As a parent you deserve time to exist without worrying about or entertaining your children. I’m currently at the tail-end of a 2 week school break and I’ve realized my children have gotten out of the habit of entertaining themselves. I believe in better late than never, so I’m going back to my old schedules, resources and guidelines I set for my family during summers and our homeschool days.
Besides having shelves set up with specific educational activities (that the kids consider fun), here are the activities I typically encourage for independent time for my children.
Toddler:
inside: everything listed above +: puzzles, blocks, meal prep: egg slicers, veggie peeling, veggie chopping (with kid-safe knives), window/mirror/wall washing, folding/sorting, flower arranging/plant care, snacking/drinking, braiding, sewing/threading, hair care, dress up, hula hoops
outside: sand/water table or sandbox, with beach toys, bubbles, swings/climbing/playground equipment, ride on toys, chalk art, painting
Elementary:
inside: everything list above +: modeling clay, balloons, race tracks/vehicles, woodworking/tools, finger knitting/fiber crafts, collage making, painting/coloring/drawing, musical instrument play/practice, snack making/meal prep, card games, board games/chess, cat’s cradle, matching games, mad libs, dot-to-dot games, Rube Goldberg machines/chain reactions, fort making, origami, various types of craft projects, chores
outside: skating, biking, etc…sports, chalk art, painting, gardening, chores
Middle School: all the things listed above +: musical instruments, journaling prompts, baking/cooking, gardening, meal prep, model building kits, fiber arts, pet care, ironing, decorating, puzzles, chess/card games, board games, art, listening to music, exercise/yoga/meditation cards, mad libs, crossword puzzles, sudoku, reading, bike riding, etc.
High School: all the things listed above + :errand running, extra chores to earn money, go shopping, visiting friends/family, visiting nature trails, writing essays/poems etc.
Being prepared for the weekends, and the upcoming school breaks will be very beneficial for your and your children’s mental health and likely will help your home stay tidier.
Do you have any other tips or activities you encourage your children to do during their independent time? Please share!
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