HELP! Need Suggestions on How to Entertain a Busy Almost 3 Year Old.

My best advice is to get him outdoors as much as possible. Little children are building and developing their physical and mental abilities and running in a park where there is plenty of room to run and things to discover is a great way to do both without feeling like you stuck with a caged bird. Also there are several studies that show that lung development, healthy attitudes about physical exercise, and the immune system depend heavily on outdoor activity. Also it is good for the mood. Even an hour a day you will see improvements in concentration and less pent up frustration. This is the perfect time to get out there. Even if it is just walking in your neighborhood, but here in DFW there are plenty of awesome parks and nature preserves.

PS There is some fantastic studies you can find by researching outdoor preschools which are very popular in Europe and are now spreading here. Here is one such place
they have some great articles.
http://secretgardenoutdoor-nursery.co.uk/

Girl, I have wondered/worried about the same thing! I have a 3-year-old boy and WOW...high energy is an understatement. I have been reassured by his teachers (as he is in preschool) that he active, healthy, and right on track with other boys his age. In fact, a lot of his rambunctiousness he saves for me ;)

Is your son in preschool? You might look into a mother's day out or something for even a morning or two a week just to give him some socialization away from you and some "structure." This might also ease your worries about ADHD.

But I think you've been given some good suggestions. I know that for us, going to the park and being outdoors is awesome for him and more relaxing for me. (Especially now that the weather is cooling off). He can really entertain himself and explore. Between the playground, walking trails (we pick up treasures - rocks, sticks, feathers, leaves, etc), feeding the ducks/squirrels, kicking a soccer ball or hitting off a tee, you can really entertain them (and the best part is it is all free).

In Fort Worth, 3-year-olds can play soccer through the YMCA. And tee-ball I think. In Arlington soccer is at 4 years old, but they do have other activities. Last year I had my son go to gymnastics and he loved it.

Good luck! Boys rock!

C.,

Hmmm... keeping a 3year old busy:

If you have a back yard, have them deliver a load of sand and buy him some Tonka equipment. Don't build a "sandbox"... just leave it a big "mountain".. He'll level it for you. Be sure to wash the toys off after playing with them though, because the sand will dry and lock up the gears. Little boys love to dig and tunnel. You'll get YEARS of play out of this.

Have you introduced him to legos (they have bigger ones for toddlers)? TInker toys? Lincoln Logs? Wood blocks? Does he have a tricycle? How about a puppy? Drum set?? JungleGym/fort?

TAke him outside and teach him to kick a soccer ball. Make him an obstacle course to take the ball through, sorta like putt putt... kick the ball through the two cones, through the old tire, through the tunnel... etc.

Could you get him into Karate?

and, no. It's not too early to wonder about ADHD, but... a vast number of 2-3-4 year old boys are diagnosed as ADHD too early and are really just those budding athletes, artists, engineers, etc.. their minds and bodies are just ACTIVE... Teach him how to channel his energy now and perhaps he'll be better prepared to handle his own behavior in school later.

It's not too early to wonder, but he's probably just your average active 3 year old. Most doctors won't even give a diagosis until around age 7. Arlington has great parks, so I'd take him as often as possible. Check out River Legacy Park (google it if you don't know where it is) in North Arlington, and Bowman Springs park in SW Arlington. It's at the very western end of Pleasant Ridge. Fantastic, both of them! Also, try a class like Kindermusic or Little Gym or something. Keep him moving and running and thinking every day. That's the only way to ensure your sanity and his happiness. =) Good luck!