Need some indoor activities for 16 mths and 3.5 yr old

[janelle]

So it's finally raining over here   We sooo desperately need the rain but now I can't take the kids outside in the afternoons to play   I really struggle inteh afternoons because dh has gone to work the kids are grotty becasue they haven't napped/haven't napped long enough so I usually throw them outside to play for the afternoon or go for a walk.  What do I do now???

Last winter dh was still small enough that I could all my usual arts and crafts with dd without him interferring but now.........ugh he is such a destroyer

So I need some good rainy day activities that I can do with both of them together.  something different as we spend all morning dong the story books, blocks, jigsaw puzzle type thing.  Keeping in mind that everything still goes into his mouth including playdoh and beans from the sensory tub ....sigh...

Any ideas.

[Ennypen]

Making hats and things with newspaper could be one... he can screw some up and rip it and so forth and DD could help make hats and jewellery and boats etc...  Just cover the floor with sheets of it.. and sit in the middle.. lol xx

Blow up a few balloons and let them run about after them and bop them about..

If they are really grotty pop them in the bath together.. maybe get some of that bath colouring stuff... blow bubbles.. let them play and splash...

Could you make some playdough that won't hurt DS if he pops it into his mouth? There are a load of recipes out there.. most a bit salty but at least you know its not toxic unless he eats loads of it..

Put a cd on and dance.. Woo loves dancing and it relieves loads of tension...

I heard someone say the other day about fillins a baby bath with rice or cornflakes and letting them play with cups and things in it.. a bit messy but at least its dry and can be hoovered up. Cornflakes and grains of rice if popped in the mouth wouldnt hurt..

Make a tent with blanketsover the table or clothes airer and go camping.. (if DS doesnt destroy it)

If I think of anything else.. I'll shout! We are having far too many rainy days here and I have been thinking of a few things for Woo to do and he's just turned 2 so he's in the middle of your kids age range..

H xxxxxx

[janelle]

Thanks Helen!!  Might just have to try some of those ideas   I like the cornflakes in the bath

[Ennypen]

Let me  know what your LOs think if you try any of them.. I am about to do the balloon one and the dancing one with Woo when he gets up from his nap!

H xxx

[MDHmommy]

Make Ooblick, this is really fun. You can add a drop or 2 of food coloring to the water before you mix to give it some color. I did this with DS when he was about 13 mos and he loved it.

http://www.science-house.org/CO2/activities/polymer/oobleck.html

[Ennypen]

Make Ooblick, this is really fun. You can add a drop or 2 of food coloring to the water before you mix to give it some color. I did this with DS when he was about 13 mos and he loved it.

http://www.science-house.org/CO2/activities/polymer/oobleck.html

Do you know that cornflour as we call it here is already on my shopping list so Woo and I can have a go at that lol.. so long as its dryish and we can do it outside! Looks like great fun!

H xxx

[MDHmommy]

We did it in the highchair - it's not that messy really. I mean, I wouldn't do it on the living room carpet, but it's ok for the kitchen So fun!

[Claire Anne]

Hmph no sympathy we have been rained out every day for the last 46!!!! (Apparently it has rained every day for 46 days can you believe it?!!!!)

Seriously though - my 2 love painting. Makes a massive mess but the paints are washable and non toxic so easy to clean up. My DD had a red face last weekend as she decided to mush her hands into the paint then rub her face and suck her thumb!!! Looks ridiculous but did her no harm. Poor DH has difficulty with the 'mess' factor - I can see the brow furrowing and his hands getting ready to wipe down as they launch themselves at it but he is getting better!!!

[janelle]

WE tried finger painting yesterday   Put a big roll of paper out on the floor and squirted paint all over it.  LIana loooooved it, Liam didn't want to touch it....sigh  He did enjoy the clean up bath though!!

[Khyan & Sahria's mum]

Hey Janelle

Don't know steady Liam is on his feet but most of these things he could do even if crawling.

How bout Obstacle courses - chairs to run or skip around, tables to crawl under, hoola hoops to jump in and out of, tape on the floor to walk on etc

Toss rolled up socks into a bucket or washing basket

Musical statues - Liam prob wont get it but will love some silly dancing

Walking like an animal, how does a dog,cat, elephant, etc walk

Cubby houses or pillow piles to crawl/roll on etc.

Blowing and popping bubbles

Umm or one of the play centres like Riverton - leisureplex, Jungle Gym, Tropical Twist in O'conner, Also I think there is a new one in Gosnells. Quite often these are my saviours 

Today you may even get a couple of mins outside as I can see only a few clouds

Ok I have more somewhere but my kids are close to killing each other 

Goodluck - soon we should meet up at one of the kids playgrounds and we can have a chat while they run around like crazy monkeys !

[TDR'smom]

Sorry if this has already been posted...

Can they play in the bath together.  Make a mini pool out of the bathtub with different toys....

[janelle]

Umm or one of the play centres like Riverton - leisureplex, Jungle Gym, Tropical Twist in O'conner, Also I think there is a new one in Gosnells. Quite often these are my saviours  Wink

hmmmmm....we spent the morning at one today

And this afternoon we ran around outside in the rain in our gum boots and parkas then had a warm bath

Goodluck - soon we should meet up at one of the kids playgrounds and we can have a chat while they run around like crazy monkeys !

OOH!  That would be lovely!