Activities for a 3yo

[AquaGirl]

Ok, I know this is way off topic from travel, but I thought I would give this post a try since some of you have young children.

I have the pleasure of spending time almost every week with my cutie pie 3 year old niece, who is a joy and bundle of energy. She loves the outdoors, playgrounds and especially going to a swimming pool, so most of our 'play dates' are centered around these activities. I don't have children, so I don't have a lot of experience with this age. Now that we are approaching winter, I need some ideas for indoor activities on days when bad weather keeps us indoors. She is so active, so books and hands-on toys only keep her attention for a short time.

My question is where I can find some good ideas for indoor fun things for a 3 year old.

Thanks!

[kklay]

Hello, my suggestion is to check out your local YMCA or YWCA - many times they have special activities on a Saturday for children. There is also OPEN GYM time available where there would probably be other children interested in some sort of organized play - they even have the "shorter" basketball poles/nets for the young ones. That's my suggestion!

[loria]

baking. bread is always a good one--then you can eat it when it's done!, ginger bread men (that you can also decorate) or stained glass cookies--my daughter loved baking (and she was a very high energy kid too)

[djmom]

playdough, finger painting with chocolate pudding, sorting things using a muffin tin, making homemade pizza and dough, coloring without coloring book, giant cardboard box with window holes, making a fort out of blankets, legos (age appropriate size), painting fingernails and toenails, visiting the pet store, sidewalk chalk. more playdough.

[mindehankins]

Do you have an indoor play place anywhere near you? Maybe Chuckie Cheese type place? We had a smaller version of one, when my daughter was young, and she LOVED it. It was fun for me, too. I loved playing in the balls, climbing the climbing structures, bouncing in the bouncer. Wayyy fun!
She didn't like the baking part, but loved to "smush" the peanut butter cookies, also liked making worms n dirt desserts.

[aroobagirl]

My kids love making indoor tents. A blanket and a few chairs are all it takes. Also, if you have a mall nearby, you can let them burn off some energy running in the play areas or even from one end of the mall to the other.