Activities for 16 Mo Old

I agree with S.S.--kids this young need human interaction and are really not capable of "playing by themselves" too well. Plus, at this age, they start doing a lot of silly things (climbing places they shouldn't, getting into stuff they shouldn't, etc.). So, it's also not a safe thing to leave them unattended for very long.

See if you can "nanny-share" (go in with another family to pay for a nanny) or find a SAHM who is doing childcare or a small in-home childcare situation. Or put him into childcare. Yes, he'll get sick, but he'll get sick regardless (now or later or both), and there's not much you can do to prevent that unless you all live in a bubble. :)

I hate to tell you this but he really needs interaction with people above all else, including activities. Leaving him alone with blocks or books or artwork for an hour or so is one thing but to leave him alone all day while you work is quite another. And I'm sure you're watchig him but he really needs face to face, get down on the floor with him interaction. If you can't afford daycare, maybe hire a teenager babysitter type person to help out while you work and supervise. I just read a book about how interaction is key for normal emotional and intellectual development so please give him that! Good luck

He needs to interact with someone, you can not just set up activities for him to do with little supervision. I understand your need to work, I am in the same situation but once my daughter was over an year of age I went to part time so I could be there for my daughter during this active part of their growth where then NEED supervision & one on one time. If you really can not go to part-time then I would suggest at least part-time putting him into childcare so he gets more socail time. Until they are 3 years old a child needs a lot of one on one time supervision.

For this age group we did:
Finger painting (supervised).
Coloring (some kids loved others only did for 5 mins)
Simple puzzles (they start it but need help along the way).
Reading Time (we read to them).
Singing Time (we led).
Nap Time (the one time less supervised).
Snack Time (supervised eating time).
Free Play Time (play group, play ground, always supervised).
Blocks, Stickers, Play kitchen, wooden train set.

Kids at this age need to be taught how to play and socalize properly, they need that supervision and attention.

I would suggest activities such as playing with blocks, books, or anything interactive. When I need something to keep my 16mo. old son preoccupied, I give him a bag of blocks, and he stacks them for ever! This is good for his development, so if you let your child sit on the floor next to you, he should be entertained for a while. My son also LOVES to flip through books. He will talk to them as if he is reading. Here recently, he has learned to love those magnetic drawing boards--I'm not sure of the actual name.

My 16 month old loves the music and movement held at our local library. She loves being around all the other kids. She also loves being taken to the pool. She loves going to a park and going down a slide over and over or playing in the sand. She is happiest when there are other kids around so we will arrange to meet friends there. She is too young to actually play with the other kids but you can tell she is super excited to have them around her. We have a family center here and there is scheduled todldler time twice a week. They have a lot of toys and a little indoor play structure. They also have a toddler craft time and a toddler yoga time. I think she is a bit too young for these activities but she will be able to do them soon. She also just loves water play - in the tub or in her water table. I'm happy it's getting warmer and we can break out the water table soon. Since you work at home can you take your son out to toddler activities once a day? Maybe you have some similar activities in your area. Or can you invite over 2 or 3 friends with similar aged toddlers and have a regular playdate at your house?

He's too young to be on his own for more than a few minutes. If you can't give him the attention and supervision he needs, then I'd reconsider daycare for him.

You could probably get away with an hour or two of him playing on the floor of your office (colouring or with blocks), but any longer than that and he's going to get bored.

I dont work but work on my home all day, cleaning , cooking etc... and my DD is very independent , and loves to do thing by her own once you show her the way. she loves stickers!! so I have a bunch of them and she put them in paper , she loves dolls, I think you can get him a little kitchen to play with, I have 2 drawers full of her plastic cup and plates and she can spend hours playing when im in the kitchen, she loves Dora so I let her wacht 1 show in the morning and 1 show afternoon.....
I been looking for a part time daycare because I believe she need to play with more kids her age (17 months) but been able to find any place around..
oh she loves to coloring so she's using my oldest daughter old color books and some crayons or markers but Im always in sight not with her but watching .....

Sorry at this age he needs to be socialized. Can you check into part time daycare for a few days a week so he gets that extra stimulation and socialization. How about a play group with working Moms that get together at least once a week?