playtents and tunnels

[confustication]

I have two very busy little boys, and the weather outside isn't great. I'm looking for things to keep them busy in the house while burning off some of that climb/crawl/run/bounce energy.

This morning has consisted of chasing them off the table, out of the closet, out of their sister's room where they were swinging in her hammock and out of the dryer, where they climbed to play and giggle. BOTH OF THEM.

26 mos and 12 mos.

Also, and just sharing with the universe- I don't know if it's a gender thing- but my oldest daughter was MUCH happier to color/read/play with small manipulative stuff. My boys NEED gross motor/physical play to be happy.

[texaspeach]

if you have an ikea nearby they have playtents an d tunnels

[St. Margaret]

Yeah, Ikea has awesome stuff! We could never get it b/c DD was terrified of tunnels for the longest time. If you want some really intense stuff, one step ahead.com has some indoor play things like that, too!

[just_lily]

If you have wild boys, you may not find a tent all that great. I have one, and it spends most of the time in the closet. Every once in a while I try bringing it out, but it barely lasts an hour before either someone is hurt, the tent is about to get wrecked, or the kids just go beyond crazy. I'm not sure what it is about the darn tent that does it, but it happens every time.

I have had kids jump on top of it (sometimes with other kids inside), kids try to stand up inside it (it is too short for this), kids try to lean against the wall and knock it over (sometimes with the kids flying into the wall, the tv, or another kid), kids jump out of it and tackle other kids, and once I had one boy sit in it while another boy dragged it all over the room.

I bought it thinking they would have fun playing pretend, have picnics, maybe take their dolls in there. Nope. No way. It is way more fun to try to break the tent and hurt each other.

So if you have wild toddler boys, a play tent may not be the way to go. I am sure all of my kids would do the same thing with a tunnel.

Instead I would maybe look at a little indoor rebounder with a handle, or if you have the space maybe a small slide or something.

I had the little red tent from Ikea, for what it is worth. It was about $15.

[starbuckmom]

My mil gave the boys money for their 1st birthday and I went to Target and found a tunnel for $15. It was a great toy for all 3 boys. They love crawling through it!! It gets rid of lots of energy. We don't get it out all the time but when we do, they get very excited!!

I bought a swing from Ikea and it's hanging from a floor joist in the basement. My older ds loves to swing on it. I also have a toddler swing hanging down there too.

I am going to find some more things to get for the basement for this upcoming winter season where we can play downstairs and get rid of energry.

[confustication]

I am a little worried that it wouldn't hold up to them, one is a sensory seeker and can be pretty boisterous these days. But he is also the one who LOVES tunneling in and under things. Hmm.

[justKate]

How about making your own "tents" with receiving blankets?

Or maybe that would be unsafe? I don't know. My DD is waaay to destructive to make anything....

[confustication]

Originally Posted by justKate

How about making your own "tents" with receiving blankets?

Or maybe that would be unsafe? I don't know. My DD is waaay to destructive to make anything....

I'm usually a huge fan of making things, but with these two, I want stuff that's engineered to withstand a rhino!

I am going to have to be creative, I fear. I found them climbing the shelves during the 30 seconds that I had the audacity to go to the bathroom. They're speedy!

[crunchy_mommy]

We have a play tent, DS likes it but since he's an only child & I can't easily fit into the tunnel he gets bored with it quickly. I got ours from IKEA but I saw a similar one at Target.

In your case I would consider getting one of those outdoor climber/slide things (ala Little Tikes) and set that up in the house. Or those gymnastics mats & giant mat blocks (on this idea: http://www.amazon.com/GSC-Expando-Su...5112342&sr=1-9 and http://www.amazon.com/GSC-1041743-In...112421&sr=8-14)

[spmamma]

We have an awesome play tent from Target that we got DD for Christmas last year. It's shaped like a tree and is tall enough that she can stand in it. DD (3) and DS (almost 11 MO) love to play in it together.

It's currently set up in a corner in her bedroom, which I think helps protect it a bit, since it's surrounded by two walls and the end of her bed. I love hearing their shrieks of laughter and watching the tent bounce back and forth from their shenanigans.

[Coconut Chronicles]

Seconding (or thirding) the Ikea suggestions above. We have the Speja tunnel and DS is just nuts about it.