My parents' dog (many years ago) was self-entertaining.

Take the tennis ball (could be another ball, but tennis balls were the best) to the top of the stairs leading up to the second floor. Lie down on the upstairs hallway carpet, just at the top step, facing down. Place the ball carefully between front feet. Nudge the ball forward gently... gently... gently... and it drops and bounces one step, two, three... GO! Chase the ball down the steps! Watch out for bad bounces! LEAP to catch it mid-air! Or chase down the first floor hallway after it. Catching it mid-air meant being able to do the victorious wiggle-dance, showing off for any of her people who might be around. Then back up again.