It’s no secret that working from home can be a challenge, especially when you have young children. In addition to trying to get your work done, you also have to keep your kids entertained. If you’re struggling to do that, never fear! We’ve got 10 great ideas to help you out.
However, before you implement any of them, here are some tips to make things work.
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
Tips to Keep Your Kids Entertained While You’re Working From Home
Try to set up a designated area in your home that’s just for your kids to play in. This will help them stay focused and less likely to wander off and start causing trouble. If you don’t have an extra room that you can use, try setting up a screen or some other type of barrier to create a physical boundary between your work area and their play area.
Choose activities that won’t disrupt your workflow too much. For example, if you’re on a video call, it might not be a good idea to have your kids play with loud toys nearby.
Set a schedule so that your kids know when they can ask you to play with them and when you can’t do it in any way. This will help them understand that even though you’re home, you’re still working.
Give them a specific task to do each day. For example, Monday could be a “tidy up day” where they have to clean up their toys before they can start playing with new ones. Tuesday could be a “creative day” where they have to make something new out of old materials.
And now, onto the play ideas!
Play Ideas to Keep Your Kids Entertained While You’re Working From Home
Below are 10 play ideas to help keep your kids entertained while you are working at home.
Puzzles & Lego
Puzzles and Lego are great for kids of all ages and can keep them occupied for hours. If you have younger kids, get them a simple puzzle with large pieces. For older kids, consider getting a more challenging picture with multiple small parts.
Legos are also a great option because they can be used over and over again. They are also a great way to encourage kids to use their imagination and be creative. Plus, there are multiple video lessons on Lego’s YouTube channel on building various stuff. If you have several kids, you can even turn it into a competition to see who can build the tallest structure or the most interesting creation.
Drawing & Painting
Another great option is giving your kids some art supplies and letting them go bananas with them. This could include coloring books, blank paper, crayons, markers, etc. You can also set up an easel or art desk if you have the space.
If you want to take things a step further, you could give them a specific topic or challenge to work on. For example, you could ask them to draw a picture of their favorite animal or make a collage of their favorite colors. You could also turn it into a game by hiding objects around the house and having them draw or paint what they find.
Play-Doh
Sculpting with Play-Doh is another great way to hold kids attention. If you don’t have any Play-Doh at home, you could also use modeling clay or even make your own.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to Play-Doh. You could give your kids a specific challenge, such as making an animal or a building. Or you could let them use their imagination and see what they come up with. Either way, they’re sure to have fun!
Crafting
Crafting will work great for older kids, as they know how to use scissors, staplers, and glue without cutting, stapling, or gluing themselves. Younger kids will need some help, but it can still be done. There are all sorts of easy crafts that both younger and older kids will enjoy: from easy sew and no-sew projects to origami.
If you have several kids at home, it might be best to set up a little crafting station in one area of the house so that they can all craft together. This way, you can work nearby (or in the same room) and still keep an eye on them. And, if they make a mess, it will be contained to one area! Win-win.
Playing pretend
The best way to have your work done and spend time with your kid is to “hire them as an intern.” Get them a desk, stationery, and a to-do list for the day. They can pretend they use their fake laptop, doodle in a notebook or even do their homework. This way, you get to maintain your work schedule, and they get to feel like a big kid!
Film-making
This one takes a bit of preparing, but can be so worth it in the end. Write a script with your child, assign roles, and get filming. They can be the star, the director, or even the cameraman. This is a great way to spend an afternoon, and you might be surprised at their creativity. If they are old enough, they can even do the editing themselves if you have a spare computer. The Mac’s native solution is simple enough for kids to use, plus, you can alternatively install iMovie for PC, which is also pretty user-friendly.
Playing outdoors
If you have a backyard, set up a water table or sprinkler for them to run through. Or, if you live near a park, send them on a nature scavenger hunt! They can look for things like leaves, sticks, flowers, and rocks. This is a great way to get them moving and exploring. Just make sure to apply sunscreen and insect repellent before they go out.
Learning
There are tons of great educational apps and websites that can help keep kids entertained while also helping them learn new things. Look for things that are age-appropriate – some great options include the Starfall website for younger kids and the BrainPOP for older kids.
Practice being a ninja
The main thing about ninjas is that they are not supposed to be seen or heard. This can be a great game to play when you are trying to focus. Set up some obstacles in your living room or backyard and see if they can make it through without being seen or heard. The quietest ninja wins!
Unstructured time
If your kids are old enough, you can also give them some time without any schedule and leave them to their own devices. This could look like setting up a fort in the living room or playing with their favorite toys. Just make sure to check on them periodically to make sure they’re staying safe.
Conclusion
These days, more and more people are working from home. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering how to balance between completing your job tasks and taking care of your kids. By setting ground rules, creating a daily schedule, and planning some fun activities for them to do independently, you’ll be well on your way to managing both.
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection