M.S.
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How about finger painting or play-doh?
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Hello Mamas,
I have a 13 month old and a 4 year old, both girls. I am looking for more games that they, and I, can play together. I am a working mom and don't have that much time just to play by the time work is done, dinner is cooked, groceries bought, etc. (my husband is visually impaired so he can't do a lot of the household chores). I do have probably an hour a day just to play with both my girls together, a bit more on weekends. I'm looking for ideas of things that both girls will enjoy. My older girl is still really missing have undivided Mommy attention and isn't very good about playing by herself. But many of the things I like doing with my older girl (puzzles, building blocks, writing), don't work well to do with all 3 of us since the 1 year old tries to join in but that usually results in blocks falling down, puzzle pieces everywhere, and the older girl getting upset. Do you have ideas of what we can do together that both girls will enjoy? Inside the house ideas are especially welcome (we usually do fine together playing outside b/c girls and i can just run around and we all love that - but often our time together is at night when it is dark already). I do make sure I spend time each day with each girl separately. But I want to play as a family together too...
Thank you so much!
How about finger painting or play-doh?
FIRST!
K, w/ that out of the way:
* Rugby
* Twister
* 5 k marathons
* Poker
You're welcome.
My kids have a blast playing Elefun and a 13 mo can easily be involved in that game. I'm sure there are more games similar to that one that a 13 mo can be involved with (even if not technically playing it). Arts/crafts are easy just give your older child a glue stick, some craft supplies and paper. The 13 mo can use crayons and paper. Do you have a doll house? Our dollhouse can be played by a spectrum of kids from 1 - 8. Have a dance party. Build a fort. Go camping in living room. Play balloon vollyball.......
I think that your 1 y/o isn't going to be able to "play" much with the group, so honestly, I would pick something your 4 y/o likes and have the little one be your helper. I know that blocks and stuff are hard but perhaps you can set your older daughter up on the table and you can work with your younger daughter on the floor or on the other side of the table. I think the little one will likely get bored and move on to something else.
Little People seemed to be the great equalizer when my kids were those ages. The barn is a good one b/c the little one can just shove stuff in the barn and open it over and over and over again, while you and the older one make up a scenario for the others. It would work with any of the sets, or even just people and cars.
Art projects would be hard in my opinion, as would play doh I think.
Those are just hard ages I think. The 1 y/o throws a wrench in a lot of ideas, but that's their MO isn't it!?! ;)
We love to do art together. I put my toddler in her high chair, so she's on her side of the table, and my older child sits on HER side of the table, so they can't interfere with each other. I sit in the middle. We do markers, crayons, stamps, etc...all things a toddler can do.
As far as games go, your little one is a bit young yet, but maybe a bean bag toss type game? Or any type of homemade throwing games...we make up different ones all the times, from trying to toss quarters into cups to trying to land a ring of cardboard around a pencil. Of course, you'd have to baby proof this idea, but it's fun for everyone.
In addition to a lot of the great suggestions already posted, they have those magnetic cardboard dolls that the kids can dress that might be fun for both girls. Tea parties. Baking cookies or muffins. Reading, of course. Puppet shows. Kid yoga. Musical instruments. Playing house, kitchen, and doctor. Trains. Listening to music.
