Building toys. I can’t tell you how many times our wooden train set has allowed me to get just one more article written. Building toys like Lego, blocks, train track sets and the like are perfect for keeping children busy for longer periods of time. They can use their imaginations and build fine motor skills, too, so you don’t need to feel guilty.
Climbing structures. Folding tunnels, monkey bars and small play sets are all excellent methods of keeping your child busy and letting him burn off some energy without needing constant supervision. That lets you get something done while they are going nuts leaping off the baby slide.
Coloring. Make sure you always have a good supply of artistic materials for your little ones. Paints, markers, crayons and pencils are all things that should be kept on hand. Kids can entertain themselves forever with creating fun art, so hand out some blank paper and let them come up with their own designs and ideas.
Books. You can never go wrong with books. To get more mileage out of them, look for books like Where’s Waldo and those that require finding things. They can take hours to work through and are a lot of fun for kids and adults alike.
Kids tend to do very well with just a little push to use their imaginations. While television and movies may be a staple in your home, it can really help to limit these and work on providing lots of books. They’ll be far more likely to exercise those brains and come up with fun games of their own.
Find even more quick activities for kids on the At Home Mom blog.
