In my role as a mother, discovering the area of quiet time activities with my kids has become a valued part of our daily routine. In this blog, we’ll look into the area of quiet time activities for kids, where moments of learning effortlessly combine with fun.
Quiet time may seem like a break from the rush, but it’s an opportunity for us to explore various activities that spark creativity and foster connection.
From our cozy reading space, decorated with soft pillows and a small bookshelf, to the colorful world of drawing 📏 and coloring, these shared experiences weave a web of precious family moments.
Fascinating Quiet Time Activities for Kids
Puzzles🧩 , building blocks, and playing with playdough bring mini-adventures into our living room. It is about our shared creative journeys, not just about puzzle pieces fitting together.
There are many different ways for us to relax and connect, like the origami station, sticker art area, watercolor painting area, and music nook. Every activity gives our quiet time a special touch and creates creative and significant moments in our home.
Reading a book
Firstly, I’ve established a cozy reading spot in a corner of our home. It’s decorated using soft pillows, a warm blanket, and a small bookshelf filled with age-appropriate books.
To make the selection of books 📚 engaging, I involve my kids in choosing what we read. Whether on a trip to the library or browsing our bookshelf, picking out stories becomes a shared experience.
After settling in our reading nook, we enter the world of literature. For younger children, I engage them by asking questions about the pictures and encouraging them to articulate their thoughts and predictions.
Pro-tip:
When making a cozy reading nook for your kids, involve them in choosing the books. Let them pick their favorites or explore new ones together. For younger kids, ask about the pictures in the books and encourage them to talk about what they think will happen next.
Drawing or coloring
To start, I ensure we have a dedicated quiet space with a cozy setup of blankets and cushions. This creates a comfortable area where they can express themselves.
I provide them with a variety of coloring books, sketch pads, and an assortment of colored pencils, crayons 🖍️, and markers.
A small table, covered with a wipeable tablecloth, serves as our canvas. This simple setup not only minimizes the mess but also makes it easy to begin drawing when we are ready.
I make sure to have a variety of coloring supplies readily available. Crayons, colored pencils, markers, and even watercolor paints are neatly organized in containers on the table.
Pro-tip:
Use a small table covered with an easy-to-clean cloth for drawing. Have a mix of coloring books, sketch pads, and coloring supplies like crayons, colored pencils, markers, and watercolor paints. Keep everything organized in containers on the table for easy access.
Puzzles
To start our puzzle 🧩 adventure, I usually gather a variety of puzzles suitable for different ages and difficulty levels. I often let the kids take turns choosing, making it a collective choice that keeps everyone happy.
Once we have our puzzle of the day, we clear a space, ensuring there’s enough room to work together. We pour out the puzzle pieces, and the room is filled with the delightful sound of tiny cardboard shapes tumbling onto the table.
I encourage the children to start by sorting the pieces. We create piles based on edge pieces, colors 🖍️, or specific patterns, depending on the puzzle.
Building with blocks
I gather several blocks – wooden ones, plastic ones, and even foam blocks. Having a mix allows for more variety in their construction. I place them in a large container or a basket 🧺 that’s easily accessible.
Before starting, I sometimes join in for a brief explanation and demonstration. I show them how to stack blocks to build towers, create bridges, or even make simple shapes.
Once they’re all set up, they can build anything they fancy, from tall castles to vibrant cities or even a spaceship destined for imaginary planets.
Pro-tip:
I sometimes introduce a theme or challenge. For instance, I might suggest they build something related to nature, like a zoo or a forest. This adds an extra layer of engagement and prompts them to think creatively within a particular setting.
Playing with playdough
To start, I gather the necessary materials: playdough in various colors, small rolling pins, cookie cutters, and any other shaping tools we may have on hand. Creating a specific playdough station is also a great way to contain the mess and encourage a sense of focus.
I usually use a plastic tablecloth or an old bedsheet to protect surfaces. Once everything is set up, I invite my kids to join me at the playdough station.
The vibrant colors immediately capture their attention, and the soft texture of the playdough provides a physical experience that they find appealing.
My kids often play with their imaginations, creating miniature worlds with creatures, buildings, and landscapes. This not only enhances their creativity but also allows them to develop storytelling skills as they weave narratives around their playdough masterpieces.
Listening to calming music
To begin, I’ve chosen a cozy corner in our living room as our “musical area.” This space is filled with soft cushions, blankets, and a collection of our favorite stuffed animals 🧸.
The goal is to create an inviting atmosphere where my kids feel comfortable and can absorb themselves in the peaceful tunes. I’ve created a playlist of soothing and age-appropriate music🎵 that appeals to my children’s tastes.
It includes gentle instrumentals, nature sounds, and some lullabies. We often start our quiet time by selecting a few tracks together, allowing the kids to have a say in the musical journey we’re about to embark on.
Pro-tip:
To make the experience even more engaging, we sometimes use simple musical instruments like chimes, bells, or a small xylophone.
The kids enjoy creating soft sounds that blend into the calming music. It becomes a mini music-making session, adding an active element to our quiet time.
Creating a sensory bin
To begin, I gather a few basic materials that are easily found around the house. A large plastic container with a lid serves as the perfect base for the sensory bin.
I chose a size that allows enough space for exploration but is also manageable for little hands. The lid comes in handy for easy storage when the sensory bin is not in use. Next, I collect various sensory materials.
Rice or dried beans are fun options for the base, providing a soothing texture and allowing for easy burying of treasures. I’ve found that using colored rice adds an extra element of visual appeal and is surprisingly simple to make.
Just mix white rice with a few drops of food coloring in a sealed bag and let the kids shake it up until the color is evenly distributed. Now comes the fun part—selecting items to hide within the sensory bin.
I involve the kids in this process, encouraging them to choose toys🧸, small objects, or even letter and number cards.
Sticker art
To start, I gathered a variety of stickers from different themes and designs. We have everything from animal stickers to sparkly stars and colorful shapes.
Having a diverse collection adds an extra layer of fun to the activity, allowing my kids to choose stickers that match their interests on that particular day.
Next, I set up a specific sticker art space. This could be a small table with a placemat or even just a cleared section of the kitchen counter.
Creating a specific area for the activity helps my kids focus and get into an artistic mindset. I provide each child with a piece of sturdy paper or a small sketchbook.
The choice of paper 📄 is essential, as it allows the stickers to adhere well without tearing the surface. Sometimes, we even use colored construction paper to add punch to their creations.
Pro-tip:
When doing sticker art with your kids, make it extra fun by organizing a sticker scavenger hunt! Hide the stickers around the house and let your little ones discover them one by one.
Painting with watercolors
First and foremost, I designate a specific area for our painting activities. This helps contain the potential mess and creates a dedicated space for creativity.
I spread an old tablecloth or some newspapers on the table to protect it from any accidental spills or splatters.
Next, I gather all the necessary materials. I make sure to have a set of watercolor paints, high-quality brushes in different sizes, a cup of water for each child, and thick watercolor paper.
I prefer using watercolor paper 📄 because it can handle the water without warping, providing a better canvas for the little artists.
As we begin painting, I often suggest different techniques to spark their imagination. We explore the magic of blending colors, creating gradients, and experimenting with water-to-paint ratios.
I encourage them to use broad strokes, delicate washes, or even try the undefined by using crayons before applying watercolors.
Doing a jigsaw puzzle
Firstly, I ensure we have a variety of jigsaw puzzles🧩 suitable for their age and skill levels. Every child can then find a puzzle that they find both difficult and doable.
We have a selection of puzzles with various themes, from beloved cartoon characters to animals and the natural world. Before starting, I gather the kids around and let them choose a puzzle.
We talk about the picture on the box, discussing the colors and shapes they might encounter. This not only sparks excitement but also helps them mentally prepare for the puzzle-solving challenge.
Pro-tip:
To make it more than just a solo activity, we occasionally turn puzzle time into a little family challenge.
We set a timer and see how quickly we can complete a puzzle together. This adds an element of friendly competition, making it a fun and interactive experience.
Playing board games
Before we dive into the game, I make sure to choose age-appropriate games that match the focus and skill level of each child. This ensures that everyone can actively participate in and enjoy the experience.
Classics like “Candy Land” or “Chutes and Ladders” work well for younger kids. To keep things interesting, I occasionally introduce variations or house rules to our games. This adds a creative twist and keeps the experience fresh.
Snacks are an essential part of our board game sessions. I prepare a simple variety of finger foods like cut fruits 🍎, crackers, and cheese.
Having a designated snack time within the game helps break up the gameplay and provides a moment for everyone to relax and recharge.
Practicing origami
To embark on our origami journey, I usually gather a few essential supplies: square sheets of colored paper, a well-lit and comfortable workspace, and a sense of desire.
I keep an assortment of origami paper with different colors and patterns to add an extra layer of excitement to the experience. First, I introduce my kids to the art of origami by starting with simple designs.
We might begin with the classic paper crane, a symbol of peace and good fortune. I find that starting with something familiar and meaningful captures their interest. As we fold the paper, I explain each step in a relaxed manner, ensuring they understand the technique without feeling confused.
In progress, I introduce new designs gradually. From animals like frogs🐸 and butterflies to more complex shapes like stars and boats, each origami piece carries its charm.
I often let my kids choose which design they want to try next, fostering a sense of individuality in their creative discovery.
Making paper airplanes
First, get some paper, colored or plain—whatever your child likes. Use old newspapers or recycled paper to be kind to the earth. Get crayons, markers, or colored pencils for adding colors.
Set up a special crafting spot with good lighting, like our dining table turning into an art studio. Arrange everything neatly for easy access.
Now, fold the paper: fold it in half, then unfold it. Next, fold the top corners down to meet in the middle, making a triangle at the top. Fold that triangle down to meet the bottom edge, and you’ve got a classic paper airplane shape.
Give the children markers or crayons🖍️. They can add patterns, draw windows, or make airline logos.
Conclusion
These easy activities have improved our little home corner for my kids and me. Reading together in our cozy spot, drawing and coloring with lots of colors, solving puzzles, building with blocks, and discovering playdough worlds—these moments fill our days with joy and creativity.
We listen to calming music, dive into sensory bins, make sticker art, paint with watercolors, and have fun with jigsaw puzzles, board games, origami, and paper airplanes. It’s interesting how these easy ideas create special times for us.
Share your thoughts, ideas, or even your own favorite quiet time activities in the comments below. 🌸
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)