Bored 14 Month Old -

Hey M.,
I dragged my son's blow up tub to the back deck and filled it w/ an inch of water. I added a few of his bath toys. He thinks it's the greatest thing!

Things my little girl loves to do with me: Color, building blocks, water table, they even have tables now that are half water play and half sand, playdough, you can set up a fort inside out of blankets or build one from cardboard, play kitchen set, play teddybear picnic, play pretend mars mission

Hope those suggestions help:)

Swing, baby pool, & sandbox ought to be plenty. Maybe some more advanced indoor toys? Why are you thinking she's bored? If she's not walking quite yet, irritability may be frustration with her body not yet cooperating with her desires, rather than boredom--and it'll get better with learning to walk.

We used to have a little swing outdoors in the shade, and our daughter LOVED to swing! Our nanny would sit in a chair behind the swing and push her as long as the baby wanted - I think you could do that even with a bad back, just push the swing every so often.

I know this sounds weird, but how about give her some poster paints in the bathtub? She could fingerpaint or use brushes to create "art" and when she's done, just shower her off! (This also works if you give her chocolate pudding and let her fingerpaint with it - if she eats it, that's ok too!)

A little kiddie pool is a great idea - they always love that with one or two tupperware containers to pour the water back and forth.

You can even just go sit on your lawn and watch the birds, cats, dogs, people walking by, etc. Babies are happy with just about anything they can do with you - they don't need to go far or do anything expensive to be entertained.

Make play-doh together and then play with it.

I have this great book called "The Mother's Almanac" by Elia Parsons - my mom swore by it when I was little, and she gave it to me when my daughter was born. TONS of great ideas for moms, and most of the ideas are free or really cheap.

Good luck and have fun!!

I know what you mean. My kids are going through that one too! Here is what we have discovered. They are needing more active and social time. (I have twins...and they still get bored with one another) I think it is all about keeping them busy. I introduced blocks. they love stacking, putting them in and out of boxes...buys me about 1 hour! drawing,(scribbling) simple puzzles, outdoor play...but the thing they like the most is playing with/next to other kids. Social time is becoming pretty important. If you can try to find more kids in your age group (and moms you like to be around!) I think you and your baby will benefit greatly!
I wish you luck

Hi, I started introducing crayons, paints, pencils and small art "projects" to my daughter at that age. If you don't mind a little mess it's great. Also, try the park district for play groups. You'd be surprised how nice people can be once they know your situation. I've found that many nannies and moms don't mind playing with other little ones. Mamasource is a great resource to start your own playgroup too. Check with your community college. Many have child care and play groups because it's part of their teaching program. City College in San Fran comes to mind. You could also offer a service in exchange for activity partners for your daughter. One woman in our neighborhood is disabled however she trades a home cooked meal or a dessert to another mom who takes her son out. Check your local library and/or bookstore for story/song time. Hang in there.

Hi M.,
Have you looked into any playgroups in your area? These are so fun for the kids but also fun for you to get some social time as well. Your daughter is also at a good age to begin the Music Together program if there is one in your area. Another thing you could do that would not be hard on your back is take her to a local pool and swim together. Many gyms have mommy and me swim programs.

I would highly recommend MOPs. Check out mops.org You can search for groups in your area. This is not free, but very cheap maybe $5-10 a week. Most MOPs groups meet once a week and have childcare for the kids (included in the weekly fee) so the kids go off a play together with adult supervision, while the moms gather together to doa craft, listen to a guest speaker, and generally get to know one another. It really is a great program. Besides getting out of the house once a week for some fun time, it will help you to meet other moms with little kids. Invite them over for a play date, or meet for story time at the library (both free). Pretty soon she'll be to busy to be bored! :o)

Hello,

I have 20 month ld twins. Things I have in the backyard is a small jumpy house, a ball pit, small pool, sand and water table which they love. I also have a play house and a small slide.
You can also have her finger paint, use chalk on the sidewalk. My kids love building blocks. They also like tupperware.
You can go online and find slides and other toys for sale. Craigslist is great for those things. You do not have to spend much money.

Good Luck.

Hi M.,

I am a mother of a 16 mos old boy. Do you have girlfriends or family members that has children within her age group?

Five of my girlfriends and I all had our first baby within a year of each other and so we formed a play group with play days.

For the mothers who work during the day. We have play nights at each other houses and we would alternate on making or bringing dinner.

For the mothers who does not work in the day we have play day at each other houses as well when the weather is not good. But, when the weather is nice, we take the kids to the park, zoo or anywhere outside so they can be active and play with each other. Again we alternate with the food and snacks for the kids.

Kids need interaction with other children. It will help them socialize better in the future.

If you are limited with your mobility. Invite them over to your house. Buying a swing for the backyard is a good idea.

Also, you can give grandparents a day with the baby. I do that and it helps. Gives you time to relax and do your own thing.

Hope this help. Good luck!!!

How about your local library. They tend to offer lots of entertainment to little ones. At our library they have Mom & Me time, story times, toys for kids to play with, books, videos and it's all free. There are even comfy chairs to sit in while your child looks at books or plays with toys plus it's air conditioned. We try to get to our library once a week and we let our girls pick out books to bring home and at our library they have little shopping carts for kids to push and larger carts for the adults. Anyway, just an idea.

If you are worried about the pool because she is so little, I saw a really cool little sink at Costco and in the Target Ad. From my experience those little pools are a lot of work filling and dumping everyday because the water gets gross fast. However the dumping can be done by standing on the edge if it is an air filled one. Check out the little sink, I think it was around $40.

My son is the same age and we spend a lot of time playing with water. I fill tupperware and give him measuring cups. We turn on the hose. I use a sprinkler. I fill water balloons. We play with bubbles. He goes bonkers over these activities and I have a lot of fun with them too. We also spend a lot of time building things with blocks and leggos (I put them together and he takes them apart). I have some musical instruments (drum and rattles and whistles) that we play together. My son LOVES reading too and will happily sit on my lap for a long time looking at books. We play with playdough and crayons. I also spend a lot of time allowing him to wander around outside and I just follow him and keep him out of danger. Sometimes we bring a ball to make it more fun, but mostly we wander and look at flowers. I hope that your back would allow you to do at least that much activity. I rarely carry him because we just walk out my front door and walk around the neighborhood.

Other moms' suggestions about forming a play group are a great idea. That's usually what makes my boy happiest--being with other kids. Sometimes you can form a co-op babysitting group too. Good luck!

Hi M.,

It sounds like your little angel needs the company of other little angels. You need to get on Meetup.com and find a playgroup. They are all over the place and most of them are free. You might even meet a mom who could help with the transportation and any heavy lifting. It would also give you an outlet with other moms and a good support network of women. I know what it is like to be in a house of men lol.

Good luck
T.

my kids LOVE our Step 2 Fun Flow Play Sink. It has a working faucet that little ones can turn on/off. It goes off by itself after 5 minutes of inactivity. It easier to supervise than a kiddie pool (I don't have a bad back, but I was pregnant and had two toddlers). A sand table or a small sand box is also lots of fun for little ones (but messier). Also, you can invite other kids over for a playdate. Here's a link to the sink: http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1498

Hi M.-
It sounds like you need some low impact activities for the two of you!
Ok, first, there is story time. Kids love stories. Read to her, maybe make a craft at the table- like a princess hat with flowing ribbon (curling ribbon, cardboard, glitter, pink paint) and have her wear it to be "in the story."
Second, kiddie pools are great if it's not too hot. Just make sure she has some sunscreen on (you too).
3rd- the craft table/coloring table. Get some crayons and paper and show her how to scribble and color. In the next year or two she will get really good and you will loads of fridge quality artwork.
3rd- Swings and slides are fun, but they require you to stand and push her or hold her as she goes down the slide. Maybe one of those baby jungle gyms that's about a foot tall.
4th-Baby Einstein
5th- this works for my nephew- he is a wiggle worm and gets into everything. But basically he just wants to be up and active. He likes to bang on stuff so we try to make that constructive- drums- give him a stick (you can do home made instruments like the oats can with a wooden spoon for a drum) and show them how to bang on it. At the local dollar store you can get those little plast flute/recorder things and the 2 of you can have a band! I think the more options you give her, not worrying about how good she is at it, but learning what interests her and she has fun at, the more you can relax (which is good for your back!) and have fun with her.
I hope this helps! Have fun with your baby! She is at a wonderful age!
-E. M

M.,
This is a great age to start finger painting and playing with play-dough. My son will spend an hour on each and it is an activity you can do sitting down. Also, the kiddi pool is an awesome idea I am pregnant and love sitting outside while my son splashes in the pool. Also check with you local library about story times and your local community center of rec. dept about activities for toddlers your daughters age. They can be cheap and not involve to much standing. We are doing swim lessons this summer and I think that will be great low impact exercise. Good Luck S.

Hi M.,

A plastic pool you can either fill with water when it's hot, or fill it with plastic balls for a ball pit! Also, a small plastic play structure with a slide is entertaining. Lastly, a standing water table is pretty good. You could also just play in the sink in the house!

S.

I would recommend doing craft projects with her. One a day like painting or coloring on a paper plate and then hand it somewhere so she can feel happy and proud to see it. You can find things at the dollar store or Walmart has a good selection of crafty things to do. She can finger paint and it never to easy to start teaching her colors. Read books to her and show her the pictures. You can have a little spa day where you paint her toenails she will love that. Fathers Day is coming up so she can make something for Daddy.

Dear M.: So sorry about your back? Is this a permanent condition and is it painful? I used to work as a nanny after raising my children and once a mother I worked for broke a toe and was in a cast and not supposed to lift her one year old. The baby worried that her once active and hands on mom was sitting, lying down and asking me to carry the baby. It was hard on all of us. but did get better.
One year olds like physical activity and lucky she has teen aged brothers and a daddy to help provide a lot of that, but they also like water play, stories and finger plays and music as well as construction and other sedentary activities. Looking into infant care programs might give you ideas even if you can't send her to one. I love reading to children and singing songs and finger plays with them and I am a naturally sedentary person, so I have been fortunate that so many of the children I am involved with respond. Have fun with her and pay close attention. That is what she needs the most and you can even do it lying down...lots of luck and enjoy your little one!!N.

Are there any other tots in the neighborhood? With this nice weather take her outside and let her explore. My 15 mos old loves to look at the flowers, play with her ball, and yes loves to play with water. This gives you the opportunity to sit and stand as she runs and explores. Try looking up community resources in your area, these are usually inexpensive and sometimes free. Good luck.

Hi M.,
I didn't get a chance to read the rest of the responses, so I hope Im not duplicating. I think the best toy I have purchased for my daughter is a small jump house, I believe it was called Jump-o-lene and is from walmart about $30.00, I have used it in her room, and brought it outside on the lawn. I have de-flated it for a few months when she got bored with it, brought it back out and its like a brand new toy again. I like it cause she is getting exercise and its safe for her to bounce, unlike the bed. Its got high sides so she can't fall out and a easy climb in and out "door". I have even found her in there asleep.
Best of Luck,
M.

a couple ideas~ a sandbox if you have room in the backyard. also, the moms group i am in will have playdates at people's houses. so you could join the moms group and then have the kiddos over so that you don't have to do too much walking and moving around. there are moms groups on meetup.com

I still have a few weeks until I become an official mother, however I have been around children my entire life and worked for a few years as a live-in nanny so entertaining children is kind of up my alley. Try some projects like baking or crafts. Online you can find wonderful cheap ideas for daily projects for children her age. Also yo could try some play dates and invite other mother's and children over for lunch or play time and this allows you to have more adult time throughout your day. I hope this helps some good luck and don't hurt yourself more by doing things you know are going to put extra strain on your back. Maybe you could also try a mommy and me yoga video to do together I started taking yoga in college to strengthen my back and abdominal muscles after a really bad car accident a few years back. Take care.

M.,
Sounds like you have a curious little girl :) and she is at a developmental stage bursting with cognitive growth. I wanted to address your back and the small pool first. Be sure the pool is turned over and dumped out by your husband when he is home so you are not worried about her and water and your back..children can drown in a tiny amount of water and you can strain your back. I know from experience. I bet you will get a lot of ideas but this is a great stage for whole body movements..An easle to paint big strokes of paint..
you can get washable but I would encourage wearing old clothes for all..if she is still oral, maybe get a recipe for edible paint...google..same with edible playdough...rolling,
some physical fun stuff include a floor mat, pillows, puppets, babies..dress up..you and her pretending..singing songs together..pretending to go to the store..you will be modeliing the language and eventually she will add to it...but for now, you are just bonding..you might let her grocery shop in your pantry...:) all for fun...a lot of sensory fun...rolling, jumping, nontoxic organic soap for bubbles, same with shaving cream.
Doing her hair, chants, piggy-toes, reading picture books, asking open ended questions, a nature walk, park ( careful with your back)...these are just a few ideas

go to the library often and next time, look for books on things to do with your toddler..and take lots of photos, it will go by fast!

Hi M.,
I am not sure where you live or how bad your back is. I live in the Monterey area and have found several things to do (some free, some cheap, and some not so cheap).

Free – 1. Story time at library. You can meet other moms and go to the park after. Many libraries do crafts as well. 14 months is young for story time, but getting out is good. 2. Going to the mall (the toy store with train table, the water fountain and just site seeing). 3. Singing songs and playing together.

Cheap (and one of my favorite) – 1. Pacific Grove Adult School has a section for newborn to age three. They have classes almost every day which is really free play with painting, making food, gym, gardening, story time and science. Check out the adult schools in your area. 2. There is a group called MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) which is a good way to meet other moms and most want to help others and share ideas.

Not Cheap but big hit with my son - music class, aquarium, Gilroy gardens, museums (some have discount days), stroller strides (not with your back) and swimming class.
:) S.

The baby pool is a good idea, with plenty of different types of containers, so she can scoop and pour and discover what fits in what. You can get a small plastic sandbox, too--- just make sure it has a cover so the neighborhood cats don't think you're hosting a giant cat box. Outside is also a good place for beginning fingerpainters, play-dough sculptors, and sidewalk-chalk artists. Maybe you could bring some music outside, and dance with her!

When you're inside, she is just about the right age to have a ball with your pots and pans. Let her choose what she wants to bang together, and give her some wooden spoons and things, and cover your ears! I have a great picture of my son when he was that age, sitting on the floor in the middle of a pile of pots and pans, with a small saucepan upside down on his head.

I found with both my kids that they were always more interested in playing with household items as toys than they were in playing with toys. We had a little plastic grocery cart that my boys would pull all around the house, and put all kind of things in it: a shoe, a toy, a magazine, whatever they found lying around. They loved it.

Hi M.
are you near a park? see if they offer playgroups for your child, my son went to Tiny Tots in the park and it was free. it was good (your child be might a little too young) but I am NOT sure. check on it via parks and recs..
my son would play with the kids, draw , paint, sing.
it was fun for him. you don't have to participate, you can just sit there and watch.
In addition, the public pools offer inexpensive swim lessons and at one, I don't think she knows what boredom is as long as her mind is active and she seems interested, she is doing just fine, perhaps you are a bit bored? if so, then maybe try renting a video , there is this woman (her name slips my mind) but teaches yoga for people who have bad backs.. might be something worth looking into?

you could also checkout from the library, books and videos for free. they have many educational ones too and many libraries offer storytime for the young tots.. that might be fun too..

best of luck!! :)

Those stand-up sand and water tables are a lot of fun! And not to expensive...

do you know other mommies for play dates? kids are great at entertaining each other, so you won't have to bend or run after her so much. you can meet at homes or the park. if you have a park nearby, you can take her there. you don't have to stand or run after her. she won't be that fast yet at 14 mos. i'm 7 months pregnant. when i take my son to the park, i often sit on a bench and watch, or sit near the sand box and just interact verbally.

you can cover a small table with paper and do art projects with markers, stickers, paint, crayons.

if you have room inside, you can get a tent and tunnel at ikea (really cheap) and set up a little obstacle course for her. have your hubby set it up, and then let her roam and climb and have fun. again, you don't have to go buck wild with her, but sit and watch and just intervene if she gets stuck.

music! get some kid's CDs and start singing songs with her. motions and body movement are great for learning communication.

honestly, at that age, the best entertainment is people! if you can't take her places, invite people over.

when your husband is home, try taking her to your public library and stock up on picture books and children's music (my kids liked the "Wee Sing and Play" cassette/CD's that had rhymes as well as songs). Some libraries also have children's books on cassette or CD, and many will have toddler story times on the weekends where there will be stories and activities suitable for children your daughter's age.

You didn't mention what area you are in. If you are in El Dorado County there is a great Moms' Club called Gold Country Moms. There is always something going on, and you are sure to find your nitche as well as little friends for your daughter. www.goldcountrymoms.org

Keep your eyes open on craigslist, you can get a small slide play structure and set it up inside or out. I just got one for $40 and my daughter loves it. My daughter is turning 2 next month, but I really want to find a cheap water/sand table. Also a used picnic table (little tikes, or other plastic children's brand) works great as an art table and doubles as a place to eat (craigslist again).
You can also google activities for 14 months old and pick ones that work for you.
Best of luck!
C.