30 Ideas to Keep Your Littles Occupied for Hours
So, you’ve been inside for a few days now and you’re already at a complete loss of things to do with your little ones. Normally, you’d take them to Tig & Peach but that’s not an option today. Never fear, we’re still here! We’re excited to start Tig & Peach news today. Here we’ll share ideas, noteworthy news and all things peachy because we all need a bright spot in our day.
Decorate a box
I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been ordering almost anything I can online lately to avoid going out in the crowds. So we’ve gota lot of boxes around! This simple activity has been a life-saver for our family many, many times. If your littles are under three, stick ‘em right inside the box with crayons and let them have at it. Older than 3? Bring out the paints, markers, construction paper and glue sticks! With a little imagination that box will be a castle, rocket ship, boat or car in no time.
Make a wall obstacle course
You’ll need tape, pom poms, construction paper and empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls for this one. (But if you’ve only got paper it will still work!) Fold the edges of two sides of your construction paper to make a tunnel, and tape it to the wall. Using a mixture of tunnels and paper towel rolls to create an obstacle course on the wall for your pom poms to fall down. The bigger the better! (We recommend using painters tape to keep your walls fresh.)
Paint in the bathroom
If you don’t have a great spot to make a mess indoors, tape a piece of large paper to your bathroom shower wall with painters tape and keep the mess contained!
Do the dishes
Take playing “house” up a notch! Sometimes I throw non-breakable dishes into the sink with my daughter, a hand towel, and lots of bubbles. She loves to help clean, and it can double as a bath. It’s easier to get her clean when she’s having fun!
Bake cookies
This is a recipe that has been on our list for quite some time. There is no time like the present!
Homemade play dough
Here is a recipe I just found in my family cookbook! Submitted by my Aunt Pat who is a special needs teacher in Minnesota.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
A few drops of food coloring if desired.
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat. Stir until thick (about 4 minutes). Knead while still warm. Store in sealed plastic bags or containers.
Homemade Silly Puddy
Another submission by Aunt Pat.
1 cup Elmer’s school glue (must be school glue)
3/4 cup liquid laundry starch
1 teaspoon colored tempera paint (optional)
Mix glue and starch. If it’s too runny add more glue. If it's too sticky add more starch. Keep in a covered container. Kids love this!
Homemade non-toxic slime
Because when in doubt, make slime.
1 cup of glue (clear or white)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Borax
1 popsicle stick
Glitter or a few drops of food coloring depending on your preference
Place glue and warm water in two separate bowls. Add Borax to warm water and stir. Add glitter or food coloring to water and borax mixture and stir. Use your popsicle stick to slowly mix glue and water mixture together. Stir until everything is well combined. Store in a plastic bag.Dance party
Because life is stressful right now, and after being cooped up in the house sometimes you just need to dance it out!
FaceTime play dates
Just because everyone is spending a lot of time at home doesn’t mean you can’t be social! FaceTime has changed lives for the better, use it for virtual play dates!
Make a crown
This is easy! Fold a piece of paper in half long ways. Cut any shape you’d like at the top making triangles or waves and then have the kids color. When they’ve completed their crowns, tape one side together and fit it to their head before taping the other side.
Make a fort
This is super-fun to do, even with just a few chairs and blankets. Read books, have some quiet time, take stuffed animals in, play games ... all from the comfort of your new home. Bonus: Light it up with holiday lights to add an extra special touch! (Just be sure the chairs are sturdy enough that they won’t tip over.)
Make paper airplanes
Here are step-by-step instructions for four different models!
Shoot baskets
It’s as simple as a few crumpled up pieces of paper and a laundry basket! Using a broomstick or a piece of tape, draw a line on the floor and see who can make the most baskets from behind the line (or forget the line altogether).
Indoor bowling
Using a ball of any kind and plastic cups or bottles, you can easily create your own game of bowling
Scavenger hunt
Cut out shapes using construction paper (I used hearts) and hide them around the house. (Be sure to keep count of how many you hid!) Then, have your kiddo run around and find them all. At the end, of course, there is a prize. Ours was a piece of chocolate. You can also incorporate the hot/cold game while playing!
Sock puppets
Our laundry machine always seems to be eating socks. If you’ve got any loose socks around, turn them into puppets with extra buttons and a needle and thread you might have lying around the house. Even better if they’re white, because you can simply draw on them with markers!
Create a sensory bin
Just like we have at Tig & Peach! You can use a plastic bin or shoe box and add hidden objects into rice or oats for littles to find.
Write a story
Take a few pieces of paper, fold them in half then put a couple of staples down the middle and—viola!—you have a book for your little artist to start creating in.
Write a letter
Been meaning to write to a family member or a friend? Now is the time to make a super special card for that special someone.
Have a tea party
For little girls (and boys) this is an occasion to get dressed up for! Bring your princess crowns and super hero capes. Set up a teapot with water, juice, milk, whatever and have a fancy tea party!
Balloon tennis
Have a balloon and a racket lying around the house? Then you’ve got an easy game to practice hand/eye coordination!
Picnic in the yard
Lay out a blanket in the yard, bring a few toys out and make a meal! Just because we’ve got to stay home, doesn’t mean we can’t go out to eat.
Play I spy
I spy with my little eye…an oldie but a goodie! You can play it anywhere, anytime and it's always fun!
Take a walk or hike
Whether it's around the neighborhood or in the woods, get outside (but please practice social distancing)! Here are a few easy hikes with kids in our area:
Bronx River Pathway: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/bronx-river-pathway--2?u=i
Nature Study Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/nature-study-trail?u=i
Saxon Woods North Loop via White Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/saxon-woods-north-loop-via-white-trail?u=i
Note: I love the All Trails app. You can choose your level of difficulty in the app. It will also tell you which trails are kid friendly, stroller friendly and which you can bring your dogs on, too! Orchard Beach has some nice trails, but I’ve heard that they are currently closed.
Feelings game
Take turns making faces and guessing which emotion you are. Sad, mad, happy, frustrated, excited. It is definitely entertaining and sometimes Instagram-worthy!
Find yoga online
There are so many great resources right here in Southern Westchester to use. Here are a couple of small businesses currently offering online yoga.
Prana Prenatal Yoga: https://www.pranaprenatalyoga.com
Tovami Yoga: https://www.tovamiyoga.com
Hide and Seek
This game always gives me the giggles because “hiding” is not so easy for most young children. You hear giggling, or “Im here!” within the first minute most of the time but its a great game to practice counting and have some fun!
Board Games
CandyLand and Twister are a few of our favs!
Puzzles
Got any? In my house this is a game that is often overlooked. Now is the perfect time to break one out!
We hope this was helpful and gave you some ideas to add to your list while we’re all stuck at home. We’d love to see them in action so please share on Facebook and Instagram and tag us @tigandpeach!
Also, please stay tuned! We’ve reached out to our instructors to think of more special crafts and recipes you can do at home which we’ll be posting daily!
If you’ve got anything to add or share to our list, please let us know! We’d love to keep this going and share your ideas!