DG

nicoleg1982

Just a suggestion for an activity DD created on her own.

One day, I was cleaning out the car and took my yoga mat inside.  She was rolling it up, down, jumping on it, doing flips, etc.  We turned it into a sticker mat, we wrote on it with chalk, we pretended it was a dress or she was a burrito, etc.  Then I pulled out her old daycare nap mat and put her stuffed Loch Ness Nessie in the middle.  We played a jumping game from mat to mat so that Nessie didn't nibble her toes.  

She had the MOST FUN EVER.  With a $10 yoga mat.  Highly recommend as a "new toy" for your arsenal on rainy days.

DG1

I LOVE it! 

Mine aren't too good about games with rules. But hey, I have a couple of yoga mats lying around. If it gets us 10 minutes, it was worth a trip to the basement to get them.

Thanks!

AuntFlo

I love that idea Nico.  Jumping games are DD's favorites.   She'll make up all kinds of scenarios and spend a good 20-30 minutes on one.  

Also, letting them watch TV is fine, you know.   Obvs not for the entire 60 hours, but having them watch an adventure movie (Princess Bride or even Star Wars - - something like that) can keep their imaginations going for hours.   And educational shows, such as Dino Dan (I think that's what it's called and it's  on Netflix streaming) or Dinosaur Train won't make you feel so awful about them watching tv.

DG1

Yeah. We used to be a zero-tv house for them. Having 2 so close together put an end to that in less than a year.

Leap Frog Letter Factory has Des telling me all the time, "Mom! Mom! Mom! F says ffffffff! and H says hhhh!" It's hilarious and cute.

It occured to me that one of their favorite things is jumping from the ottoman onto the couch and back. Also? Tunnels. It might be a big blanket fort weekend. I need to prepare myself not to be annoyed when they constantly destroy the forts.

AuntFlo

Blanket fort weekend sounds awesome.  And YES to the jumping from the ottoman to the couch.  This is her favorite and it drives me nuts.   Dh lets her, but I don't so she is totally getting a mixed message.  

DH's BFF has 3 boys, ages 5, 3 and 1.   I'll try to find out what they do to keep the boys occupied on the weekends when they can't go outside. 

nicoleg1982

DD also likes to stack her frisbee (or a book when I'm not watching) on top of a ball and roll/bounce around on it.  Those big exercise balls would keep her occupied for a while, too.  I taught her to lay down on her back, feet against the ball and roll it up the wall and let it fall.  She thinks it's great.

DG1

I have this plastic file box on wheels. They both roll the thing all over the house. Drives me nuts. But it helps them burn energy.

I like the exercise ball, too. I don't think we have one handy, and I know they can get expensive, but I've been considering getting one anyway in the hope that I might actually use it to exercise. We shall see. I can stop at Target on the way to daycare and try to find some cheap supplies. That's just so absurd, seeing as how we're drowning in toys over here.