Everyday Cures for Toddler Boredom

Sorry I haven't posted much this week, but we've actually been busy with fun things like swimming (our community pool is FINALLY open) and going to lunch (add both of those to lists of things to do).

Despite our fun the last few days, sometimes you aren't so busy. Some days your toddlers drive you nuts with things like the continual touching of the tv/DVD player/satellite box even though you've told them NO about 100 times. Sometimes you need a list of simple ideas to distract them from the things you don't want them to do. This will give you a few minutes of time for yourself (and by time for yourself I mean enough time to go and take a pee).

So here's my list of everyday things around the house that can entertain a one-year-old. These are things we've done more than once that the kids enjoy.

1.  Learn to go up and down the steps.

2.  Have a tea party.

3.  Go outside and pick some flowers.

4.  Take clothes in and out of the laundry basket.  Push the laundry basket around and put other stuff inside it.

5.  Play with your dog's (empty) bowls.

6.  Read the newspaper with your Dad.  (This is almost a daily occurance at our house - the kids LOVE this!)

7.  Read some books.  We have tons around the house and check out new books from the library every two weeks.

8.  Invent your own toys by recycling things you might otherwise throw out.  The toy above is simply a shoe box with foam cut to fit the box.  (The foam was padding for the new glass for our oven door.  That's another story.)  Susannah had a great time taking the foam in and out of the box. 

9.  Play with your shoes.

10.  Hide underneath your dining room table.  This is a little clubhouse for Max and Susannah.

11.  Learn to climb onto the couch and the ottoman.  (This has been Susannah's goal this week.  As you can see she can get on top of the ottoman now and is almost able to get on the couch by herself.  I had to add this one because I love this picture of Susannah because it's so representative of her little personality.)

12.  Play with boxes of macaroni and cheese.  These are on a low shelf in my overflow pantry shelves in the garage.  Susannah picks them up, shares one with her brother, and then they shake, shake, shake.  There's currently two boxes of mac and cheese in my car for toddler entertainment. 

13.  Help with the cooking.  We were making pizza (obviously).  I gave each child a little bowl with cheese to put on their pizzas (we were making two).  Most of the cheese ended up in their mouths, but they had a great time "helping".