Entertaining toddlers

I am sure you are doing just fine and don't compare yourself to others. Be yourself as that is what make you. I am a children's entertainer and have been all my life and we do hundreds of shows every year. I am always thinking up new ideas and daft stuff but really it's the simpler things that kids love. Reading a story is a big thing to a kid. And going to the park and knowing you are there is a big thing too. I am sure you push him on the swings and spin him on the roundabout. (let him push YOU ...he will love that. And if you look at most parents in a playpark they are just standing around watching their kids have fun. As long as you are there ....then that's what matters. He can climb on your back as you crawl around the floor ...kids love that. You can blow bubbles (buy a cheap bubble kit) ... you can draw and guess what the picture is ..... hide things and find them ....do hide and seek ....make pancakes ....watch a film together or even Mr Tumble (if you have to) ...guess what hand the sweet is in ....there are millions of things you can do so don't put yourself down and don't measure yourself against other people. Your son loves you for what YOU do and if you try to copy others then kids can spot it a mile away. You can easy do it and it sounds like you just maybe have a dip in confidence.

Is there any classes near by that you could take him too? Make up a treasure hunt for the park? They wont remember much so just be yourself

Messy play is great at this age. Buy a tub of craft stuff, paints, make play dough, decorate cakes. Baker Ross is good for creating stuff x

What a beautiful reply Gerry and I completely agree. Children's love is unconditional. Don't be hard on yourself, you make things fun, you leave the house, you play and are meeting all of his needs. Be kind to yourself, parenting is hard. Virtual hugs. xx

Find your own strengths - leave dad to do what he does best and find your own things to do with child - you don't need to be identical do you? Do your own things (and yes toddlers are boring but never mind they get better!)

So if you like reading and doing the voices make that your thing, or if you like drawing horses do that, or if you like birdwatching teach him all the birds and their noises. If there is literally nothing you like doing then you are going to have to find something you'd like to do more of - painting, running, keep fit classes, singing - whatever it is do it together.

If you get bored easily make a choices jar and fill it with ideas no matter how mundane and then just pick things at random (do a joe wicks youtube - find a video on how to draw a dog and copy it - pick a recipe you've never tried before and make it - go for a walk - hop around the room then change legs) it doesn't matter what they are. The not knowing adds to the element of fun.

Don’t worry about that you can’t things that other people can. And I don’t think 2 yo conscious in entertainment. You can spend time reading a book or other educational activity. You can combine business with pleasure. There are such things as worksheets toddler. It is tasks for the development of fine motor skills and thinking with bright and funny pictures. I like the worksheets from the site https://wunderkiddy.com/ А little later, you can start reading with your child. I remember my grandmother, with whom I read and wrote from a very young age. And it wasn't boring or hard, even fun. The main thing is to do it at ease. Include games in everyday life.

I think that entertainment should be interesting and useful. I found a cool site with free puzzles, they can be printed and colorize https://wunderkiddy.com/material/new-years-puzzle

Free printable preschool learning games are a great way to engage young children in fun and educational activities. https://wunderkiddy.com/material/assemble-a-picture These games can help kids develop important skills like counting, letter recognition, and problem-solving, while also keeping them entertained. Parents and teachers can easily access and print these games from the internet, making them a convenient and cost-effective option for early childhood education. It's important to choose games that are appropriate for a child's age and skill level, and to provide guidance and support as needed. By incorporating free printable learning games into a child's routine, parents and educators can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and academic success.

Hi Nancy,

Don't be so hard on yourself! Dad likes what he does, do something you like. Maybe you could try and think about the things that you really enjoy doing and make them more suited to his age and interests, so if you like to bake for example, you could make something in the kitchen with him in a big bowl so he can really get messy and involved.

Painting. Play doh. Building. Long walks. Play in garden do running games and so on. I had a 15 month gap between my last two so two toddler they 4 and 5 now but need constant attention I have 11 year old also I do slime Play building. Colouring.painting. long walks Play on garden with balls bikes etc. Trips to trampeline parks at weekends Play barns and so on. Reading and writing. I put mine in pre school 15 hours when they were 3 also so kept busy and then planned activity when got in there's lots to do x

Bake cakes too . Play with any figures etc they have. Make a mini shop at home for role play x