At-home activities with 1 yo & 3 yo?

[ourbabygirl]

I'm having a hard time coming up with stuff to do with both DD (3) and DS (1) that will be interesting for her and still safe for him.

Unlike her at this age, DS puts *everything* in his mouth, so that basically eliminates a lot of the stuff DD loves to do, like stickers, painting, coloring with markers, crayons, stamping, drawing with markers at her easel, etc. (DS just eats crayons, & has already ruined some of her white board markers), lots of art stuff. Also legos.
I try reading to DD and he'll hang out for a little bit but won't stay on my lap or meanders around the room while I read and then gets fussy because he's bored.

He knocks over Magnatile towers, which frustrates DD, and would grab any little pieces of games and stuff.

The only things we've been able to do together are
*playing trains (though he often grabs them while they're running or knocks over their tracks),
*pushing DS on a trike while we chase DD on her balance bike, or she chases us,
*playing with musical instruments
*imaginary tea party,
*playing doctor with her doctor kit, or a bit of dress up.

I'm soooooo not creative lately and I'm getting bored here at home!

I'm sure this is an age-old problem, but I'm hoping that all of you could give me more ideas of things we can play together at home. Luckily in the nicer weather this spring we'll be able to spend more time outside on our swing set and sand box.

Thanks for your help! :)

[chozen]

maybe put him in the highchair while dd is working at the table doing art project, play doh etc. ds can eat some cherrios play with his toys, look at books or whatever ,this could take up alittle time.

[Pyrodjm]

I have 1.5yo and a 3.5yo.

We do:
-Duplo legos
-lots of doll and stuff animal pretend play
- coloring (DD2 does sneak and bite them sometimes, I try to just redirect and she is getting the idea of scribbling)
- throwing a ball in what ends up being a game of fetch withe the baby bring the ball back o me or my 3yo to throw again and again)
- lots of dancing
-DD1 and I read while DD2 plays with board books.

ETA: I let my 3yo do things like painting and playdoh when the baby is asleep. Or I let her go upstairs and play with her small parts toys in her room while I do other things with her little sister.

[mousemom]

How about water play? DS has spent a couple of afternoons recently playing with a wash basin full of warm water. I gave him a few scoops and one of those thingies that spin when you put water or sand in them. Put a towel down under the basin. We've done it on the kitchen table, but could also do it on the floor or in the bathtub.

[mikala]

You could also play with cloud or salt dough. All of the ingredients are edible but isn't especially tasty.

http://tinkerlab.com/2011/11/cloud-dough-exploration/

Once your little destructobot gets a little older you might find some good ideas at this blog. The author has two kids with a similar age spread and she often explains how they both enjoy the same craft in different ways.
http://www.artfulparent.com/2011/12/stamped-salt-dough-ornaments.html

You might also be able to have fun with some sensory table type activities like a deep tray full of rice to scoop and feel along with some trucks or kitchen tools inside. The rice would be small enough that it wouldn't be a choking hazard if swallowed and it could be vacuumed up after the inevitable spills.

[AustenFan]

I just saw this contained finger painting idea and can't wait to try it tomorrow:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mess-free-finger-painting-lovesome-164883

In general, I tend to wait to do messy activities when the little one is napping. We read books together a lot...

And another great blog with kids the same spread (we've tried several activities from here): http://havingfunathomeblog.blogspot.com (http://havingfunathomeblog.blogspot.com/)

[roseyloxs]

I love the blog: Play At Home Mom (http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/search/label/Things%20to%20do%20with%20infants). That links to their grouping of infant friendly activities. I especially like the look of the last one about yogurt.

As other have mentioned I tried to do a lot of the activities during nap time. When we don't I try to just run as much interference as possible. If we do trains I build the infant their own circle of trains so he can grab and drive all he wants. I usually try and drive on their circle so they stay engaged there and do not get interested in sabotaging the 3.5 year old.

I also would still allow the 3.5 year old to play with non-infant friendly activities for short periods of time. I would just give dd constant reminders to not put things in her mouth. I would also always have a teether or some other mouth appropriate item around to offer instead.

Lego duplos are fun. Animalz are fun. Finger painting. Bathtub painting. Blocks. Kitchen pans.