My 18 month-old is bored . . .

[lmintzer]

He really doesn't seem to know what to do with himself lately except to throw--everything. He's a regular little Sir Isaac Newton--loves to drop things through the banister, toss balls, toy cars, etc. He loves to push buttons, see how things work. He's a little late learning to talk (has maybe 2 words so far) so is frustrated easily because he can't communicate. His fine motor skills seem very good, though. He really can't sit (won't sit) for books. He'll do a little with Touch and Feel and "Good Night Moon" (since we read that every night).

Any ideas on toys that might interest him? Maybe the lacing bead snake that was mentioned below? Anything else for a kid who loves to play cause and effect games?

You'd think I'd have this down with the second kid. But my first ds also got bored around this age.

At least it's warm out, and we can go in the yard, play in the sandbox (not too much interest yet here), swing, or throw a ball.

[lmariana]

My son is around the same age and stage, he's 21 months. He used to love playing with his Little People and lately they've just turned into projectile flying objects. :)

We introduced crayons around 18 months with great success. He loves scribbling on paper. I bought the washable big chunky crayons and a bunch of paper, then made his own little "desk" out of a cardboard box. He loves having his little corner for coloring. We've also had success using the crayons while dining out.

Granted, the crayons also get thrown from time to time...but at least he has a little fun before they get chucked across the room. :) He also learned the word "crayon" very quickly, and he didn't have many words then either.

We also bought lots of soft, small balls for him to safely throw around.

Oh, magnets!!! He loves playing with kitchen magnets on the fridge! (Our has a stainless steel front, so he actually plays with magnets on the washer and dryer.) A bunch of magnets will keep him happy for a long time. Very fun! I haven't bought any, but Leap Frog makes a couple magnet toys.

Hope this helps a bit!

Mariana
Owner of HappyDayBaby
Mother of Gabriel, 08/2003
www.heinzandmariana.com (personal site)

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030814/1/5/0/-5/.png

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[mommyj_2]

Sidewalk chalk and sponge brushes for water painting are big hits at our house. Have you tried water toys, play dough (I make my own and dye it with Kool Aid) with a rolling pin and cookie cutters, or painting? I'll post more ideas if I think of them.

[JBaxter]

My 18mo old is also a late talker... actually I think he CHOOSES not to say words but anyway He has started to enjoy his mega & duplo blocks on a lego style table. He has also started to play with his matchbox cars. I found them all lined up in a row yesteday. He has a car case that looks like a tractor trailer that is pretty neat. Out side he has one of the nemo bubble blower that he likes to turn on and off.

Jeana

[kozachka]

My DS loves to blow bubbles. That's the only thing that keeps his attention for any length of time. We got this non-spilling container as a gift. I'll try to look up the brand for you tomorrow.

[lmintzer]

Thanks for the suggestions. He likes to watch his big brother blow bubbles but can't do it himself yet.

Lacing beads might be fun!

He will play with Mega Blocks some, but if I'm not actively playing with him, he'll just toss them out of the wagon. When I start structure for him, he'll add blocks.

I feel badly, because he's more of an independent player than his big brother was. So I sometimes "take advantage" of this and clean up the kitchen or make a quick phone call (while he throws toys and creates general havoc in the family room). It's not the independent play that is the problem--I know that--but just that he seems so bored and his play is so (seemingly) aimless.

[lmintzer]

Thanks for the suggestions. He likes to watch his big brother blow bubbles but can't do it himself yet.

Lacing beads might be fun!

He will play with Mega Blocks some, but if I'm not actively playing with him, he'll just toss them out of the wagon. When I start structure for him, he'll add blocks.

I feel badly, because he's more of an independent player than his big brother was. So I sometimes "take advantage" of this and clean up the kitchen or make a quick phone call (while he throws toys and creates general havoc in the family room). It's not the independent play that is the problem--I know that--but just that he seems so bored and his play is so (seemingly) aimless.

[August Mom]

Here are my thoughts:

Cardboard blocks (fun to build and knock down, so he could use some of that excess energy) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005ICC4/102-3385583-3352167

Pounding/Ball Drop Toy - DS has the Tolo Roller Ball Run one and it's pretty cool http://www.usillygoose.com/rollerballrun.html

Marble Train - DS never played with this as much as I imagined he would, but for someone who likes to figure things out, perhaps this would capture his attention. I know some moms on the board have raved about this. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/tbx/marbletrain.html

Puzzles - If he likes to figure things out, perhaps puzzles would be good. I really like the Lauri crepe rubber puzzles. There are different levels of difficulty. DS was able to do the simple ones before age 2. http://www.learningforallages.com/Overview.htm

Magnets - Around this age, DS absolutely loved the Melissa & Doug Magnetic Hide and Seek Doors. It is rated for 3+, but DS did not have a problem. If you have a DC who likes to mouth items still, you might want to remove a couple of the smaller magnets. http://www.playthingspast.com/md-143.html

HTH By the way, I am not endorsing any of these sites, I just wanted you to be able to see what I was talking about. Good luck.

[deborah_r]

Yep, my DS was all about puzzles and magnets at that age! I think I even started puzzles a little too late with him, because I didn't realize he could do them yet. Puzzles held his interest for a long time back then, and helped him learn his shapes and colors, and then letters and numbers. Letters were helped along by the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics, which also kept him busy for a long time (again, magnets!)

We would also pull out crayons or paints and sit and do little art projects, so that would hold his attention for a while.

[whittyanne]

Everyone had some really good suggestions. We're kind of in the same boat - DS gets bored, likes to throw things, etc.

He does LOVE playing with sidewalk chalk. And drawing in coloring books with crayons. And playing with the LeapFrog Fridge Magnets is a biggie too!

[brittone2]

We are moving into a new home several states away in 3 weeks. We had closing on the house this weekend and so we decided to do some painting before the actual move. I didn't pack a ton of toys for my 15 month old DS and it was hard to keep him occupied at times while DH was painting.

I gave him a new/clean sponge brush with some dishsoap and water on it and let him "paint" our all glass storm door. He had a lot of fun imitating daddy...and it was a great way to keep him away from the freshly painted walls ;)

Some other random ideas:
Beans in a box outside with scoops, shovels, spoons, etc.

Finger painting with shaving cream on a door or window or mirror

Make a nature bracelet...masking tape sticky side out around the wrist, and then pick little treasures (small flowers, leaves, etc.) and stick them to the bracelet

Water color painting (stockmar makes awesome quality water color paints) with a big easel outside

I'll post more ideas if I think of anything else.

[samiam]

Great suggestions here; only one I have to add is Playdough, assuming your ds won't put it in his mouth.

[fauve01]

thanks for this thread and the great suggestions. My DD is 19 months, and to the other fabulous ideas, i'd like to add shape sorter! we have the busy box:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005CES0/qid=1117054016/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-5687108-8730457


DD uses shapes from her brilliant basics baby's first blocks shapes in it (along with super balls and whatever else she finds):
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/infanttoys/product.asp?id=17827


she's big time into coloring/scribbling -- with crayons (i tape a sheet of paper to her high chair), sidewalk chalk, and paint. also puzzles and a lot of the other stuff PPs mentioned.

HTH!

Anne + DD 10-03