Ideas for 20 month and 4 year old playing together

[lovesea]

Anybody have any ideas of activities that we could all do together while we're at home. I always seem to be playing with one or the other and the child who's not being played with eventually gets fed up and spoils the game. It would save so much energy if we were all focused on the same activity. All ideas gratefully received

[34me]

Do you have somewhere to do sidewalk chalk? We all loved to do it together.

[LaughingHyena]

Outdoors how about blowing bubbles, giving them each a bowl of water and some plastic cups or some big paintbrushes to "paint" with the water. Mine also both like playing in sand but it can lead to a lot of arguments over who smashed up who's sandcastle.

Indoors they both like sticking, I kept a box of precut shapes ad pictures when they were little. Now they prefer to cut their own. Crayons and playdough are also a hit and I can usually get something done in the kitchen while they play.

Now they are a little older I can sit at the table and help them both with puzzles.

They were not able to role play together at that age but if I joined in as a customer in the shop/restaurant I could usually get both children involved.

[sapphire_chan]

Things dd's done with 4 year olds (3-6 year olds):
pushing a car around
throw and chase balls
train set (make sure that there's plenty of trains)
chasing on the playground (works best if older child is deliberately letting the toddler chase them)
swinging next to big kids, in many parks the swings are set up so you could push both kids at once.
tea parties
playing the piano
reading books together, both just side by side and with dd asking the older child "what's this?" and, of course, me reading stories to them.

[sleepingbeauty]

We color with crayons and play Play-Doh. Bubbles are good for outside. We'll have to get some sidewalk chalk..... (W is 3 yrs, Z is 20 mos)

[ledzepplon]

Do you have access to a sandbox? They'd also likely both enjoy water play, like with a little water table or kiddie pool or small bin with water. Do they like to play baby dolls? Or dress up?

[limabean]

Things my 5yo and 2.5yo do together:

Water table
Dig in sand (at parks)
Sidewalk chalk
Build with blocks (this one has a high risk of ending in frustration though)
Dress up
Sing/dance
Play instruments (mostly percussion)
Play in the toy kitchen
Play with their bin of Schleich animals (the loooove this for some reason)
Build forts with blankets and pillows

[honeybunmom]

My kids are 16 mos and 4.75. My daughter (older) likes to push my son around in the play shopping cart or wagon . . . and have him push her! He can even though she's 42 lbs! She loves running from him and having him chase her. He laughs away. They also enjoy throwing a ball to each other (wool ball in the house; big bouncer ball outside). If they are at the park my daughter is satisfied pushing her brother on a swing.