Activities for 17 Months+--Ideas needed, please!

I'm looking for some suggestions on things I can do with my 17-month olds--art projects, outtings, etc.. that maybe I'm not thinking of? Right now we get out to a music class and a gym class, I take them to enclosed parks a few afternoons a week (though this is getting more and more difficult), we take lots of walks, play in the backyard, go over to friends houses for playdates or them come to us,etc... I haven't introduced art projects yet (no playdough, markers, etc.) though I have purchased Tadoodle markers and that magic paint that only appears on special paper (they sell at Target)..but am still thinking they're took young for it and will just put in their mouth. Lately I'm feeling like the afternoons are LONG and I want to spice up our routine! I'd love to hear what you're all doing to have fun, keep it interesting for your kiddos (and YOU!) :10:

 

Trying to think back....here are a few things that come to mind:

-Musical Instruments (We have a marching band and walk around the house singing "The Ants go Marching 1 by 1...")
-Finger Painting
-We make forts out of blankets and pillows and us flashlights inside
-Puppets
-Dance Parties (Rock the music and play with Pom-Poms....I also throw in a "Freeze" (and pause the music) every now and then and they love to strike a pose)
-Puzzles
-Mr. Potato Head (Costco sells the whole family for like $17 and it keeps them busy Forever!!)
-Coloring

 

Coloring
I would definitely bust out the tadoodles
Act out books ( I look silly, they laugh at me)
Dance along to songs
I show them some kid friendly videos on the computer
Art projects (we have made cut out pumpkins, they trace & paste and I cut them out and this week we are making turkeys)
Reading...it never gets old in this house.
We also race each other from the kitchen to living room
I let them jump and crawl all over me
Peek a boo, hide and seek(they hide under blankets and I wonder where they are and act like I can't find them)

 

http://www.teaching-tiny-tots.com/index.html

If you are looking for crafty type things, this site has some great stuff and for the age your kids are.