40 Ways to Keep a 2 Year Old Diva Busy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to keep an independent, stubborn, little 2 year girl busy is no small task.  I spend the majority of my time trying to find things to do to prevent her from fighting with her brother, throwing toys and being an overall pain in the ass.   Below are some different ideas…good luck fellow moms, these girls are TOUGH.

1. Disney Freaking Junior.
2. Get a plastic container.  Fill with all of your old, cheap Forever 21 jewelry. Let her go wild.
3. Play-Doh- make sure she is on a hard surface and not the carpet.
4. If she lets you, braid her hair like Elsa.
5. Crayons/Washable markers are always a go to.  But this activity is NOT for a super-neat mom…you have to be prepared to use a magic eraser on wall art.
6. Coins. A jar. A piggy bank. Have her count and organize.
7. Put your “vintage” bags and wallets in a milk crate and let her have the freedom to pick one and wear when you go to the store or run errands.  She can even fill with some of her favorite small things.
8. While your cleaning, give the little diva some damp paper towels.  My daughter loves to “help” me clean, even if it only holds her attention for a few minutes.
9. Let her take picture with your iPad and show her some of the different filters.
10. Lacing Cards.  I just recently found out what they were when my mom bought these ones for the kids.
11. Paint her nails with a light color. Do one hand, let it dry. Then the other.  This will lessen the chances of her messing them up before they dry.
12. Kids Scissors and old magazines.  She may not know how to cut yet but it will keep her occupied while still keeping up with celebrity goss.
13. Make a cake or brownies and let her decorate with jimmies (or sprinkles…ugh) and candy.
14. Start creating a “dress up trunk” of clothes for her to play with. This cute set from Amazon would be a good way to start the collection.
15. Clean your old make up brushes and old makeup containers and let her pretend to put oh her own make up, and maybe even do mommy’s make up too.
16. Pick weeds.  Yes, little divas need to learn how to garden, too. Buy her some cute little gardening gloves and accessories, show her which ones are the weeds, and you have some cheap labor and a pretty flower bed.  Watch closely though because she might pick your flowers, too.
17. Let her help you load the dishwasher.  Hand her non-breakable, non-sharp items.  She will seriously think she is so cool.
18. Listen to music with her.  Not only is it entertaining for her, it will be fun for you as well.  My baby girl sings along to pop songs in the car…her latest “jam” is Worth It by Fifth Harmony. HILARIOUS!
19. Sticker books.  Lots and lots of sticker books. I really like these sticker books by DK Publishing.  Stickers are sturdy and books are high quality.
20. If you think she can handle it, get her ears pierced.  Unfortunately my daughter is too busy and I have a feeling she would play with them too much or rip them out…but a more “mature” 2 year old might be able to handle it!
21. Grab a jump rope and a partner and let the little one practice her jumping skills.  It might be frustrating for her but she will be soooo excited once she gets the hang of it.
22. Do you have a good girlfriend with a toddler?  Make a whole night of it…a sleepover!  Invite them over, rent a kids movie, set up some toys, and enjoy some wine while catching up.  We all know it’s probably been way too long.
23. Teach her a new sport.  I introduced lacrosse to my daughter before she could walk, and now she is in love with the idea of the game.  We also take time out to teach her to kick the soccer ball and swing the bat.  While she is a diva, I want her to know how to kick some ass on the field.
24. Make her a homemade fort with blankets and chairs and furniture, like we used to do back in the day. She will love it and stay in there for at LEAST 10 minutes.
25. This VTech KidiJamz Studio. We have one but it definitely was less expensive than this version.  The best part is the headphones….she could be rocking out and you won’t hear a thing.
26. Take her shopping.  She’s gotta learn from someone!
27. Do you have a fridge? Buy a ton of fun magnets- this should keep her busy when you want to attempt cooking dinner.
28. If it’s nice weather, take her to a track (indoor or outdoor) when it’s not so busy.  Let her walk/jog with you. It’s important that she learns the importance of exercise at an early age.  I saw some super fabulous toddler workout clothes at Old Navy that would make the experience more “diva-like”.
29. Take her to a movie.  I was a little skeptical but I took my little biddy to see the Minions on Sunday and surprisingly she sat most of the movie.  The chocolate helped her sit too.
30. Edible Finger Paint.  I saw this idea on Popsugar.  Because of my weariness of food dye and the effect it has on my little one, I may opt out of this activity but it looks like a super yummy idea.
31. READ, READ, READ.  Read them books, every night.  I am guilty of not following through with this, but I do try to read as often as I am able.
32. Make some cute little toddler tea sandwiches, get all dressed up, and have a mini tea party with your little “big” girl…invite her dolls and stuffed animals, too.
33. Watch Tangled.  My hubs thinks it’s better than Frozen and I think he’s got a point.  Catchy tunes and a cute story.
34. Although we try to limit iPad use as much as we can, it’s impossible to shield the kids from it completely.  Both of my kids LOVE the Sago Mini apps- they are easy, the graphics are adorable and in the Ocean Swimmer app, the tiny seahorse even poops.
35. Adopt a pet.  What 2 year old doesn’t like animals?
36. Show her your wedding video/photos.  Little princess will be mesmerized seeing her OWN momma dressed like a princess!
37. Skype/Facetime with friends and family…especially little cousins who she doesn’t get to see often.
38. Lego’s aren’t just for boys. This playhouse looks like it could keep her occupied for a bit.
39. Let your little one “help” you fold clothes.  Give her some towels and show her the concept. She will probably spend some time trying to get it right.
40. Make a homemade pizza dough and let her (and your other kiddies) put on the toppings.  It might get messy but she will have fun AND will be more likely to eat her dinner.  I can’t promise anything though.