How to Keep Kids Busy at Home with Fun and Engaging Activities
Keeping kids busy at home is not just about keeping them entertained, it’s about survival. It’s about creating those little pockets of time where you can actually breathe, get things done, or even just have a moment to yourself with some effective boredom-busters.
Think about it: You’ve got a million things going on – laundry, dishes, maybe a work deadline, and trying to remember where you left your keys. And then there’s the tiny humans who need constant attention, especially when they’re bored. It’s a recipe for a mom meltdown!
So, keeping them busy isn’t just about being a good mom, it’s about your sanity! Here’s why it’s so important…
Me Time: Whether it’s a hot bath, a quiet cup of coffee, or just 10 minutes to scroll through Instagram, having even a little time for yourself can make a world of difference.
Getting Stuff Done: Chores don’t do themselves, mama. When your kids are occupied, you can actually tackle those mountains of laundry, clean the kitchen, or finally answer those emails.
Avoiding meltdowns: Let’s face it, bored kids are a recipe for disaster! Keeping them engaged prevents whining, tantrums, and those desperate cries of “I’m bored!”
But, it’s not about just plopping them in front of the TV. It’s about finding fun and engaging activities that both keep them busy and spark their creativity. And that’s where those little clever ideas come in!
9 Fun and Engaging Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy
1. Give them Sensory Toys
Fill a bin with dry beans, rice, pasta, or other textured materials. Add scoops, cups, and toys for a sensory exploration adventure. They’ll be mesmerized for ages. You can also read my blog about sensory toys perfect for toddlers.
Sensory Bin Tips for Moms
Theme it up: Make it more fun by choosing a theme for your sensory bin.
- Beach Day: Use sand, seashells, plastic ocean animals, and toy buckets.
- Farm Fun: Use dry beans, plastic farm animals, toy tractors, and a mini fence.
- Construction Zone: Use dry pasta, toy trucks, construction tools, and blocks.
- Space Explorers: Use dry rice, plastic planets, spaceships, and astronauts
Remember: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and textures. You can mix dry beans with rice, pasta with sand, or even add some small toys. Please let them get messy too! Sensory bins are all about exploration and tactile learning.
Just make sure you have a designated area for it and some cleaning supplies handy. You can add scoops, cups, spoons, tongs, and other tools to encourage pouring, scooping, and sorting.
Make it fun by trying to hide small objects in the sensory bin for your kids to discover. Use your imagination! There are endless possibilities when it comes to sensory bins.
After playtime, pour the contents of the bin into a storage container and wash the bin and any tools. You can also sterilize the materials in the oven or dishwasher.
2. Overnight Indoor Camp
Gather blankets, pillows, a tent, and anything else you can find to create a comfortable indoor camping space. Add some twinkle lights, and fairy lights, and give them snacks like popcorn to make it extra special.
Indoor camping is one of the many fun and engaging indoor activities for kids.
Few additional tips and how to set up an overnight fun
Before the Camp, talk to your kids and get them excited about the sleepover! Make it a team effort. Ask them for movie suggestions, snack ideas, or even what kind of crafts they’d like to do. Make sure you have plenty of snacks, drinks, and comfy blankets and pillows.
Before setting up the camp, plan activities first and think beyond just watching movies. Plan some games, crafts, or other fun things to do to break up the screen time.
Make sure to talk about rules, and go over basic sleepover rules of bedtime, quiet time, bathroom routines, etc.
During the Camp, let them be kids. It’s okay if things get a little messy or chaotic! It’s a sleepover! Embrace the fun and encourage bonding.
Create opportunities for your kids to connect and make memories together. You can also plan some quiet time for reading, drawing, or just relaxing. Make sure to prepare Late-Night snacks for their late-night cravings.
After the Camp, let them help with cleaning. It encourages responsibility among little kids. Even with a little mess, a quick tidy-up will help everyone feel refreshed for the next day. Then, talk with your kids about the fun they had and what they enjoyed most about their overnight camp.
Bonus Tips
You can also make your overnight camp a movie night. Set up a TV or projector and make sure to get creative with decorations! Make homemade popcorn boxes, string lights, or movie posters. You can also set up a photo booth with props for fun memories.
3. Art Time
Gather some paper, crayons, markers, paints, and various craft supplies to unleash your kids’ artistic creativity through different arts and crafts activities. It’s a magical way for kids to express themselves, explore their creative side, and have tons of fun.
Here are some extra tips for making art time a success:
If you want to have less mess, give them a dedicated space or are even if it’s just a corner of the table, helps keep things organized and makes cleanup easier.
Make sure to cover your table or floor with a drop cloth, plastic tablecloth, or even old newspapers to prevent paint and marker mishaps. You can also keep art their supplies readily available in a bin or caddy so they’re easy to grab and put away.
To make it fun, sometimes let your kids get messy! Just make sure they’re comfortable with getting a little paint on their clothes. Encourage your kids to experiment with colors and things, even if their artwork isn’t museum-worthy. You can also pick a theme for art time, like animals, nature, or superheroes. This can spark your child’s imagination and give them something to focus on.
Try New Techniques byintroducing different art materials like playdough, clay, finger paints, crayons, markers, and watercolors.
How to keep it clean? Before you start, explain to your kids how to clean up after they’re done. You can also opt for Washable Materials like paints and markers that come off easily. You can also turn cleanup into a game by asking your kids to help you collect the supplies, put away the paints, and wipe down the table.
4. Fun Learning
Building blocks, LEGOs, and magnetic tiles are absolute winners for keeping kids engaged and learning. Here’s why they’re so awesome:
Creativity Unleashed: These toys let kids build anything their imaginations can dream up! They’re not limited by pre-set instructions, which encourages them to think outside the box and come up with their own designs.
Problem-Solving Power: Building with these toys requires kids to think about shapes, sizes, and how things fit together. They learn to plan, experiment, and problem-solve when they encounter challenges.
Fine Motor Skills: Those tiny hands get a great workout! Building with blocks helps kids develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity.
Spatial Reasoning: Kids learn about space and how objects relate to each other as they build structures and explore different arrangements.
STEM Skills: Building toys are a fun way to introduce kids to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts in a playful way.
Tips for Moms
Prepare a designated building area in your home, whether it’s a table, corner, or even just a large rug. You can also encourage your kids to build specific things, like a house, a castle, or a car. You can even create themed challenges based on their favorite books or movies.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Messy. Let kids experiment and have fun, even if it means a few blocks end up scattered on the floor. Encourage them to experiment and create their own designs. Don’t be afraid to step back and let them explore their creativity.
5. Dressing Up
Dig out some old clothes, hats, scarves, and accessories for a dress-up extravaganza. Let your kids express their creativity and have fun pretending to be different characters. Consider using pipe cleaners to create unique costume pieces and add an extra touch of imagination to their outfits.
Tip Ideas for Moms
Get crafty! Use felt, fabric scraps, paper, cardboard, and paint to create their own costume pieces. It’s a fun activity in itself! You can also let them borrow glasses, swords, wands, or even a simple cape that can add that extra touch of magic.
If your child is new to dressing up, start with a simple costume or a few accessories. Always be safe and make sure the costume fits properly and doesn’t pose any safety risks, especially when it comes to masks or small accessories.
Encourage your kids to express their creativity and individuality. Let them decide how they want to dress up and what they want to be.
6. Treasure Hunt Adventure
The idea of a treasure hunt can be a thrilling adventure for kids. Hide toys, treats, or special objects around the house and let your kids go on a treasure hunt. You can make it even more fun by creating a map or clues.
Here’s how to set up a fun treasure hunt inside your home
Draw simple pictures or use photos to represent objects or locations in your home. You can put it on easy-to-find clues that lead to a simple hiding spot. If you want your kids to be challenged, you can try challenging locations, like inside a book, behind a picture frame, or under a cushion.
Make sure to get everything ready beforehand so you can focus on the fun while the kids are busy with their hunt. Don’t forget to prepare a prize. For younger kids, a small toy, a special treat, or even a sticker can be a big win.
I purchased this game for my kiddos and they love finding the jewels and solving the picture hints! Great for all ages 4+.
7. Spa at Home (Relax together)
Set up a quiet space. Round up all your favorite spa products, like bath bombs, face masks, lotions, and anything else you want to use. Encourage your kids to play, relax, and unwind, and let them experience a relaxing DIY Spa for kids too. A spa day can also be a wonderful way to bond with your loved ones, creating cherished memories together.
Mom Tips You Can Do
Startup by letting them choose their favorite scents or picking out the bath toys. Fill the bathtub with warm water and add bath bombs or bubble bath. Let the kids play with bath toys, and you can enjoy a relaxing soak.
Spa Activities for Moms and Kids:
Face Mask Fun: Pick out some fun face masks, like cucumber or avocado masks, and apply them together. Let the kids choose their own face masks and put them on, making it a playful activity.
Manicure and Pedicure Time: Give each other mini manicures and pedicures. You can use kid-friendly nail polish or just apply a clear coat.
Foot Massage: Relax with a foot massage. Let your kids give you a foot massage while you give them one in return.
Hair Spa: Treat your hair with a deep conditioning treatment or a hair mask.
Relaxation Ritual: Use aromatherapy by diffusing relaxing essential oils, like lavender or chamomile. You can also light some candles for a calming ambiance.
8. Make Homemade Modeling Dough
Making homemade modeling dough is a fantastic way to keep your kids entertained and spark their creativity. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a variety of doughs that will keep little hands busy for hours. Plus, it’s a great way to use up some of those recycled materials you have lying around!
Creative Dough Recipes and Tips for Moms
Classic Flour Dough: Mix together 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of warm water, 1/4 cup of salt, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add food coloring to create different colors and let the fun begin!
Cloud Dough: For a softer, fluffier option, mix 2 cups of flour with 1 cup of baby oil. Add a sprinkle of glitter or a few drops of essential oils for an extra sensory experience.
Gluten-Free Dough: If your child has gluten sensitivities, mix 2 cups of gluten-free flour, 1/2 cup of warm water, and 1/4 cup of salt. Adding a bit of xanthan gum can give it a better texture.
Tips for Moms
- Storage: Use recycled materials like old jars or containers to store your homemade dough. This keeps it fresh and ready for the next play session.
- Textures: Add different textures like glitter, sand, or rice to create unique dough recipes that will keep your kids intrigued.
- Imagination: Encourage your kids to use their imagination and create different shapes, animals, or even little sculptures with the dough. The possibilities are endless!
9. Set Up an Obstacle Course
When the weather isn’t cooperating or you’re stuck indoors, setting up an obstacle course can be a lifesaver. It’s a fantastic way to keep your kids active, burn off some energy, and have a blast all at the same time.
Indoor Obstacle Course Ideas and Safety Tips
Balloon Obstacle Course: Blow up some balloons and tie them to chairs or tables to create a fun and challenging course. The goal? Navigate through the balloons without popping any!
Couch Cushion Obstacle Course: Use couch cushions to build a course where kids have to climb over, under, and through. It’s a great way to get them moving and using their muscles.
My kids are obsessed with nugget cushions! They use it all the time for forts, sliding, doing flips, or using it as a couch to watch movies.
Tunnel Obstacle Course: Create a tunnel using a cardboard box or a blanket draped over chairs. Kids will love crawling through to reach the other side.
Safety Tips:
- Clear the Area: Make sure to remove any breakable objects or fragile items from the play area to prevent accidents.
- Soft Materials: Use pillows, blankets, and other soft materials to create a safe and padded obstacle course.
- Supervision: Always supervise your kids while they’re navigating the course to ensure their safety and to join in on the fun!
By following these tips and ideas, you can create a fun and engaging obstacle course that will keep your kids busy and active for hours. It’s the perfect boredom buster for those rainy days or when you’re stuck indoors.
Final Tips for Keeping Kids Busy
Rotate Activities: Keep things fresh by rotating activities regularly.
Set Up Play Zones: Create designated play areas in your home to keep things organized.
Involve Them in Chores: Give your kids age-appropriate tasks to help you around the house, like picking up toys or helping with laundry.
Take Breaks: Don’t try to do everything at once. Take breaks when you need them, and remember to have fun!
Remember, mamas:
You deserve a break! Don’t feel guilty about keeping your kids busy. It’s not about being a perfect mom, it’s about finding ways to get things done and enjoy your time. So, embrace these creative ideas and reclaim your sanity! You’ve got this!
