1. Scavenger hunt – take some pics of things around the house (very far apart and tiny / hidden so they have to spend a lot of time looking!) If they’re little they can show you after they find each thing, older kids can do the whole thing and bring it to you at the end for a prize.
2. Cutting lines / puzzles. Draw some designs on paper for them to cut out. If you make them interlocking pieces, they can play a matching game after by missing them up and seeing how fast they can put them all back together.
3. Tracing lines. Draw or print out designs and invite them to go over with paint, marker or crayon. For older kids glue and glitter.
4. Busy boards – you can find these on Etsy, just a bunch of buttoning zipping tying practice.
5. Water / materials transfer. Give them containers of various sizes, or a bowl and ice cube tray, and asking them to move the water or (non-chokable) items from the bigger to smaller using spoons, tongs, or squeeze droppers.
6. Put down masking tape in zigzag lines and create a path through the house for them to follow. Can they do it hopping on one foot? Walking backward? Slithering?
7. Paint in a bag. Put a few colors in a ziplock, tape the top with duct tape, and let them squish and mix them.
8. Playdough plus: pine cones, dried flowers, fresh herbs, blocks, rocks, sand, safety scissors, washable markers
9. Spread foam shaving cream on the table and use your finger to draw a few designs. You can also give them a paintbrush to draw if they don’t like the sensation.
10. Finger paint in the bathtub
Your turn! What are your favorite ways to keep little ones occupied while you conquer the world from your laptop?
