Toddlers and preschoolers are some of the busiest people on the planet. They want to explore, investigate, and test the edges of their knowledge of how things work. If you’re a parent of these young bundles of exploratory energy, you know how challenging it can be to get your work done while they stay engaged and content, especially without turning on the television to babysit them. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or work-at-home mom (or dad!), there are a few tricks to keep up your sleeve when it comes to TV-free activities for little ones that will let you have a few extra minutes to get things done.
Camp in the Living Room
Use extra sheets and chairs to build a tent with your kids in the living room, or invest in a nylon pop-up tent. Keep a box of kid friendly camping supplies ready that include flashlights, LED lanterns, books with wildlife pictures and stories, and some inexpensive plastic bug toys. Let the kids add pillows and a favorite stuffed animal to the mix and they are ready to camp while you get the kitchen cupboards clean, pay bills, or do some table filing.
Play Floor Games
It can be hard on rainy or cold days to entertain the kids inside, but bringing a little outside fun inside will help keep them moving and let you have a few minutes to fold laundry. Use painters’ tape to create hop scotch grids, 4-square grids, and other games on the floor. Instead of throwing rocks for hop-scotch, give the kids a milk jug lid or bean bag to toss. For 4-square, use a balloon or inflatable beach ball instead of a playground ball or basketball. For toddlers even just running two parallel lines of tape across the floor can give them a safe place to practice balance – have them skip, slither, or walk on tip-toes along the lines.
Open a Box of Treasures
When my kids were younger I always kept a box of treasures I only pulled out when absolutely necessary – guests were coming for dinner and I still had play clay stuck in my hair or the kitchen looked like something exploded in it – yesterday. I kept small toys, games, and craft supplies in the box that I would collect at thrift stores, after Christmas clearance, and from friends who were cleaning house. Sometimes I would make a game of it and let the kids have 30 seconds to choose a game, or I would select one for them. Things like a baby doll, toy motorcycle, puzzle, book of silly faces, or new jar of craft model clay can provide 15 minutes of fun for the kids and valuable Mom time. The treasures go back into the box for another day at the end of the 15 minutes.
Make a tunnel – Listen to your kid’s need to crawl and explore and make a tunnel with pillows or use one of those play tunnels designed for kids (or in our case now, dog agility). Snake the tunnel in your work space and let the kids bring their toy cars, stuffed frogs, or rubber snakes into the tunnel and race them through it with them. It keeps kids moving and takes just a few minutes put away.
Add music – If you’re trying to sweep or dust, dance around and do it to music and get your little ones hopping to the beat. It makes the chore more enjoyable for both of you!
Use a kitchen timer – If you need 10 minutes to finish a project while your son stays busy, let him know that for 10 minutes it is his time to build with blocks while you finish your project. Setting a timer will help him know that there is an end game in sight and at the end of 10 minutes your attention will be back on him. Stick with your word and make sure that after the 10 minutes you engage him in play or an activity. You can always grab another 10 minutes later – don’t try to set a timer for 60 minutes and expect him to be content.
Dump out the toy box – My little ones loved nothing more than when I would literally tip the toy box upside down and let them have at it. There were always treasures at the bottom that they couldn’t get to with their own shorter arms. The mess can be dumped back in if you don’t have time or energy to sort it, and they will likely be content to investigate whatever has been lurking and lost at the bottom.
Give them a job – While it might not sound like fun, toddlers and preschoolers are much more likely to be content if they know they have something to do. Give them the task of dusting the table, and then fashion a miniature duster from a clothespin clipped to a small square of a paper towel that they can use to dust their doll furniture.
Give them a camera – Keep an inexpensive digital camera on hand that your little ones can use to document their day. Have them take pictures of you working, their toys ready for a new game, or their cat sleeping on their bed. Just before Dad comes home, help them print the pictures and make a poster of their day.
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