It’s Dinner Time!
When itâs time to make dinner (or fold laundryâŚor put your feet up for two minutes to relaxâŚ) the temptation is strong to switch on the TV. Or give your toddler or preschooler your phone with a fun app. Gahâyou just want some screen-free play options that keep everyone happy for more than 10 minutes. And you want them right now! So, Iâve put together a collection of screen free activities for you. They’ll not only keep your kids safely and creatively engaged, but will also free you up to finally just get. things. done.
Learn Through Play
Each of these screen-free activities (great for toddlers, preschoolers, and older…) provides all sorts of early learning benefits. And although theyâre materials I used in my preschool classroom, they work just as well in your living room. Or on the kitchen floor! Some require a little prep time. Once youâve prepped things one time, you can store and reuse the activity again and again. Pack a few of them up into tubs so they are ready to be pulled out and set up right when you need them!
OkayâŚwithout further ado, here are 5 fun (and easy) activities for your kids to do while you get some work done!
1:Â Playdough
Yep. âBut, Wendy! Itâs too messy,â youâre thinking. Iâve got you covered. Get a plastic tub– shoe box size is good. Store your play dough (hereâs the non-toxic, homemade recipe I use) in a zip top bag along with a clear shower curtain, a few plastic knives from Ikea, some small storage containers with lids, and a rolling pin. When itâs time to play, spread the shower curtain on the floor or table. Plop your kids on it, and get to work. (I know youâre tempted to sit down and play with them, but really, youâve got some dishes to unload, right?) As they squish, poke, roll, and cut, they are building all those fine motor skills that eventually lead to writing. A little mess? Worth it!
2. Doctor or Vet Kit (+ a stuffed animal or doll).
Kids are naturally nurturing. They donât much like having an owie of their own. But let them take care of a sick animal or doll, and they’re thrilled! This particular set comes with a puppy and kitten (how cute!), but you could also throw in or substitute a small doll. Additionally, Iâd add a small baby blanket (even a scrap of fabric works!) And if youâre not concerned with keeping things lovely and clean, a box of real adhesive bandages. Hours (or at least many, many minutes) of screen free fun that builds social & emotional skills, imagination, and motor skills.
3: Felt Sets
As you probably already know, I make these cuties in a variety of themes and styles. DIY sets like this Felt Doll Set keep kids busy building, taking apart, and rebuilding to their heartsâ contentâbuilding fine motor and math skills as they do so. Quiet sets like this Construction Set allow kids to use their imagination to set up scenes and tell stories of their own creation. And Song & Story sets like these Three Little Pigs build early literacy skills and creativity as kids re-tell stories and sing songs they already knowâor make up their very own version. Finally, the felt play mat comes with a storage envelope. These are so lightweight and kid friendly, they can be easily transported to any room of the house so you can get to work. While your little ones get to their work!
4. Building Sets
The ultimate in building tools, wooden blocks like these are such an important tool for young children. As your little architect manipulates the blocks, they start gaining important math skills, like cause and effect. (Oopsâit falls over if I make it too tall!) Shape knowledge grows. (Hey! Put these triangles together and they make a square!). Add in some of these gorgeous hand painted peg dolls and youâll see even more creative play skills, similar to those that happen with the doctor kit. Creativity abounds!
5:Â Dance Party!
Thereâs nothing like music and movement activities to get the kids busy (and worn out!) I highly recommend a few kidâs musicians in particular. Their music is fun for kids and most likely wonât make you grit your teeth in agony đ Get a few playlists set up, fill a small tub with dancing scarves or hand kites, and let your kids get their groove on! Theyâll be building gross motor skills as they boogie, as well as early literacy skills as they sing along. And youâll be enjoying your work just a little bit more with music on in the background. Who knew singing about ducks and dinosaurs could be so fun?!
So are you ready to get dinner made with no (or at least very few!) interruptions? Visit my shop to get your screen free collection started!
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