[ShannonMVT]

It seems like a lot of us have said on threads lately that we tend to get bored of playing with our kids, of the tedium of doing the same stuff day after day. Also sounds like some of us worry about are we "teaching" them enough.

Maybe we could have some kind of daily or even weekly challenge, where we come up with a challenge to do a specific thing with your child that day or week. It might need to be different if moms with younger babies want to do it. But I think it seems to be us toddler moms who struggle with this the most. What do you think? I know I've seen websites of things like "100 things to do with your baby/toddler" so that might work. I think the accountability might be good to make me get off my butt and make the effort to do some different things with him!

[soImarriedAnerd]

HAHAHAHA I started a thread JUST like this but forgot to hit enter! Then when I did "the token was expired" So yep I think its a GREAT idea!

[greeneyes]

I'm game!

(No pun intended.)

[ANGWife]

I'd participate. Maybe we can provide pictures for some of the activities.

[ShannonMVT]

Originally Posted by ANGWife

I'd participate. Maybe we can provide pictures for some of the activities.

Do you mean pictures of our kids doing the activities?

[Frozendesire]

I NEED this! Might be harder when baby comes but I need the motivation and creativity to get down there and play with the boys.

[ShannonMVT]

What does everyone think about how often the challenges should be? Maybe twice a week? Maybe one activity that is free and one that might require buying something if you don't have it (like paints)? I'm open to suggestions.

What about suggesting activities? Do we want to take turns doing that or have one person "in charge" till they get tired of it?

[LuvMyLwAaMr]

sounds like a great idea... sometimes I think my boys are so hyper and crazy because we don't do enough... count me in!

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

This is an awesome idea!!!

[Mars]

Great idea!!

[soImarriedAnerd]

I vote for twice a week... and maybe one "home made/bought" ideas and one "no stuff" idea (like a game/song/etc that you don't need THINGS for).
If someone has one of those 365 days of activities books it would be great!

[Resi]

I think it's a good idea and we should take turns. We can sign up if we are interested in "hosting" an activity for the week. I already have a few ideas.

Nature Walk Week - take your LO on a nature walk 2 times or more this week. Let them find things in nature to pick up, feel, and bring home to display on a nature table or shelf. This would be a good one for the fall.

Nature Table/Shelf - This can be tied in with the above idea. For fall time you could go to a local farm/orchard and bring home small pumpkins, gords, etc. to display.

Craft Day - Make a craft to tie into the season or holiday.

Cook with Mommy Day - Bake or No-Bake Treats. Rice Crispies, Cookies, Banana Bread, ect.

Playdough

Coloring

Texture Day - Get out a cookie sheet and fill it with whip cream or cool whip to let them play in.

Museum - Go to a local museum big or small.

Library Day - Go to a story time or just go to pick out some books to borrow. Most have a play area too.

Music Time - Put on a CD. Sing, dance, and be silly.

Animal/Farm Day - Look for a local farm to take your LO too. Most have animals and it's free.

Park Day - Look for a new park you've never gone to near by and pack a lunch for a picnic.

I think most ideas can be done with all ages if you adjust it some.

When it comes to learning activties I'm not a big fan with early teaching of reading, numbers, etc. I'm more into play and getting him to use his imagination. I lean towards the Waldorf approach of learning.

The person hosting for the week could always give two options and that way if someone can't get out of the house or doesn't have money there is another option.

[ANGWife]

Great ideas, Resi. Maybe you can head it Shannon, and draw 2 names to see who's week it is to pick the 2 activities?

[Frozendesire]

I love all these ideas! I know my boys would too

[sara~b]

I'm game. Gem is 5 but she'd like all those things I think and it might help me get Major Fussypants, I mean Ashlyn, out of the house.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I vote Resi as our starter then... since she is all ready!
And Ditto to shannon heading it up!
I'm game so put me in the list

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

We just bought a book at the dollar store that is 101 things to do with your toddler -- not really applicable for me yet but maybe from time to time I'll post something

[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

I'm in!! I totally need something like this. Our daily activities are so repetitive and I worry that Reid gets super bored unless we leave the house, which I don't always feel like doing since it's so darn hot

[Babybear4]

What a great idea! I am not creative at all, so I would probably have a hard time coming up with anything to contribute, but would love to participate in the activites others suggest. Maybe it will help to spark some creativity for me!

[LuvMyLwAaMr]

I wandered around a few stores today while my boys were with their grandparents (family day every thursday!) and found 2 books at the dollar store, 101 ways to keep your toddler busy and 101 ways to keep your preschooler busy. Some of the ideas are cute, others are just a waste of space in the book!

Tonight I was wandering around my in-laws' yard with the boys and spotted some pine cones on the ground and it brought back a memory of making pine cone bird feeders when I was little... so we gathered pine cones, are going to get some bird seed, and make bird feeders this weekend!