What to DO with an Almost 2 Year Old

I would really suggest... that you don't feel you "have to" entertain him, constantly. This is also not always beneficial.
Kids ALSO NEED time to themselves....where they are just playing by themselves, creatively and without constant "stimuli." This builds self-reliance and self-motivation... and creates a different kind of mastery in a child.
If one always "entertains" a child... they may also get used to it... and then can't think of anything by themselves or play by themselves.
Being "by yourself" is NOT a bad thing... it fosters quietude, reflection, thinking, peacefulness, concentration as well as many other things.

I think kids today,are "too" overly stimulated... meaning that as parents we feel we always have to "entertain" or be "teaching" our kids every second and turn them into little Einsteins or Mozarts, or make their aptitude into a 3 year old even though they are only 1-2 years old.

Just relax. Do your things... you can stay at home. And have him watch you too and what you do. That is what I do with my son who is 3, as well. I cook, clean, organize, read the paper etc... and ALL that time he is with me and I talk "out-loud" about what I am doing & thereby "teaching" him about life as he 'shadows' me around. He asks me questions about what I"m doing and about "life" and I teach him CONVERSATION skills as well as the experience of just "taking story with Mommy..." instead of lecturing/hovering/giving directions to him as a child. Which I feel is mega important. Sure, we also go out a lot and to the park and play dates and do errands. But, I don't "overly" entertain. There are times as well where I tell my son "can you play by yourself now... Mommy has to read the mail...", for example. And he says "okay, Mommy's turn..." and then he amused himself real well for his age.
BUT, things like this "teaches" a child TOO.

All the best,
Susan

Wow....it sounds like we are a lot alike. I have 2 kids (2 and 10mo). And I am doing a rotation between the park, gym, etc. I hate being at home too. My son also had the attention span of a flee at 21 mo, and now at 25mo he will pay attnetion to something for 5 minutes or so.

My suggestions (as lame as they may be)

introduce him to things you "think" he should be doing, he will most likely resist at first/or not be interested, but keep trying, eventually he will catch on and do it on his own

Coloring (he may resist at first....but keep trying for a month or so and he will eventually will start to do it himself) Magnadoodles are also good

Shape sorters (play with it with him, and he will start to play with it on him own) my son loves this flat circular elmo shape sorter

Pretend play with him (let him play with tupperware, and a couple of spoons and have him make you drinks/you make him drinks/food)

Have him help you with laundry/sweep (transfer clothes from washer to dryer, again===he will resist at first, but before you know it, he will start pretending to do laundry himself)

Dance....I know.....you probably dn't want to....but put on some good music, and make him dance, dance, dance with his stuff animals.....yes you will feel like a goof

Go to a basketball court near by and bring a few balls, and just throw them around.....

Last resorts: fisherprice.com has some online games (alphabet zoo) they are super easy for toddlers to use, signing times videos are AWESOME!

BTW...kids are interested in everything.....things that you and I take for granted are amazing to them. I was a camp counsler for several years, and I babysat a lot and I learned that even little things like flowers, rocks, street signs, etc. Just walk outside and show him random things.....he will learn so much.

I know most of these activities are not too interesting to adults...but they increase your kids attention/interest/ability to concentrate on things. AS his attention increases so will your free time.

HI I am a mother of 3 boys ages 13 yrs,8yrs,and7yrs. I also stayed at home with them.I agree with what everyone has said to you.They said everything I would have. I just wanted to add One thing.I think he would love Lego's.My boys would have so much fun.And it is amazing how creative they are.Coloring is a really good thing too.Anything to stimulate their precious little heads.Good Luck and Hope everything works out....

omg, I was feeling the exact same way!!! it is so hard trying to know what skills to work on and when he is ready for certain things, and it's not just you mommy, the kids get tired of the same-old same-old play space too... that said...
*rotate toys in & out of the play room/living room
*go play at a friend's house
*invite friend's kids over
*bring some toys that are traditionally kept in one room, outdoors

Fun things:
-play-doh (you'll have to be involved here!)
-water color
-crayon coloring
-stickers (you can put them on the drawings too)
-blocks
-big wheel bike
-sand box
-wood or foam puzzles with letters, numbers, shapes, cars...
-sing ABC's, let him echo each letter after you
-read books
-books with a musical CD that goes with it (might make a good Christmas gift if you don't have any)

He'll have fun helping you too--at that age, my daughter liked helping me water the plants and pull weeds, and now she is 25 months and she has 2 jobs, she fills the napkin holder on the table and puts the silverware away from the dishwasher, so you can look forward to having him do helpful things soon too!

when you are out and about, point things out, talk about numbers, colors, shapes... let him help you put things in/out of the shopping cart, teach him manners--saying hi/bye to the cashiers...

I hope you get lots more inspiring ideas!
-K.