Fun Independent Activities for Kids

Working from home with kids is a bit of a challenge. I do what I can, but there are times that the kids are just too interested in my computer. I often wait until naptime to do work or wait for my co-pilot to watch them while I escape to the office to concentrate. There are some days, a few activities can keep their attention for short periods at a time so I wanted to share them.

Some indoor play ideas 

* Excavation Kit from Flying Tiger (3+) - After the activity you're rewarded with a little dinosaur friend.

My daughter finds that putting water on the mound of clay helps her chisel away. Her activity table is usually separate from our dinner table (it actually used to be our breakfast nook area).

The kit comes with two tools, a paint brush and chisel. 

* Coloring! Kids are so quiet when they color! And they enjoy it!

* Playdoh - This is ok for the toddler, he likes trying to cut it with one of their toy butter knives, or cut out shapes.

We have made Homemade Playdoh and have used the store bought kind.

Two tips! 

#1 Some homemade playdoh recipes mention Cream of Tartar. Instead of Cream of Tartar, you can use Lemon juice.
#2 Be sure to keep the playdoh in an airtight container afterwards to avoid mold!

* Paint with water in Water Books (from Flying Tiger and different Toy shops) - both the toddler and 4 year old enjoy these. 

* Sticker books - both kids like to peel off the stickers and put them back or on different things in their room. Get the thicker stickers so it's easier for the Toddler to peel off and stick.

* Draw and Wipe books - they can trace a path, animals, or just free draw and then easily wipe it away.

* Lego/Duplo - both the toddler and 4 year old love this. The toddler likes to use a soup spoon to scoop blocks from one bowl to another. The 4 year old builds towers or likes pretend play with the Lego characters.

* Painting with Paint - I found some heart-shaped magnets that could be painted. This kept the 4 year old busy for a while.  Make sure they wear something you don't mind getting paint on.

Some other ideas...

* Using glue stick, they enjoy sticking paper on or even just picking glue from the paper or their fingers. The toddler also likes removing the cap of the glue and putting it back on, over and over and over again...

* Taking cards from zippered purse and putting them back in (over and over again) - Toddlers loves doing this. Actually, anything where you can put something in and take it out again. Whether it be shape blocks or putting something in the oven and taking it out again (the Toy kitchen has been very well loved). 

Toy Kitchen has been perfect for taking items out and putting them back in!

They are also interested in what I am doing. For example, several times I've been cleaning out a drawer and they just find something to look at and play with while I finish cleaning, either clothes or papers etc. I mean, what kid wouldn't find their parent's closet interesting? 

And yes, we do allow screentime at our place too. Although the 4 year old can sit on her own for awhile, she later wants pretend play and the younger one wants to check out other things. So it's not a guarantee that it will keep them occupied for long periods of time, while I try to concentrate but that just means they aren't TV zombies.

Good luck working from home with kids and remember, don't forget your snacks!

Flying Tiger

Really great for craft supplies and little toys/activities for kids with locations all over the world.

Check out their website for more information.