The dishes is a good idea. It lasted for a little while with mine; and he still helps with it if he wants me to come help him with something and wants me to go more quickly.
Also, check to see if there are any Gymboree locations around where you're moving. That's how I met most of my DS's (and my) friends. They have art and music classes at most. Any other art of music classes for kids are good places to find other playmates for your kids as well...oh, or swim or gymnastic/tumbling classes.
My DS always liked blocks, puzzles, puzzles, puzzles (the puzzles just increased in size as he got older, and drawing. Everything sat out (mostly) sorted in baskets; so he could see them, but I could keep a bit of my organizational sanity. We have tons of books as well. I never worried about torn pages, especially if I got books at garage sales. My child actually never tore a page though. Lots of bitten corners on the cardboard ones though from teething.:) We got him a Leapster when he was 3 to help with his writing (Petpals has a writing game) and other fun/learning things. It was also a good way for him to retreat into something by himself for somewhat of a downtime. All the cartridges are in one baggy. Whenever I could consolidate things into a plastic bin or basket, I did. He loves his Legos (not duplos). Lots of wheels for mine is very important. He loves to build trucks, tractors, race cars, trailers, rv's, trains,.... All the Legos are in one big plastic see-through container. My DS always liked pulling things around behind him. So the simplest toys like this were the best. He has always been great at self-entertaining; although he was an extremely needy infant.
I also got a bag of small musical instruments that he loved to play marching band with, where your toddler could now join in. They are kept in the bag when not in use; but can be easily dumped out. Another big hit, when my DS was a toddler were these Dora and Backyardigan book/musical players. They had these little plastic cds that he marched around the house with replaying the music over and over. Mommy and Daddy joining in made it last forever.
We are now outside constantly; and the only thing I make sure that is scheduled is the time for eating - all mealtimes have to be held to a fairly strict schedule or we get major crankies...including snacktimes! We go to the park all the time. Around here, toddlers and preschoolers go in the mornings around 10am before the kids get out of school. Zoo trips are a huge hit for my friends with toddlers and preschoolers as well. We made a point to get season passes that don't include Dad (to save money); and then on the odd occasion that he can come, we pay for him separately.
I think that an end of the day clean-up worked out best when he was a toddler; but as a preK now, he knows to clean up between activities. We all share the house; and we can't run around and play safely with stuff laying everywhere. Hope this helps a little.:)
One more thing, I just saw someone else's post about a table. I have this step2 table.:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Step2-LifeStyle-Folding-Table-Chairs-Yellow/4232151 It is the best thing I ever bought for him as far as a place to write, draw, do crafts, eat, paint. I like the edge on the side to somewhat hold things on the table. SO easy to clean and can be put away; although he has breakfast, lunch and dinner on it; so we don't.
