Simple ways to keep your toddler or preschooler busy while you work from home.
The coronavirus pandemic has completely transformed the daily routines of households around the world. For parents who are now working from home, it’s given a new meaning to work-life balance. Trying to squeeze in 8-hours of work with a toddler or preschooler at home is a big challenge.
Creating a schedule with time blocks for work, play, snacks, and meals can help you and them. Children thrive on structure even though they may resist it at the start. Setting up activity stations for your kids, before you get to work, and having a list of activities to fall back on can help you stick to your work from home schedule. Planning to take breaks to spend quality time with your kids throughout the day can help you and them too. It will meet their need for attention and your need for a mental break.
We have rounded up a list of 27 activities that you can do at home to keep your toddler or preschooler busy. We hope these inspire you and make your time working at home more meaningful.
Indoor Independent Activities
When you need to focus on work, choose two or three of these activities for your kids to do. To get them engaged, set up activity stations for them with all the supplies they’ll need.
- Put together a puzzle.
- Color or draw.
- Play with blocks.
- Work through an activity book or learning activity. (You can find lots of fun and engaging distance learning tools on our website!)
- Explore a sensory treasure trove.
- Paint with watercolors.
- Make a craft. (Here are 50 awesome craft ideas).
Outdoor Independent Activities
Take advantage of Florida’s wonderful spring weather by letting your kids play outside! This is a great opportunity for you to soak up vitamin D too! If you have a patio or deck, set up your laptop outside to work while they play. You can keep them busy by suggesting some of these activities for them:
- Blow bubbles.
- Draw on the sidewalk with chalk or chalk paint.
- Play in the sandbox.
- Host a stuffed animal picnic or tea party.
- Do a scavenger hunt. (There are dozens of printable backyard scavenger hunt lists on Pinterest!)
- Jump rope and hopscotch.
Indoor Activities to Do Together
When you are ready for a break, try out one of these activities! Many of them can be done in 15 minutes or less.
- Read a book together.
- Play I spy or hide and seek.
- Make creations out of play dough.
- Workout together. (Here’s a quick and easy family workout.)
- Make a recipe or fun snack together.
- Decorate cookies or cupcakes.
- Hunt for a toy you hid. Use cues like “colder” and “warmer” to guide them.
- Do a chore together like washing the dishes or mopping.
- Close the blinds, pop some popcorn, and watch a movie together.
Outdoor Activities to Do Together
Getting your blood flowing outside is great for your mind. It can help you solve a tough work problem or unlock your creativity. Your kids will love spending time with you outside. These activities will be fun for both of you.
- Garden together.
- Play tee-ball or kickball.
- Go on a walk or bike ride.
- Play an old school game like mother-may-I, Simon-says, duck duck goose, or monkey in the middle.
- Bounce on the trampoline.
Making a list of activities your children would enjoy can alleviate your mental load. When your kids are bored or full of energy that they need to burn, all you have to do is pull out your list and let your kids choose what sounds best. We hope that you can choose 5 to 10 of these activities for them this week!
If you are looking for more tips on how to balance your work and life right now, check out The Muse’s 7 Tips for Working from Home with Kids. You can also reach out to us about enrolling your child at Kids ‘ R Kids Avalon Park. We are committed to providing a safe environment for the children, childcare workers, and families in our care during this time.