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Keeping the Kids Busy so mom can work
Whether you are working from home or simply trying to get some household work done occupying the kids with some great activities can be a challenge.
As the summer approaches life can get a bit busier with everyone out of school. So how does Mom get anything done?
I have included below 21 great activities to keep your kids busy while you work. Whether you are working from home, trying to get some house work done or simply need some much need mommy down time.
If you are looking for some great budget friendly family activities checkout 75 Amazing Summer Family Fun Activities. You can have a great summer without breaking the bank. Plus here are 50 Electronic Free Activities to keep the kids busy.
21 Keep The Kids Busy Activities
1. Send The Kids On A Scavenger Hunt
Do you need 20 minutes or more of uninterrupted time to get things done? Send the kids on an indoor scavenger hunt. Bonus you can get them to help with the house work by adding in put your clothes away or sweep the kitchen in one or more steps.
Sunny Day Family has a great indoor scavenger hunt with printables included sure to keep the kids busy and make them think. Perfect for when mom needs to get a few things done.
2. Busy Bags or Busy Boxes
I am sure you have seen them, they are all over the internet. Simple easy ways to keep your kids busy for hours all stored in a simple bag or box for easy transport.
Busy bags are great for in the car activities. You can also pop busy bags into your purse or the kids backpack to take to grandma’s, the local restaurant or to appointments.
Now if you have a Lego lover in the house this busy box from Mama, Papa, Bubba is great. It includes printables too.
3. Time For Art
Do you have a child that loves to draw or color? Something as simple, easy and frugal as paper and pencil crayons could turn into hours of fun for your child and serious get things done time for Mom.
You don’t need a sketch pad simple blank paper will do. My kids like to use the printer paper or even recycle the other side of copy sheets in the recycle bin. Lay out some pencil crayons, felt pens or pastels and let your little artist’s imagination run wild.
4. Puzzles
Expand on your child’s creativity and get their brain moving with a good old fashioned jigsaw puzzle. This is currently going on in our home. The size and skill level of the puzzle will vary depending on the child.
5. Play Dough or Clay
Tell me what kid big or small kid doesn’t want to play with play dough or clay. Our oldest son played with slime yesterday for over an hour which was great because I had a mile long list of things I needed to get done.
Domestic Super Hero has a great play dough recipe you should all try. If you are looking for a fluffy slime recipe checkout The Best Ideas For Kids.
6. Science Experiments
Now this one can get a bit messy and you may want to be in the same room. Science Fun is a great source for kid friendly, budget friendly science experiments.
7. Give Them A Box
I laugh but how true is this?! Give a child a box and they can play for hours. In fact right after our move our oldest son asked if he could make a box fort and tunnels with all our moving boxes. Let the imagination run wild, what can the create or make with a box? A grocery store, a tunnel or a car?
8. Build A Fort
Now you can buy fort making kits but all you really need is a sheet, some chairs, maybe a clothes pin or two and some imagination. You could even create a fort and let the kids camp indoors for hours of play. Think of all the work mom could get done?
9. Game Time
Whether it be video games, board games or card games they are sure to keep your kids busy for a bit. Or maybe mom needs a work break and family game time is the perfect choice.
10. Give Them A List
Are you struggling to get stuff done? Include the kids, give them a list of chores or things you need help with.
11. Put On A Show
There is nothing wrong with putting on your child’s favorite show to keep them busy so mom can work. Let’s face it mom or dad need to make an income to keep the family going and if that includes 30 minutes of cartoon time than go for it.
12. Paint Rocks
Have you ever gone for a walk and discovered painted rocks or seen then in a garden? Painting rocks is a simple creative craft that kids enjoy. They also love the idea of leaving their painted rocks out in the world for people to enjoy. Mod Podge Rocks has some great painted rock designs you can try.
13. Write A Letter
Something so simple and old school. Writing a letter to a friend or relative. If your kids don’t want to grab a pen and paper let them to send an email to grandma.
14. Ball Pit
Hours and I mean cheap, frugal hours of fun. You don’t need anything special. We used a sand box once for a ball pit (minus the sand of course). You can find the cheap plastic balls online or at kids stores or even at the thrift store.
If you are looking to get some house work done this is one activity sure to occupy even your older kids.
15. Paper Airplanes
Again something a bit old school but fun. Paper airplanes are cool and your kids can spend hours folding and perfecting the perfect flyer. Will it go the distance? How far will it fly?
16. Picnic or Camping Inside
Now your house may not be big enough to set up a tent and all the camping essentials but you could set out the sleeping bags or a picnic lunch for some fun kid busy time.
17. Lego Time
Yes, I am suggesting you put out those little blocks and let the imagination run wild. Kids and adults alike can spend hours playing Lego.
18. Virtual Tours
You can tour just about anywhere without leaving your house. In this 25 Ideas to Beat the Boredom post you can discover a bunch of virtual tours that may keep both mom and children busy. Tour the Grand Canyon or a famous museum all from the comfort of your home. Don’t tell the kids but they are learning while watching these tours too.
19. Tape, Shape, Fun
Keep the kids busy and active at the same time. I love this game from Toddler Approved to keep the kids busy indoors all you need is a simple roll of painters tape and some imagination.
20. Balloon Fun
Balloons can mean hours of fun. Balloon toss, balloon races, balloon characters and the summer favorite water balloons.
21. Exercise Time
Are your kids getting antsy with being stuck inside? Home School Share has a great set of exercise printables you can give to your kids to keep them busy and let them get a bit of exercise time in while Mom gets some work done.