What to do with a cabin-feverish 18 month old?

[mrsfrenchy]

I'm a full time student, so my 18 month old is normally in daycare 4x a week. They do a LOT there, but obviously now we're on Christmas break (almost to the end of the 2nd week, we've got two more weeks off after this).

It's rainy and cold outside, so the park or going for a walk are out of the option. But DD is just so bored. She keeps asking to go in the car...but I have no where fun to take her.

So what do you do when you're stuck inside with a toddler that wants something fun to do? This boredom is affecting her mood and her sleep schedule--we're desperate for ideas.

[fancyoats]

we go to the pet store sometimes and look at the fish and the lizards and the parakeets and the hamsters and the puppies and the kittens. you get the idea. it's like a mini zoo!!

sometimes i will run the sink full of warm, soapy water and she can play in there with measuring cups and tupperware.

we also have a tub full of dry rice and beans that is like a sandbox and she has fun digging in there and pouring. if you put a sheet down on the floor under it, that minimizes the sweeping afterwards.

building forts out of couch cushions and blankets.

my dd like to follow along when i do a yoga/pilates video, too.

homemade playdough.

lots of reading.

dancing to abba!

i'm not gonna lie, i fall back on dvds sometimes.

[rvamommy]

Originally Posted by fancyoats

building forts out of couch cushions and blankets...

lots of reading...

dancing to abba!...

i'm not gonna lie, i fall back on dvds sometimes.

Ditto on all of these!

The couch cushions have been really fun lately - we just pile them on the floor and let her climb over them and tumble and she has a blast.

Do you have a mall near you? Most have indoor play areas for kids. Or a Chick-Fil-A.

We also go to Target just to wander around.

Trips to the Library are fun.

Or just going to someone elses house for a couple of hours. Any friends or family you could visit or playdates you could make?

We're in the same boat here w/ our 17 m/o - I'm basically describing our plans for the week!

Good luck

[4Jet]

Yes- mall, library, museum, Target if possible. Do you know anyone you can call and set up a playdate?

In house play:
- make puppets from socks and put on a puppet show
- Toss a large blanket over the dining room chairs to make a fort
- Make a room dakr and play with flashlights/ shadow puppets
- make play dough or fingerpaint
- coloring is always a hit. Cut up a magazine and make a book.