Hi.
Have you seen these threads?
Activity and toy ideas for 0-3mthsWhat are your 2 year olds favorite toys?Physical Activity (To Tire Out) When Cold/Dark Outside - Ideas?Cycle of Activity-Help Build Independent PlaytimeReading books is certainly one of the best activities you can offer LOs. If you feel comfortable to introduce cooking, cleaning etc then yes this is a great age for those things.
I started cooking with my DS using a small kid's table until he could stand up on a chair to work at the kitchen unit along side me. It doesn't need to be limited to baking, kids like making 'real' food for their own lunch, spreading bread with butter, grating cheese etc to produce a sandwich which you can then sit down together to eat. Mine like to make stew as it involves so many different vegetables to peel and chop.
Mine also loves to help wash the floors, and uses a small vacuum cleaner and broom to sweep the floors, he loves it. We dont' have windows at the right level for him to wash but toddlers tend to enjoy that too.
Gardening or any other house hold chores are fun for toddlers, they just love to learn all the things Mummy does.
Trips to the shop are great too, especially when you don't *need* something so have the time to focus on guiding, exploring, explaining the expected behaviour etc. I used to let mine touch and pick up and lot more than many parents might (always making sure we put everything back, and limiting to non-breakables) because i had the time and I'm sure this has helped him become a great shopper.
