This isn't really a problem yet, but I see it becoming one quick. I have recently quit my job and I am due to have baby #2 on Wednesday of next week. We only have one car, so I get stuck at home with no way to go anywhere. I used to take my son for a walk to the park or to go get ice cream, but that won't be an option once the baby is born because she is a going to be a c-section. My hubby will be home for a few weeks, but what do I do once he goes back to work and I still can't go for a walk with my son? I will basically be stuck inside our 1 bedroom apartment, which is on the 2nd floor too. So I can't even just let him go play outside cause I can't go up and down the stairs. I need ideas for activities for us to do to keep him entertained. I already have cartoons that he watches every morning that kills about an hour. And his favorite movie, I let him watch it once or twice a week, but I do NOT want to over do it on the TV. As it is the TV he watches I think is too much, but he is actually learning from it, so I don't want to cut it out. :) Any creative, inexpensive ideas would be SO helpful. Thanks all.
Hi
I recommend two books:
The toddler / preschooler busy book
501 TV activities for kids
Both are packed with activities and ideas. YOu could probably find both on Amazon
Good luck
Try sproutonline.com They have some great craft ideas for kids. Some are for kids a little older, but most can be modified for the younger ones. They even have coloring pages you can print from your computer and let your little one go crazy with crayons. I've found that my 3-year old daughter enjoys markers more than crayons, so I bought some washable ones. They truly are washable. You should have seen the kid yesterday after "art session". She cleaned right up with soap and water. Also, a side note - I don't know if your first baby was a c-section or not. I had a c-section and you will be very surprised at how quickly you'll heal. I took advantage of our insurance and stayed in the hospital for the full 5 days and by the time I came home I only had minor aches. (I did not take 6 weeks to heal like they said I would) Best of luck to you!!
You may want to check out "The Toddlers Busy Book" by Trish Kuffner. You can "search inside" it on amazon.com. to see if it might work for you.
S.,
You've got a lot of great ideas here for things to do with your son. I think someone else touched on having a friend help... Do you have anyone with kids that could come over 1-2 times a week for playdates or join a playgroup so that not only your kids are getting that socialization time, but you too! You will need it!!! It'll be soon enough that you will be able to do the walks again once baby is old enough to be in the stroller outdoors and you are feeling up to it again.
Best wishes,
C.~
http://www.HelpUStayHome.com
http://www.ToxicFreeFamily.net
Congratulations!
You will be surprised at how well you heal from your c-section. The 1st week is definitely challenging, but by week 3 its amazing how well you will be getting around.
Ideas for your 2 year old - Legos!! Coloring with everything from coloring books to finger painting and puzzles always keep them busy.
Good luck!
Living Books would be fun for him (a book that you "read" on the computer), it reads to them and allows them to "play" with the animated characters. Also, have you ever done anything with flannel board? You can make a flannel board of your own using felt (or flannel) material over a big sqaure of plywood. Then you print and cut out characters of stories and glue flannel or felt to the back of the picture. He can tell stories with the pictures and play games. If you don't want to make it yourself, you can also buy some from several places online (just google Story Board Felts), this is also an excellent source of ideas for characters to print out. Books are always a good bet. I know you might not think so, but boys this age also usually like dress up dolls (or paper dolls to dress up). You can make these yourself using some clipart (I have some from PC Hugware, but I am sure there are some free versions online) or by purchasing some (again online, Story Board Felts would have some too, or at discountschoolsupply.com).
You can also make sure to have some art supplies around. He is pretty young, so supervise carefully, but if you prepare beforehand you could have several little craft projects that he can do with little to no supervision. Just prepare what you have to do beforehand (or have daddy help while he is at home too) and store them until needed. For some fun ideas go to FamilyFun.com. My children also love sticker books. I recommend the "My Giant Sticker Books" that you can find online (overstock.com, barnes&noble, borders.com, etc) or at your local bookstore, they are cheaper and have more stickers. Also, if you have some friends with kids his age, ask if one of them would be willing to schedule a regular playdate (or arrange several playdates with different people) where they will take him to the park or outside with their own children for an hour or so. Good luck. I'm sure you'll make it, but it might be a little tough at times. Keep smiling.
(I'm due on May 22nd).
Make room for large motor activities. Turn up the radio and let him dance crazy. There are movement CD's out there. "Kids in Motion" by Greg and Steve is my favorite.
-You can homemake streamers (shower curtain rings and ribbons) and shakers (paper plates or toilet tubes and beans).
-Even gather up the couch cushions and pillow and let him jump away (during the day when neighbor below is at work).
-Balloons are good to bounce around-be careful of pieces if they pop.
-Hit the thirft store to look for dress up clothes. --Homemade playdough- 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1/3 cup oil. Add colored water to desired consistency. Store in airtight container and it will last a 2-3 weeks. You can add extracts for different smells.
-let him finger paint with cool whip or pudding. Fun and messy
-watercolors on coffee filters. another fun one is to color coffee filters with markers them spray with a little water,colors run together.
Go to a teacher supply store to find a book on activities for 2 year olds. You can make flannel boards easy and learn new songs and finger plays. Get books on CD's from the library.
Hi S.:
Wow My first thought was...Been there done that! You know, as soon as you mentioned tutoring middle-school kids,A light went off in my head.How about exchanging a few hours of tutoring for a few hours of entertaining your toddler?Kids that age usually love little kids,and,if they are responsible enough, they could even get him out side for a short time.: ) Purchase plenty of (large drawing paper) and colored pencils and markers, and let him get creative to!My sons use to spend hours drawing. the best to you S.
Here's some links for SAHM groups in your area:
http://sahm.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/colton/?from=popTopics
http://www.raisingthem.com/groups/directory/playgroups/
Hmmm, regarding the vehicle problem though...In my household, we also have just 1 car. I am a SAHM and my hubby works about 50+hours per week. What we do to handle that is- he carpools to go to work... and after work he either car-pools or takes the express bus home.
Being that I am the one home with the kids (my oldest goes to school and my youngest is 20 months old),I NEED transportation as well as getting my oldest to and from school, to their doctor appointments etc. The everyday "necessities" of having kids and getting them around and me too and having to run errands etc. for the household. You will also have to go to your follow-up doctor appointments after you have the baby, and your newborn will need to go to the doctor too.
Eventually, think down the road... it is very hard to be cooped up in an apartment, with a baby AND a toddler.... perhaps come to a compromise with your Hubby about the car... since you have the kids, you would need transportation. It's not just for pleasure...my Hubby realizes that although he would like the car, he knows that with me having the kids it is more for survival and necessity that I have the car. Thus this arrangement has worked out for us. But if your Hubby relies on having a car for work and needs to travel...then well, it would be hard.
It has worked out for us. Would this be a possible idea for your Husband? Would he be agreeable with it?
Other than that, I take my kids on walks, one in the stroller, and my oldest can walk... and we go to the neighborhood park etc. Once the kids get older... you can also use the Bus to go places. In our area, the bus is pretty safe and the district is safe too... so I don't feel that nervous about that. But, yes, it is hard to travel with young children on public transportation and by yourself.
Is there perhaps, another "friend" in your apartment complex, that you know well and trust... and perhaps they can assist you in times you need help...or even just to entertain your son....or IF they perhaps have a toddler as well, they can have play dates? With my kids, I do a lot of craft things... I buy doo-dads in bulk from the local dollar store or Price Busters and put everything in a big plastic bin. You can also use this opportunity to sort of home-school him... I did that when my girl was about 2 years old....I had fun workbooks that were age appropriate and once they get the concept, they can often do it themselves. It will prep him for later if/when he goes to preschool. Maybe when baby naps, you can incorporate things like this. But I know you'll be tired too. It's hard to juggle everything.
I hope this helps, I know it's not always easy to think of ideas to keep our little ones busy. I still draw blanks at times.
take care and congratulations on baby #2!
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo
the simplest activities seem to be the most successful & time consuming. playdough! making your own... even better. a cardboard box & some markers... what can it be? if you can spare a few toilet paper rolls... oh what fun to unroll & create! PAINT! READ! put a can of shaving cream out on a baking sheet & allow messy sensory fun! add spoons, cups, etc. good for fine motor skills & just plain fun. a little mess can surely go a long way. involve your toddler in the clean up... even better. they love cleaning! a wet sponge can go a long way too! have fun! most of all... enjoy it yourself!
