Quiet, night time activities 3yrs

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

Im looking for some quiet night time activities for DS who is just about 3. I am by myself the majority of nights and need to put DD to sleep while DS is still awake. I need about 20 minutes. TV is not an option as we don't watch TV and colouring and play dough don't work either as DS still thinks he needs to eat play dough and crayons Any thoughts?

[RachelC]

How about some Busy Bags?

Some ideas here (but seeing tons on Pinterest )

http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2011/10/busy-bags.html

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

Cool! Love it!

[JudyLee]

Felt story boards are an excellent one too. You can get girl and boy versions. You can also make your own and tell him stories during the day that he can act out with the felt and night.

[skatty]

Leorah loved these books from 3, her fave is definiletly the wizard one but there are many to choose from, just ask him to count quietly 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1001-Wizard-Things-Spot-Usborne/dp/074608417X/ref=pd_sim_b_14

Her fave pastime in the world at 3 was Hama beads, she still likes these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-10-3028-Giant-gift-box/dp/B004LQ03P6/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1330768596&sr=8-32

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

Great ideas girls! Thanks!

[Nauvoo]

Stickers!!!!  My 3 year old can keep pretty busy with them. And they at least don't grind into the carpet.  Can be a big mess if you get the small ones.  DD loves sticker books but be careful you only show how to do it rather than do it for him because I've learned that then DD expects me to be right with her to do the sticker book.

[Mashi]

Those busy bags are GREAT! Might have to make some up myself!  And love the Hama beads Katt, I have seen them here and not quite known if DS would be into them or not but might give them a try!

[skatty]

I think he will like them Mashi, it seems that the boys and girls at L's preschool like doing them and they can be as easy or as complicated as you want. The only negative is they get everywhere 

[teilvnav]

We have a few of those I Spy type books that are age appropriate, they are great! Every once in a while I get a different one from the library. We have a Leap Frog thingy where he put the letter in the slot and it makes the sound and sings a little song. He likes that one. I rotate a few easy puzzles that he likes and can now do without help, too. I have a few toys put away for `special times`like quiet time or when I need to put Anna to bed; I got them at the dollar store (an etch-a-sketch, a fancy flashlight, etc).

I like those busy bags; let me check my Pinterest when I get a chance and come back with some other links as well.

[clazzat]

I used to sing lullabies to m while I was feeding e and putting her to bed.

[teilvnav]

Ok, I found some sites for you. If you are like me, though, you will look through everything and see a few that your kids would love and be able to do, and then never have time to put the kits together. Oh well.

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/05/no-sew-i-spy-bag-and-quiet-book.html
http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/05/free-cothesline-busy-bag-instructions-and-pattern-download.html
http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/08/preshool-activity-trays.html
http://secondstorywindow.typepad.com/home/2011/10/toddler-time-busy-bag-series-part-2.html

The last one has several that I want to try. Maybe by the time Anna is 2 I will get there...

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

Thanks so much for all these great ideas! He will be a busy little fellow

[*Liz*]

Jacob can keep pretty quiet with a box of jigsaws - he can do more and more pieces as long as I am not watching - it I am there he gives up a lot sooner.

What about listening to stories?? I have a few CDs and books that match, and J will sit and listen pretty well now. You can also download free podcasts from some of the children's TV shows (that are just the audio versions of the bedtime stories - nothing branded - just someone reading a book).

When we were on holiday J would listen to a story on my iPhone with headphones in while I gave Megan her bottle and bedtime snuggle.