Family + Lifestyle

Independent Playtime & Activities for Toddlers

May 5, 2020

During the month of March, it was recommended for families to start social distancing, so like many families, we went into isolation. This meant staying home 24/7 — no trips to the store, no park or play-dates, and no classes to be attended. Our world — my toddlers’ world — was turned upside down.

To be honest, our days took quite a bit of adjusting to. Although I am a full-time SAHM with two little ones, it was easy for all of us to feel a tad overwhelmed. My children and I were used to having scheduled toddler activities and play-dates. My toddler did not understand why we suddenly could not play with her friends or go places.

My full-time working mom friends were suddenly having to adjust to working from home, while taking care of their toddlers; I can’t even begin to imagine how overwhelming that would be.

No matter what role you have, I hope this post will be helpful to you in gaining ideas on how to keep your toddler happy and busy, so you can get some things done and maybe even five minutes to yourself.

While it took time to adjust to our new routine, we ended up managing to find a new flow. What I found to work best for our family was a block schedule. It allows us to have a routine, but it isn’t rigid. The schedule just helps our day flow. My toddler knows what to expect and is encouraged to have independent play-time throughout the day, while enjoying lots of fun toddler activities.

Let’s talk more about a block schedule. Basically, it means chunks of time in categories. It’s simple enough where I don’t have to overthink it and my toddler grasps the concept. Please note: This exact routine may not work for your child/family (because we’re all different!), so mix it up and cater it to your family.

Our Typical Quarantined Day

Free Play/Mommy Makes Breakfast (Kids Wake Up!)
Breakfast Time & Playtime with Daddy before he goes upstairs to work
Books, Blocks, & Music Time (8:30am)
Snack & Screen-Time (9:30am)
Craft Time/Activity (10am)
Lunch (11:30am)
Free Play/Outdoor Time
Quiet time (1pm – 3pm)
Snack & Screen-Time (3pm)
Activity/Outdoor Time (3:30pm)
Music Class (4pm)
Supper (5pm)
Free Play/Bath (5:30pm – 6:45pm)
Bedtime Routine: clean up toys, potty, brush teeth, read books, and pray. My baby and toddler go to bed at 7pm

Here are the nitty gritty details…

After breakfast and “da-da” goes to work, we have “Books, Blocks & Music Time.” Basically, we gather a few books, music instruments (you can really use anything from kid music toys to a bowl and wooden spoon), and blocks. We do not always do the same thing during this time, but it always involves these toys. On most days, we read a book and sing a song that relates to the book; my nearly one-year-old and three-year-old both love this time. Example: We read “Barnyard Dance” and then sing “BINGO.” Typically, we read three to five books. Afterwards, we build whatever our imagination desires with blocks. The cool thing about blocks is that there are so many different types: wooden letter blocks, Mega Blocks, Lego blocks, etc., so you can easily change it up daily.

You can also change this activity to “Books, Balls, and Blocks” time if you need to burn more physical energy. Playing basketball, throwing balls into bins, playing indoor bowling, etc. are all great options. I encourage you to check out the research behind this specific play.

This activity can easily be turned into a more independent activity too. Set up your toddler with the said items (e.g. books, balls, blocks, instruments) in stations around your living room. Explain to them that it is time to for “x,y,z,” It may take them time to build up playing independently, but that is to be expected.

It’s a controversial subject, but my toddler gets 30+ minutes of screen-time at least twice a day. I use this time to put my other child down for his nap, but my toddler looks forward to her screen-time, which she receives after “Books, Music, and Blocks” time and quiet time. Screen time used to be battle; she always asked for it. Since sticking to this routine, she knows when to expect it. She gets a choice to choose a show or play her tablet (we’re big fans of Khan Academy and Bible for Kids app).

While my toddler is finishing up screen-time, I set up the next activity. Typically, I have an idea of two to three activities to do during this time because, as we all know, toddlers can make activities last for five seconds or thirty minutes. These are activities that I can do with her or set her up a “station” and let her have fun, while I get some tasks done. Activities during this time would be an arts and crafts activity (paint, markers, coloring, glue, stickers, scissors), play-doh, a sensory bin, a preschool learning activity, board game, puzzles, or we go outside.

During free play, my kids gets to play whatever! Let me be completely honest: my house is a mess. Toys are EVERYWHERE, which is “fine, everything is fine” because we have clean up time before we transition to nap-time. It’s important to me that my toddlers learn to be responsible for their things. If you’re toddler struggles with clean up time, try turning on a clean up song or make it into a game to see who can clean up the fastest.

You may be thinking, “But my toddler doesn’t nap.” My oldest toddler rarely naps, so we set boundaries and implemented her nap-time to be “rest time/quiet time.” She knows that she is supposed to stay in her room, preferably in her bed. She can sleep, play quietly, or read books. I can tell a huge change in her demeanor if she does not have this alone time. It’s amazing how a little alone time can allow us to recharge. I know as an adult I benefit greatly from alone time.

Around 4pm, when I need to start supper, my toddlers participate in a free online music class through the Chattanooga Public Library’s Facebook page. The highly interactive class is 30-40 minutes long. They sing, dance, learn sign language, read books, and so much more during this time!