10 Ways to Entertain a Toddler Boy
Having boys is new to me! The girls were so different and were really easily entertained reading books and playing quietly. I’ve felt that entertaining baby boy has been a huge challenge and he leaves me exhausted most days! I’ve found that the trick is to take him out in the mornings to wear him out a little and then he has a long two hour nap in the afternoons. I get the best of both worlds then – some quality one to one time with him and also a little bit of time in the afternoons to have a rest, catch up on housework and do some work.
So I thought I’d share what we’ve been getting up to with you in case you have an energetic baby boy who needs entertaining too!
1 – swimming
We love swimming – he splashes and kicks to his heart’s content and we have a lovely time. It truly wears him out too!
2 – soft play
Soft play is great for working those little muscles in a safe environment. We go once a week and it has really helped him learn to climb and he loves going down the slide.
3 – playgroups
We go to a couple of playgroups and they are a great place for your little one to play with some new toys and for you to make some new mummy friends too.
4 – shopping
My little boy just loves a trip to the supermarket! He loves sitting in the trolley and looking at people and he really likes to help by throwing the shopping in the trolley!!
5 – walks in the park
Sometimes I need just a little bit of peace that the outdoors brings and the baby needs some fresh air so we head out to the park. We have so many wonderful parks to choose from so we mix it up every time. For the moment the baby travels in the pushchair but before too long we’ll be able to take the scooter / bike.
6 – playgrounds
We spend some time in a playground at least once a week. Baby Sprout just loves a swing on the swings and playing on the slide. He is starting to be able to play on the other little bits there too. Again it’s great for getting him to run around in the fresh air.
7 – finger painting
If the weather isn’s so great and you have to entertain your little one indoors finger painting is a great one. Strip your messy monkey down to their nappy, stick a plastic sheet on the floor or table and let them at the finger paint! They will absolutely love it and you can always give them a little bath afterwards.
8 – make flapjacks
I used to make cakes with the girls and thought that now I have a boy those days were over but they aren’t! A friend of mine suggested making something simpler (like flapjacks) and taking the bowls to the floor and sitting together making them. He loves stirring the mixture (and eating the finished flapjacks!)
9 – blackboard drawing
Again this can get a little messy but we have a blackboard sticker up on a wall and he loves scribbling on it! It makes good pen practice and works those fine motor skills too!
10 – playdough
We make our own playdough and he loves squashing it in his hands and making a huge mess. Again this is great fun for him and using little tools like rolling pins and slicers and plastic scissors helps his fine motor skills too.
Do you have anything you could add to the list? I’m always on the look out for something new to do!
I thought it was just me who had a toddler boy who wasn’t that easily entertained. Stacey was fab and would sit and play quietly all day, but Oscar likes attention all the time. I will have to try out some of your tips – I’ve never baked with him before. Or used playdough orfinger paints!
Louise x
My little three-year-old still requires so much entertainment! It’s almost though among all the jobs that being a mum involves Entertainments Director takes up the most time. Playgroups were definitely the best all-round for us: he has a few friends now that he’ll also be going to nursery with in the new year and might stay his buddies for a long, long time. Pens are the bane of my life – pen on the table, on his travel cot (when he slept in one), on his buggy, on his car seat, on the walls. I have to be very rationed with them.
One day I hope to be able to refer back to these great tips! Brilliant 🙂 thank you for linking to #PoCoLo, great to see you x