What do you do with your toddler?

ktod

Could do with some new ideas - cheap ones.

Here's what we already do:
beach
playpark
drawing/painting
small bit of kids tv
scooter/trike
play with toys at home
walk the dog
rare visits to a soft-play area
baking

Any ideas much appreciated

amiable

We feed the ducks at a lake nearby
We go swimming once a week
We go to the playground at the weekend if its dry
We go to a farm to see the cows which he loves
We always make time for some wrestling each day.
I'm looking forward to the summer to go to the beach

ktod

Ooh, thanks! Loving the idea of the animals - we have horses and donkeys up the road from us, and ducks in town. He loves animals too, can't believe I never thought of that - amazing what not enough sleep can do to you.

amiable

i know the feeling:D

ktod

Ha ha - don't even get me started on The Sleep Issue. That deserves a thread all by itself!

Greystoner

We do alot of the above, but also off the top of my head...

ANYTHING MESSY! (Great when the weather is good, because it can all be done in the garden) Water play, sand play, etc
Collecting rocks from the beach and painting them, can add stickers too.
Walking through paint barefoot and then all over the paper.
Going on nature walks and everything is fascinating to them; looking down holes, picking up sticks and pine cones, seeing all the things that we don't even notice anymore.
Playdoh.
Play shops.
Chalk on the pavement.
Make a tent in the house (2 chairs and a blanket and cushions etc and have a picnic in it!)

It's so magic being a toddler, I try to regain some of the magic through my little ones!

Have fun and don't worry about the mess. They grow up too quickly!

ktod

Hey Greystoner - loving the idea of painting stones from the beach, could paint shells too.

Little Boy loves mess/mud and most especially Jumping In Muddy Puddles (thank you Peppa Pig).

Totally agree, they are a complete joy at this age, just wanting to keep it fresh

metrovelvet

This is such a magical age... we are on our way out of it heading towards four years old, it is golden.

I've done everything listed here but I would add one thing.

The beach. When I take my son into the waves he is pure joy. I remember the first time as a toddler he encountered the waves of the mediteranean bouncing at his feet, and I'd lift him up and down to kick the waves and to play chase with them up and down the shore. He would let out squeals of delight.

BostonB

Rainy days, puddle plashing. Especially on the balance bike.

Botanic Garden.

Train/Luas ride, or simply go into the station to look at the trains. Grandparents with free travel etc.

Play dates with other kids.