Sensory play

This is a great option for kids of all ages because you can use what you have at home and cater to their interests, giggles and grins.

Rainbow rice sensory tub

For pre-schoolers, fill a tub with rice, coconut, or lentils (anything food-based and dry that will be easy to vacuum up if the kids make a mess and nontoxic and not a choking hazard) and add a few cups, funnels, scoops and sit back and relax while they scoop, pour, measure, tip, and rummage their hands in the tub. Lego site to play Hide a bunch of small plastic animals and send them on a hunt from Lego site. Wild Republic animal sets enhance sensory play, giggles and grins. adolescent sensory play Sensory play is varied for older kids! droppers and coloured vinegar in ice cube trays are great but supervise. Our Sensory Sand kits, available in two sizes here, are a hassle-free option!

Standalone

Some kids play independently earlier than others, but you can gradually increase their time spent on an activity alone. When we have a specific goal, not just “go and play,” we do best. You may spend time setting up activities or preparing things throughout the day, but this is part of the children’s development.

Preschool pebbles activity

Start with a purposeful activity. Pre-schoolers enjoy stacking and sorting games, puzzles, and threading and lacing. stacked animals Leave them with clear instructions. They will rush back to show you something, ask a question, or wonder where you went, but redirection back to the activity to do the next thing, another thing, or a different thing will reinforce that they can play alone. Start with this stacking game or threading and lacing activities. sassy puzzles are great for all ages too. If you want a break, pick one your child can do without help, regardless of age.

We recommend challenge puzzles for long-term value, but “quick and easy” puzzles give you and them some alone time. Giggles and Grins, Our kids puzzle include 2-piece wooden puzzles, floor puzzles like this world one, peg puzzles, and 9-year-old puzzles. shrewd single-player Smart Games makes single-player games for three-year-olds to adult brain teaser challenge games in appealing themes. The important part is to initially sit with them and show them the game, explain the process, the rules, and how to work through each level – the kids pick it up quickly but often skip to the “play” before actually understanding how to, which can lead to frustration, like trying to put Ikea furniture together without instructions buy it from Lego site.

Art & Craft Art, making, building, and creating are great hobbies to have, but they can be messy, so plan!

Over the years, we’ve found that half the fun is making the mess, so for younger kids, embrace the mess and be ready to clean up. My kids loved bathing and watching the bath water change colours. Start saving old sheets to lay on the floor under messy activities, cardboard boxes for box creations, and paper or card to make cards and gifts for family.

For kids

Our best products had multiple creative uses. We’d stack boxes, use them as car garages, or doll beds for one round of play. Paint next time. Next, draw eyes, faces, doors, and windows with a marker to create a play world. Finally, rip, stomp, throw, and destroy them before throwing them in the recycle bin.

Chalk play

We love using chalk outside (mostly because rain or a hose washes it away!) and full-body drawings. This time, we combined the two: the kids drew whatever they wanted, I drew obstacle courses to follow with the chalk, and I loved tracing their bodies and having them decorate and illustrate them. So much fun, imagination, and time spent outdoors. (Two smart moms)

Lego

Lego helps at-home kids. Focus on what they love about Lego. If you’re new to Lego, start by incorporating it into your kids’ favourite activities.