everyday, it's all good.

Also just to add it is absolutely fine for a child to be bored, in fact it's good for them, don't get sucked into feeling like you need to entertain 24/7. One thing my Son did actually sit and do quietly was play with his cars. He had one of those road carpet things and loads of matchbox cars and he'd line them up with Michael Schumacher in the front
We didn't have a TV when he was young either and we managed fine.

 

[Loiterer]

Try watching bluey on cbeebies it's an excellent programme and really gives great examples of playfulness

 

[wakametango]

Not sure how many this thread will apply to but I struggle with ideas for my 2 year old, his concentration is horrific and he is so strong willed it’s hard to get him to do anything! He doesn’t really have any interests as he’s not used to playing with other children (covid and doesn’t go to nursery/childminder)
I feel like a shit mum for not doing things with him constantly but I’m just out of ideas and money

I follow this lady on ig
Might be helpful!

Emma👩🏻‍💼and R 👶🏻 (@an.activity.a.day) • Instagram photos and videos

instagram.com

@an.activity.a.day

 

[peachhes]

Not sure how many this thread will apply to but I struggle with ideas for my 2 year old, his concentration is horrific and he is so strong willed it’s hard to get him to do anything! He doesn’t really have any interests as he’s not used to playing with other children (covid and doesn’t go to nursery/childminder)
I feel like a shit mum for not doing things with him constantly but I’m just out of ideas and money

 

[BattleAxer]

I have a 2 year old and feel so guilty that I don't do enough, I know nobody else with a child around his age. So socialisation is something I feel lacked, my local children's centre shut indefinitely after Covid else that would have been my first port of call. They did many activities there.

A walk in nature can keep a small attention span grabbed for quite some time! I think all toddlers are like this, in particular boys. I've tried baking cakes but my boy loses the interest after a quick stir, he seems to be more interested in anything involving rough and tumble. So things such as the bog standard swing Park and soft play centres have been a god send and there are some really cheap ones out there and possibly the only opportunity he has thus far to connect with other children his age. At home, messy play! A roll of wallpaper pattern face down and a few crayons kept us both entertained for hours and was an opportunity to play educational games. Chalk is good too if you have some outdoor space, draw different shapes and get him to stand on or point out the right one. On days in, I often spend time following his lead.... and if he wants to lead me up and down the stairs a dozen times counting them all, so be it.

Petting farms? Not sure if they're still open but I took another of my kids at that age to a dog shelter for a day out, it cost about a pound to get in. They absolutely loved it.