Playtime activity suggestions?

[ahacker]

We are needing some new ideas for playtime. Willow is almost 17 months. She loves to be read to and she has a kitchen with accessories that she also loves. It is too cold/rainy to be outside. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Amy

Geez, had to edit this. I said she was almost 18 months. Ummm, no 17. Oops. :oops:

[lisamarie]

When Lucy was that age we danced ALL the time, usually to Tanya Tucker. It kept her busy forever.

And my mom had bought her those lego kind of blocks and she LOVED those.

And then dh had an old keyboard and she loved using that alot. But that was about it..other than taking my Longaberger basket and carrying them everywhere...heeh

[wantingbabynumber2]

do you mind messes?

If not one of Hannah's things she loved to do was play with this goo. Its best if you have a high edge high chair and put her in a onsie. But you take equal parts of water and argo cornstarch it makes this goo that is super runny but then if you push on it its hard as a rock. If you grab it in your fist its a hard ball then open your palm and it just oozes through your fingers. When it dries its powder again but it can get messy while they are playing with it. But its cheap easy entertainment. We used to also do a toddler version of hide and seek with one of her favorite stuffed animals like put it in her kitchen with just an ear sticking out or something and the first few times you have to kinda walk them through the whole process of seeking but Hannah caught on really quick. Then I take her in her room hide the animal then let her go look. It was so cute. She is a bit young but you can always do crafty stuff and let her paste stuff together. You can do playdough store bought or make your own. I also have a recipe for a thing that is like sticky goo stuff you make with glue and detergent that is fun too. Hope that helps

[ahacker]

I had been thinking about getting some playdough. I just wasn't sure if she would be trying to eat it all the time.

I might try the cornstarch thing today. She loves to squish things.

She has blocks, but isn't into them much yet. We do run around the house and play peekaboo. She loves that. She is getting into more independant play, but that still only lasts for so long.

Amy

[wantingbabynumber2]

Hannah would literally play with the cornstarch for an hour. Usually it was followed by a bath its non toxic so they can get in their hair mouth whatever but since it is runny it can be messy. You can also give her cups and spoons to pour it in and pick up with. The commercial playdough says you can eat it its safe but I will send you a homemade recipe that is salt and flour at least there is nothing in that and I think it smells better. But it doesn't keep for as long as the commercial playdough either. Also the parents as teacher lady brings rice and beans dried mixed together to let them play in thats fun for them to run their hands through and pour in and out of things.

[MommyX3]

She might be a bit young for this but maybe not... for Christmas we got Hide-and-seek Hailey.. and Becca (3) and Andrea (7) love it.. I hide it somewhere in the house and they have to find it... Days when Andrea is at school, i hide it for becca and she looks for it...

Also V-tech and this thing you can hock up to the tv and search for shaps etc. We just got it but haven't tryed it yet... but it starts out at 9mo - 36mo.

[Terra]

Piper and I have done play dough once. She did really good with it. She tried to eat it a few times, but didn't actually get a chance to eat it. It is non toxic though. I gave her a fork to poke/smash it too. That's probably one of the reasons she wanted to eat it LOL and I had her in the high chair :D Piper likes to color sometimes too. I put her in the high chair for that as well--don't want her coloring on the walls. The one time she wasn't in her chair that is what she did. So she's in her chair and I tape a page to the tray so it doesn't move on her. You could try drumming on pots and pans. That is really noisy, but fun. I could use some new/different play suggestions too. Piper is really into her Little People right now. For the most part, she plays by herself. She likes it if I play too, but is fine if I don't.

[ahacker]

We've done the pots and pans, she is kinda tired of that one. She isn't into coloring right now. I think because she is getting more teeth. All she wants to do is chew on the crayons. I bought her some playdough last night, so maybe I will give it a try tomorrow. She is at grandmas house today.