Rookie Moms

We’re not so big into TV at our houses but as our babies turn into toddlers, you will find our sets tuned into the odd Wonder Pets, Signing Time, or Sesame Street at various times throughout the day.

So as we struggle with new babies and clever little toddlers and our creativity is starting to flounder a little bit, our pal, Karen, sent us this awesome list of how to entertain your two-year-old with no TV from No Impact Man. Here is a little excerpt:

We stomp the laundry in the bathtub together. “I’m splashing with my feet,” Isabella says.

We wash the dishes together. “You need my help, Daddy?”

We roughhouse on the bed together.

We ride aimlessly around on the No Impact Mobile (our tricycle with a back seat for Isabella), seeing what we can see and singing This Old Man if it’s sunny and The Old Man is Snoring if it’s raining.

We bang things really loud.

If Michelle isn’t there, we tell her things all the same and wonder if she can hear us in her mind.

We practice seeing who can scream the loudest.

I love this list because the activities are free/cheap; they do without not only TV but also other annoying toys; they get the parent to have fun like a kid; and they’re just so Daddish.

More ideas on how No Impact Man entertains Isabella without TV

Mommy Poppins runs a fun site about getting more out of living in NYC with babies. She was sweet enough to write up a week’s worth of her favorite activities exploring different neighborhoods:

This is my idea of the ultimate itinerary for a week of things to do in NYC with a baby or toddler. It involves what, I think, are the major necessary bones for getting out for a day with the baby: Lots of food stops, playground visits, a little shopping — or at least ogling — of beautiful things for baby, but mostly just good, relaxed wandering around and exploring a cool, baby-friendly neighborhood that’s not your own.

Monday—Chinatown
Babies love all the stimulation of Chinatown. The streets are filled with shops that open onto the street with bins of toys right at their level. Poke into Ting’s Gift Shop for an adorable little silk outfit or tiny pair of slippers.

For food you can stop for Dim Sum at Sweet ‘n Tart, one of the few restaurants that offers high chairs. The waiters love kids and will give them lots of attention and kids like the little bites of dim sum or a plate of noodles.

If you don’t want a sit down meal buy some delicious buns at Fay Da Bakery or dumplings from Tasty Dumpling and head to Columbus Park where you’ll find baby swings, slides and, in the summer, sprinklers.

For a treat check out Aji Ichiban Munchies. The store has clear bins of Asian snacks to buy by the pound and free samples. And, you can’t leave Chinatown without stopping at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for some almond cookie, ginger or lychee ice cream.

Tuesday—Upper West Side
Start the day at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. When you arrive, sign up for the fun drop-in classes offered throughout the day, then dive into the five floors of great interactive exhibits. When you’ve had all the educational fun you can take for one day, head over to Riverside Park. Walk downtown through the park to the 79th Street Boat Basin. You can have a relaxing lunch at the outdoor café and then move on to Elephant Playground around 76th street.

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