How to Keep Kids Busy At Home

As a mom of three energetic boys, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to keep kids busy at home. Between the endless requests for snacks and the constant battle against boredom, finding engaging activities that capture their attention can feel like a full-time job. In this post, I’ll share my favorite strategies and creative ideas to keep your kids busy, foster their imagination, and help you reclaim a little peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for indoor crafts, educational games, or simple activities that promote independent play, I’ve got you covered!

Busy Books

A busy book is a collection of interactive learning activity sheets designed to captivate young minds. With colorful visuals and hands-on activities, these resources provide a mess-free way for children to explore, learn and solve various tasks.

Busy binders are particularly beneficial for toddlers as they lay the foundation for essential literacy and numeracy skills. They keep kids engaged for extended periods—hence the name “busy”—and they also offer more complex activities for older children, enhancing their learning experience.

Many pages in busy books feature write-and-wipe activities, where kids can use a dry erase marker that easily wipes clean with a tissue or dry eraser. The learning pages are laminated, and Velcro is often used for matching, sorting, and solving tasks, making the activities interactive and hands-on. These pages can either be bound into a busy book or organized in a binder, allowing for easy access and reusability.

Busy binders can be tailored to various ages, subjects, themes, seasons, and even holidays. They are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten-age children to learn and practice new educational concepts with minimal parental assistance. By incorporating a busy binder into your child’s routine, you can promote learning while keeping them happily occupied. Explore my collection of interactive busy books for kids here!

Coloring

Coloring is an incredibly beneficial activity for kids, as it enhances their focus and concentration while providing a calming outlet, especially before bedtime. One of my favorite tips for keeping the peace is to create separate coloring kits for each child. This way, each child has their own coloring book or sheets along with their choice of markers, pencils, or crayons—eliminating conflicts over supplies.

To help you get started, I’ve created a free 40-page coloring book available for download! It’s a great way to keep your kids engaged and relaxed. Check it out and let the creativity flow!

Cooking

I know cooking with kids can get messy, but it’s such a rewarding activity that fosters bonding, communication, and the development of essential skills like patience and problem-solving. Plus, it enhances their understanding of math and science concepts!

For younger children, I recommend measuring out all the ingredients beforehand. This way, the kids can focus on the fun part—dumping and mixing! For older kids, involve them in the measuring process to help them learn as they go.

Puzzles

You can introduce puzzles to your child as early as the toddler stage and gradually increase the difficulty as they develop. Puzzles are incredibly beneficial for kids, as they enhance problem-solving skills, foster cognitive growth, and encourage patience and concentration. Completing a puzzle also instills a sense of accomplishment, which boosts their confidence.

I began with wooden puzzles for my toddlers, and as they grew, I moved on to more challenging options. Now, they enjoy tackling 500-piece puzzles! The sense of pride and joy they experience upon completing a puzzle is a win-win for both them and me as a mom.

Toys

When it comes to choosing toys, I always gravitate towards construction toys. These toys are designed to be assembled, connected, and rearranged, allowing kids to create all sorts of structures and objects. Our family favorites are LEGO and Magna-Tiles. Not only do these toys keep children entertained, but they also provide valuable educational experiences by introducing concepts like balance, symmetry, basic physics, and foundational STEM skills. Other examples of construction toys are K’NEX, Meccano (or Erector Sets), Tinkertoy, Brio Builder, Lincoln Logs, Magformers, Zoob and Kapla Blocks 

Art Station for Kids

Creating a dedicated art station for kids can be a wonderful way to encourage their creativity and imagination. Stock the space with supplies like paper, markers, crayons, glue, and scissors, allowing them to explore various materials and express themselves freely. Working with different art supplies—such as clay, paint, and paper—engages children’s senses and enhances their sensory awareness.

Here are some of our favorite crafts that kids love:

1. Finger Painting

Finger painting is a fantastic activity, especially for toddlers. I used to mix natural colors like turmeric and beet powder with yogurt for a safe and vibrant sensory experience for my son. Watching him experiment with colors and textures was truly delightful!

2. DIY Greeting Cards

Kids can design their own greeting cards for family members, grandparents, or special occasions using markers and decorative paper. This not only fosters creativity but also teaches them the joy of giving.

3. Origami

My kids enjoy working from their origami book, creating different shapes like frogs, boats, and animals. This craft is a great way to improve fine motor skills while introducing them to the art of paper folding.

4. Paper Plate Crafts

Paper plates are versatile and can be transformed into wonderful crafts! Kids can make flowers, decorative wall hangings, or animal masks, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play.

Setting up an art station at home can cultivate a love for creativity and self-expression in your children. Let their imaginations run wild and watch as they create their own masterpieces!

Planning and Routine

As a mom, one of the best ways to ensure a smooth and less chaotic day is to establish a routine for your kids. If dinnertime tends to be stressful, consider planning ahead by setting up activities like a busy book. This not only helps keep kids engaged but also prepares them for what to expect, resulting in a more peaceful environment.

Identify time slots during the day when you, as a mom, would appreciate some quiet. Whether it’s in the morning while you enjoy your coffee, during baby feeding time, or while you’re cooking dinner, think about activities that can keep your child busy. By having these planned, you can create moments of calm amidst the daily hustle.

Implementing a structured routine can make a significant difference in your day-to-day life. It fosters a sense of security for your children and allows you to reclaim some much-needed peace and productivity.

Conclusion

Keeping kids busy at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little creativity and planning, you can turn everyday moments into fun, educational experiences that engage your children while giving you some breathing room. From busy books and puzzles to art stations and cooking sessions, these activities not only entertain but also promote essential skills like problem-solving, creativity, and independence. Personally, incorporating busy books has been a game changer for us, as they seamlessly blend fun and learning. Try out a few of these ideas, including busy books, and watch how they transform your day into a harmonious balance of fun and productivity!