Things my 3.25 year old child does independently:
-play in her room by herself during 'quiet time' (we have an ok to wake clock and this was our weekend routine before staying home started).
-watch TV

Everything else requires some form of parent interaction/setup/involvement.

Things we are doing with her:
-obstacle courses
-blanket fort building
-playing with all manner of toys
-watching Laurie Berkner live on facebook
-playing grocery shopping/cooking with her play food
-building things with her blocks for her Frozen dolls
-painting/coloring/cutting and gluing
-constantly feeding her something

Bump

Last week we blew up a balloon, gave it to our almost 3 year old, and told him not to let it touch the ground. Hours of fun until the balloon deflated and we mostly weren't involved.

My almost 4.5 year old likes doing puzzles. For my daughter, a lot of these suggestions involved us being involved. I’m still trying to look for things that she can do alone.

This is not at all helpful, but we're letting our two little ones, 7 and 5, play a lego video game and it's freaking hilarious. Neither of them are used to playing video games. They are standing about a foot away from the TV, moving their hands, arms, and bodies all over the place to make the little lego guys move, which is so funny to watch. They can't quite figure out how to make the characters do things and they keep shouting directions at the little lego people. It's very entertaining. DH and I are drinking wine and helping them from the couch. LOL

Anonymous wrote:Another idea is those chalk markers for on windows. Then later they can use a damp towel to clean the windows off and repeat.

Car wash. Bowl of soapy water, sponge and matchbox cars.

We did something similar with our plastic dollhouse. DC “painted” it with water while sitting on a pile of towels to sop up spills.

Another idea is those chalk markers for on windows. Then later they can use a damp towel to clean the windows off and repeat.

Car wash. Bowl of soapy water, sponge and matchbox cars.

Something that works for me best is scavenger hunts. If you have a couple of minutes to set up you can write the alphabet letters on 26 post its and stick them around the house. DS loves looking for those. Can do numbers too.

If you just need a few minutes and have zero prep time it also works. Just say something like “Savenger hunt! Find 5 things that start with the letter D!” for example.

Also my DS loves sorting things like beads by color so you can ask your kid to “help” you sort them out.

look up busy toddler on instagram. She has a program called "playing preschool" you can print at kinkos and follow.

Right now, boxes, blankets, & pillows for creating, fort-making, and jumping off of furniture. Sticks & rocks.

Also: dress ups & accessories, LEGO, cars & dolls, etc. We keep a ton of art supplies out, so he’ll cut with scissors, write “plans,” use stickers, roll out butcher paper & doodle, etc.

Outside, sandbox is #1. We also get him to help with watering plants, digging in the garden, etc. The water hose keeps him busy for a looooong time.

Walks with binoculars and a kid digital camera.

Birdwatching, cuddling with cats.

But yeah, we’re also watching A LOT of TV.