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Any suggestions for a partly disabled grandma to provide activities for a 2 year old?

(42 Posts)
Sulis Fri 15-Jun-18 09:40:30

these are all marvellous, and between you all you've opened my eyes. I can't believe I've been so dumb and unimaginative. I can't thank you enough. THANK YOU!!!!!

silverlining48 Fri 15-Jun-18 09:39:59

Damn, love it!

silverlining48 Fri 15-Jun-18 09:39:05

Oh yes, hunt the peg, they love it. Hide a few around house or garden give clues, hot, warm, cold, they still live it despite being older.

jenpax Fri 15-Jun-18 09:30:08

Some great suggestions here,and many little or very low cost. we used to play eye spy too, only using colours instead of words, that’s something which you could do in English and French. A small treasure hunt in the room you are in is also a good idea, little treats hidden around the room for her to find!
I suffered from hyperemesis in all 3 of my pregnancies and had to find ways to amuse the toddler from my bed.
Crafts are always a hit and you can order lots of things like glitter pens and poster paints online to compliment the stuff you can collect at home like old cereal boxes. Kids love to make collages and you could do themed ones, eg a day at the sea side with fish and waves and ice creams?
someone else suggested snap, and that’s a brilliant idea, and in my experience leads to fits of giggles from both parties. We also used to play games where you had to keep a straight face while the other person made silly faces, it didn’t last long with a toddler ?

silverlining48 Fri 15-Jun-18 09:23:33

Loved using...

silverlining48 Fri 15-Jun-18 09:23:01

Pretend tea parties, my gd lived used my childhood Bakelite teaset and loved pouring out the ‘tea’ for us. Or just water in a bowl and a few small plastic bowls, spoons, cups to transfer water around. Bubbles.....

Cold Fri 15-Jun-18 09:18:33

Baking - if able
Puzzles
Board games
Doll's house/dolls/toys
Painting/printing with potatoes or leaves
Cutting out and sticking (old magazines) or collage
Crafts
Water play at sink (get lots of towels for this)
Nursery rhymes
Make up stories or songs

Humbertbear Fri 15-Jun-18 08:21:18

There are very simple board games you could play. My grandchildren used to love me drawing round their hand so they could put faces on the ‘fingers’. Picture dominos, snap. Buy some sewing kits (ready punched with holes). Painting and Play Do are always popular. My grandchildren just liked spending hours cuddling up being read to. Ask her mum to buy books from charity shops for you. They also enjoyed playing with a doctor’s set. Could she play shops with the contents of your kitchen cupboard? Oh, now I wish mine weren’t all at school!

silverlining48 Fri 15-Jun-18 07:45:54

Speaking to her in French will be really beneficial, children learn so quickly. Bon chance!

silverlining48 Fri 15-Jun-18 07:43:26

The suggestions here have been good and I really don’t think you shoukdbe too worried, you are doing plenty.
If you go shopping and if she is well behaved a trip to the supermarket us interesting fir a 2 year old. I know we took our gd there sometimes and she lived sitting in the trollt with a good view of everything.
We used to take our grands out often but actually they enjoy spending time here at home, they know where everything is including their toys cobbled together via charity shops etc, am encouraging them to do a bit of gardening and a unforgettable day last autumn when they dug up the potatoes we had planted earlier. They were so excited.

Sulis Fri 15-Jun-18 07:42:09

Oh my goodness! Thank you all! I can't believe I haven't thought of any of these terrific things! Yes, we have lego, playdoh, jigsaws, books, but never thought of some of the things you have all suggested. Brilliant! Huge thank yous!! smile

crystaltipps Fri 15-Jun-18 07:37:08

Any mums/ grans nearby with toddlers you could invite round? Kids this age can amuse each other
Make a den under a table or use a clothes airer with a blanket over where she can take her teddies and “hide”.
Is this a possibility? - Get a roll of lining wallpaper and make hand/ footprints picture with poster paints or just a big drawing of each other.
Bowl of water on table wash dollies/ any plastic toys / cups etc use plenty of old towels - old shirt for apron etc
I’m sure loads of other ideas you will already have thought of.

BlueBelle Fri 15-Jun-18 07:32:45

My grandkids used to love a big piece of cardboard on the table and make a collage I ve still got an underwater one in the cupboard that we did when they were very little
What about making scent with flower petals ( you mention a garden)
Make her a tent from a tablecloth or sheet and a chair simple stuff

Does your daughter bring toys with her ? If not ask her to get some from the local charity shop then she can have her own drawer or cupboard at your house

Marydoll Fri 15-Jun-18 07:17:24

If you have a tablet or iPad, there are lots of counting and matching games online ( limiting screen time , of course).
If you sit with your granddaughter, you can find lots of opportunities to develop her language skills.

Marydoll Fri 15-Jun-18 07:14:03

Have you tried baking or would that be difficult for you?
Yesterday DGD, who is two and a half, made a Father's Day card for her daddy. She had a great time sticking all sorts of junk from my craft stash.
The only thing is, as soon as daddy walked in the door, she told him about her "surprise" ? card
What about using old magazines and practising cutting skills.
My DGD has just discovered jigsaws, but mum forgot to bring them yesterday, so we did some interactive ones on my tablet. Great for hand, eye co- ordination.
Good luck.

PamelaJ1 Fri 15-Jun-18 07:03:33

Playmobil and play doh.
That’s just for starters.

Sulis Fri 15-Jun-18 06:55:25

Hi Everyone! I rather desperately need some suggestions as to what to do with my 2.5 year old grandaughter. She is very bright, quite a character, and needs me to provide some activities for her when she comes to me on Thursday and Friday every week. The problem is that I rarely go out - just to the supermarket once a fortnight to shop. I can barely walk, and although I would love to trot about with her, it is not an option. I fear she is very bored staying at home with me all the time, we do read, do a spot of gardening, watch a bit of tv (limited!!), and I talk/teach her some French, as her father, my son, is French. Any suggestions would be so very welcome. We live in Suffolk. Thank you very much for reading this. smile