It’s sad and I’m embarrassed to admit it, but these days we spend a fair amount of time watching youtube.  I’d love to have no screens in our house but given the nature of my husband’s and my work, and the size of our home, our kid sees screens.  I’ve made peace with it.  Turns out that we have been introduced to lots of cool stuff thanks to him.  If you have a two-year old, you may want to have a look.  Or if you’re just looking for some free entertainment, that works too.

Trains.  How about that steam?  Mesmerizing.  Add the whistles and the chug chug chug and you’ve got plenty of stimulating entertainment.  Especially if you are two and into wheels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkW17FfB1cE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcstP4bXtaE

Garbage trucks.  Who knew?  There are so many types, and so many interesting parts.  Which is why grown men really like building models and making videos demonstrating all their working parts.  I’m speculating on that last part….(speaking of adults.  It is astonishing to me how many folks get together to watch trains, construction vehicles, and cars controlled by remotes do things.  Perhaps I ought to be more astonished that I’ve logged a considerable amount of time watching these people do this via their videos on youtube.  Sleep deprivation will do that to you).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmBk_2-c1k0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06xpoVe6ZoQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn3tK47qm74

The Real thing.  But then there are the real people operating real vehicles.  Doing really cool “tricks”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CMSV81_ws

Fun and Creative.  Sometimes we stumble upon something completely by accident.  And it’s entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

Unbelievable.  In a search for “orange bike” we came across an amazing Scotsman doing incredible moves (the kind that a mother fears her kid knowing how to do.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIOsL8tumMU

Thoughtful and Creative.  And then there are parents who do something creative with the same old thing.  By the way, there are lots of kids playing with their garbage trucks, construction vehicles, trains and cars on youtube.  While this would seem incredibly mundane to someone who doesn’t opt to spend hours a day watching wheels go ’round and ’round, it’s actually completely engrossing for someone who does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At2OJkw2tDM

Adorable.  And I would feel neglectful in my role as youtube ambassador if I did not at least try to introduce my kid to the millions of videos of adorable cats that their human fans have uploaded.  Lucky for us, our kid is as entertained as us.  Here’s my personal favorite cat online, he’s got quite a library of videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDolQlZWSmw

It’s heartwarming to me to see all the cool stuff that my fellow humans felt like sharing.  Happy viewing friends!