D.B.
answers from
Charlotte
on
.
-
Q&A
Get advice from millions of moms -
Timeline
See what’s coming up for your child
Hey Mamas! I'm just looking for some creative ideas! My 17-month-old son needs to do something really active every day in order to sleep well through the night. He is not very crafty but very sporty - he loves to run around and play ball and such. We go to the pool regularly, and we have been going to the park in the mornings, but lately, it is so hot that my son really doesn't want to play at the park even early on (it is already 85+ when we get there!). Taking him shopping or something doesn't really work because he cannot really run around, and staying in the house, even running around or playing ball, doesn't seem to do the trick. We do go to the gym for Toddler Play once a week, but they don't offer it any other days. Does anyone have any suggestions on active things to do with a toddler when it's really too hot to play outside? If you're local, feel free to mention places to go, or broader advice is welcome, too. Thank you!
EDIT: My son gets up around 7, naps from 1-3:30, and goes to bed at 8! We've tried kiddie pools, and he doesn't like them (not sure why). Thanks!
.
I live in the sweltering heat all summer long too and I have a few ideas that will keep you sane....
1. Anything with water and it can even be indoors...fill up the bathtub and have a "tubby time" play period with all sorts of toys. I get Tub crayons, bath foam, bubble makers...all of it and let him go to town. Its good CLEAN FUN!
2. I made a homemade Rice or Macaroni Table. You get a good sized cardboard box and fill it up with cheap uncooked rice or pasta and then use it like a sandbox. Scoop, push, design, shovel....whatever! I put this on the tile floor in my kitchen and just vacuum or sweep up after we are done.
3. Pudding paint. Get Jello pudding in a couple of flavors and some finger paint paper and let him paint and eat all at the same time. Hang the artwork up to dry and you have a great piece of his art and the pudding is edible and tastes great too! Get brushes, stamps, sponges...make it creative.
4. Going out? Check out your local library for a great kids section or Barnes & Noble is pretty festive in there and the books and toys are endless.
5. I love to make Toddler Obstacle Courses and Hideouts. Take the couch cushions, pillows, blankets, whatever and build a huge fort with tunnels, dark spots, comfy areas. Whatever you can think of.
6. I also like indoor mini-trampolines for kids, indoor ball pits, slides, and swings. If you can't go out....bring it inside! We turned our playroom into a Little Tikes showroom so that when it's hot or it rains, the kids can swing, jump, slide, and climb indoors all day long. If you can't do it all at once, pick one piece and do it in stages and don't buy brand new...gently used is fine and if you can get a deal, go for it!
I hope this helps and stay cool! This summer is brutal where we live and amusing toddlers can be a challenge when it's so hot outside. Have fun!!
Are you a SAHM? Have you considered part-time daycare? My girl gets worn out from all the activities they do there (but, I work full-time and don't have any other option). I'm not familiar with your area, but what about museums, aquarium, other play groups, visiting with friends (form a local "mom group"), YMCA... Don't know if you're "into" church, but there are lots of kids activities that way, too VBS, summer school, etc. I live in the desert where it gets above 100 some days and we still manage to spend some time outside (park, zoo, miniature golf, amusement park), just plan to go early (between 8-11am) or late (after 6pm) and drink lots of fluids to accomodate the weather. Sometimes you just have to be creative! Good luck!
...wait a minute, I just googled your town and you're literally NEXT DOOR to cincinatti! I'm sure there are TONS of things that you can do with the kiddo! http://www.newportaquarium.com/ Get out there and explore your town (and neighboring towns)!!
The Children's Museum in Cincinnati is the greatest, and has many activities. We're usually there 3 hours, and my kids are exhausted. We have a pass ($90) and get our monies worth.
We have a large water/sand table (we fill the whole thing up with water to prevent the mess). It has a umbrella in the center for shade, and my kids will play with the boats, and squirt toys for an hour. They get a little wet, but it keeps them cool.
Chic fil a and McDonalds have indoor playlands, and most have a toddler area. Even if you don't like the food, just go and get an ice cream and let him play for a while.
Long baths with colored soaps, balls and other toys. Baths seem to wear my youngest out quick.
Do you have a YMCA pass? They have mat rooms for toddlers, swimming, Etc.
In-door todler trampoline, we have the one with the music and my daughter likes it, pillow fights, make tents with sheets and pillows. dance, bubbles!!
Bookstore, Party city.
Let him run around through a sprinkler. We have a short hose that we got at Kohl's with smaller hoses off of it that wriggle and spray. My son loves it! (Be sure you have sunscreen or don't stay out long!)
Gymboree has indoor play times, but I am not sure how much it costs (if anything). YMCA is another idea that comes up. Try googling mom's groups in your area.
In the town I used to live in they had an indoor bouncey house thing. I went once with my friend and her kids, man that place was cool. They also had a waterpark. not one with rides, it was a huge cement park with water fountains, sprinklers, and waterfalls. Good Luck!
My daugher likes sprinklers...she also likes hoses and then waters all my plants.
I also just bought her a power wheels batter operated car thing. she loves that but it doesnt keep her out of the shade.
The city where I live has a reasonably large number of public and private indoor play spaces, ranging from the inflatable jumping spots which cost money to a roomful of climbing structures in the shopping mall that are free. It took awhile of poking around online and talking with other local moms before I found them all. We've also put a plastic slide and a small trampoline in our basement for days that we can't get out.
YOu have received great answers below so i will add:
1. we found a park with great shade, so even when it is hot, the park is an oasis of breeze. we go in the morn from 930-11 and with the shade, it is OK.
2. we go to a cafe/restaurant each day for lunch in the shade. we are outside, but it is nice and cool, and we get fresh air.
HTH
Fast food restaurants play centers. Don't know if there are "Chic Filets" there but they are super clean here. It's boring for Mom's but kids love those play centers at McDonalds. Bring the hand sanitizer.
Go and google toddler play ideas in your city. Churches have programs such as vacation bible school during the summer and some are free. Even if it's not YOUR chuch, check them out.
Lastly, get to know other moms and arrange play dates.....I have done this at a fast food restaurant and the kids played for an hour and half while we had coffee.
Lastly, some malls have great play areas. Bring a book.
I know what you mean. We go to the park every night after 7. I don't know what time he goes to bed but that helps wear my son out an he sleeps really well.
What about water balloons or just let him play with the hose for a few minutes (not too long--don't want to waste much water). A slip & slide?
My kids LOVE kiddie pools or sprinklers in our yard. Do you have space for that???
