Hello, I have 2 great wee girls, a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for good activities that they can do together, or at least at the same time. We are just entering the stage when they are both obsessed with whatever the other has in their hands- our eldest is understandably frustrated when the little one grabs whatever she has- but the eldest does it too. I think we need to get some new toys/ activities also, so any suggestions for things that are intriguing for both ages would be most welcome.
how about finger paints? or i used to fill up the kitchen sink with water and throw stuff in there and they would wash the dishes together. how about playdough? how about dolls with strollers? you will find as they get older you will need two of most everything you buy as to avoid fights.
Fun times... Good timing too... With Christmas around the corner (if you're not done shopping for them yet) get a few gifts that are the same for both, just different colors so they know whos is whos.
I have a 5 yr old (girl) and 2 1/2 yr old (boy). They like to both play with race cars, barbies (husband doesn't like that my son plays with barbies, but as long as they aren't hitting each other I don't really care what toy they play with)... another big hit has been "house". We got a small pop up tent that they put up in one of the bedrooms and they get a couple dolls and play house... she's mommy and he's daddy - it's really cute! Coloring books are always good (at 1 and 3 I'd get the crayola color wonder stuff - so only the colorbooks can be colored in). Duplo's is also a fun idea - the large lego's.
Really it depends on what kind of stuff your girls like to play now, and just start getting doubles so they each have their own (that's what happened alot when I was little, I have an older and a younger sister).
Good luck, and let us know how things go!
My boys are about the same distance apart in age... When they were 1 and 3, the best toy we used for them was an AquaDoodle. You don't have to worry about messy clean-up since it just uses water. I think the mat only comes with one "pen" but you can buy extras to go with it. It really is a wonderful toy!! Good luck... I understand where you're at! :)
Home-made play-doh. It's easy to clean up and you can use things out of the kitchen for toys. (Store play-doh is too stiff and hard for young kids to use.) Home-made play-doh that is sealed in a ziplock properly when not in use will last months!!!
My kids like to use:
-pizza cutters
-forks
-rolling pin
-bowls (to put their pretend spaghetti in
Plus last year we told sponsors to get the kids play-doh toys so we have a ton of those too.
The most wonderful play dough recipe:
Mix: 1 cup white flour
1/4 cup salt
1 Tablespoon cream of tarter
Combine and Add: 1 cup water
1 Tablespoon Oil
a few drops of food coloring
Cook over medium het adn stir (about 3-5 min.) It will look a mess adn you'll be sure it isn't turning out....but it will! When it forms a ball in teh center of the pot, and comes away from teh sides, turn it out on a lightly floured surface and lightly knead. Store in a ziplock bag or air-tight container.
how about dress up clothes? These don't have to be store-bought I often used things i had and then found some items at garage sales, etc. THe best for this age (especially the 1 year old) are things that don't have a lot of buttons, zipping, etc. lots of scarves, hats, purses of different sizes and shoes. my older daughter used to tie the scarf around the younger ones waist for a skirt, etc.
any other items used to play "dress up" or "pretend" are usually great for this age
