I haven’t written a post in a really long time because I got a new part-time job and have been really busy. We are also expecting a new baby in a few weeks and I’ve been so tired and had a complicated pregnancy. I’ve been making a list of things to keep our son occupied while I’m breastfeeding the new baby, and here are some of my ideas (I’m sure they will each occupy him for about 10 minutes and then I’ll be back to square one in half a day!)
Screen-free ideas for at home activities with a 3 year old:
- Make a necklace with the lacing vehicles toy (this is great for fine motor skills too, and has been a surprising hit for my son starting at age 2.5)
- Build a house with pillows on the bed
- Play with a sticker book (we got this train one since Jack is obsessed with trains)
- Use a coloring book
- Throw a birthday party for a stuffed animal (wrap presents in scrap paper, make a cake with wooden food)
- Paint with watercolors
- Cut scrap paper
- Play with playdough
- Sensory play with beans, ice cubes, nuts etc
- Write our own “book”
- Color with water (these water wow books have been a big hit for us)
- Play with stamps
- Do a montessori-inspired activity like transferring pom poms with tongs or play this cute apple game
- Play a cooperative board game like this one about chickens which Jack doesn’t really understand but likes to play with
- Play with a flashlight (shadow animals, or trying to catch the light)
- Set up an easy obstacle course and count how many times he can do it
I hope I have an easy recovery from childbirth because I’m worried about how I will get through the post-partum period with 2 kids. My husband will be home for about 2 weeks, but my son almost always would rather be with me, so I think it’s going to be a challenge.