On difficult parenting days, it’s easy to feel alone and isolated. However, keep in mind that you’re far from the only one going through it. There are 43.5 million mothers in the US alone, so you have a lot of silent support.
Still, actual silence is nice every once in a while so you can get some R&R. Read on to learn some quiet activities for kids that will free up your time so you can close your eyes and relax.
Quiet Reading Time
There are lots of great reasons to inspire a love of reading in your child. Those who read from a young age have faster and more effective neurological development. They also are more likely to grow into creative, critical thinking, and open-minded adults.
Give your child a novel that fits their age range. Younger kids will love the Captain Underpants and Magic Tree House books. Older children will love series like Percy Jackson and Magisterium.
Get them started loving stories early and they’ll have a lifelong passion for the written word.
Coloring Books and Pages
If you’re looking to give your kids a quiet creative outlet, coloring books are always a good choice. If you don’t want to get a full activity book, you can also print baby dinosaur coloring pages on your own and give them to your child.
Encourage them to be creative with the colors they use. Tell them to color quietly until they’re finished (this will give you the silence that you crave).
Afterward, though, be sure to talk to them about what they did and why they chose to color that way. This will help you get to know your child and the way that they think better!
Puzzles and Blocks
If you want to stimulate your child’s critical thinking skills, puzzles are a great idea. This quiet activity isn’t just fun but also promotes problem solving and putting parts of a whole together.
Blocks and legos are also awesome because they let your child get creative. They can build a lot of different things from buildings to animals. Encourage them to try creating new things and see what they like. They’ll be more likely to have fun if you encourage them to think creatively as well as critically.
Craft Kits
Another awesome active and creative activity that kids can do on their own are craft sets. Perler beads are a classic for a reason- kids can put colored beads into literally any shape that they want. All you’ll need to do is iron it down for them (after your quiet time) and make it into an ornament or keychain.
You can also get craft kits that encourage painting by number or making slime or super balls. The goal is to make your child feel accomplished because they made something rewarding.
More Quiet Activities for Kids
Now that you know some quiet activities for kids that will let you breathe, it’s time to learn more. Check out the ‘family’ tab on our home page for some ideas on how to keep your quiet home happy and healthy.
Here, you’ll get some ideas for fun activities that both you and your child will enjoy. Start browsing and find some ways to keep your child occupied so you can rest!
Very simple and useful content.
Thanks for this list. A few other favorites: Dot to Dot books, Seek and Find books, Make-it kits like Marble Runs and Circuit or science kits. Of course, LEGOs are our favorite!