I’m now 36 weeks pregnant. Thirty six. I’m also battling with (yet another) belly bug, which is seeing my butt and the couch make friends more often than usual. Pebble is as bright eyed and bushy tailed as ever, and if I don’t keep one step ahead of the game I end up with a whingy toddler on my hands. Not cool.

It makes sense, then, that I’ve become something of a master at creating quick, easy (some might say lazy) play scenarios for Pebble. She  throws herself into it while I lay back and contemplate my gurlging belly, or even get a bit of newborn washing done (so sweet! so infuriatingly tiny!).

Here are a few of the ideas that I’ve used in the last week. Yes. Week! Three year olds have so. much. energy.

Seven Play Ideas You Can Do Right Now

Jumping Station

Grab a bunch of pillows, cushions, soft toys and blankets and set up a giant indoor jumping station together. This is a great way to learn about taking safe risks, too. Another quick and easy idea for indoor play is this Masking Tape City – all you need is a role of masking tape, a few toys and some imagination :)

Balloon Pit

Blow up a bunch of balloons (those hand pumps are a life saver!) and throw them into the nearest small space. We used our book nook. It doesn’t hurt to have a torch or, like us, a fairy light to help add a little fun and drama. If you don’t have a small space you could try a large space and putting on some dance music. Let’s get the party started! While you’ve got the torch out you could try some play with light and colour too.

Coloured Bath

Bath + Colour = Instant Fun. I kid you not, I propped up a chair next to that sucker and whiled away a good half an hour. Productive? No. Mama time out? Yes. Or try out one of these great ideas for bath time fun.

Doing Jobs

Sometimes you just gotta get stuff done. Except sometimes that coincides with a whiny kid at your ankles. Try and get some mileage out of that energy (theirs, not yours), and put it to good use! Pebble has her own dish wand and lucky for us we have a double sink. She splashes away and I’m still getting stuff done. Children can also make excellent helpers with dusting, laundry and cooking.

Bubbles

Bubbles are an awesome distraction and a great play tool. This week instead of the usual bubble blowing I pulled out a Christmas present that I had stashed away – a bubble gun. Put it together with a couple of old plastic bowls and spoons (and a handful of gravel from the driveway) and Pebble had a great time making Rock Soup Cake. While you’re outside you could collect some gum nuts, seeds, leaves and twigs ready to create a shoebox play scene later.

Recycling

A box of recycling and a roll of (easy to dispense) sticky tape is this child’s idea of heaven. Throw in a packet of dot stickers or some self adhesive shapes and you won’t hear a peep out of them for at least eight minutes (hey, that’s pretty good for a three year old!). You could try making a cute elephant hat, or just stand back and let it all happen.

Water

It’s a winner every time, no matter how you play. It might be a sprinkler, an old tub filled with water and bottle tops, a couple of dolls and a flannel, the toy kitchen cups and bowls, cups and bottles for filling and pouring, or good old gum boots and splashing in puddles…. these are just a few ideas for water play.

Welcome to The Weekly Kid’s Co-Op! 

 

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