“Mum! Mum! Come and see what I built!”
“Mum… play cars with me!”
“Mum, what can I play?”
“Muuum… pwease pway with me!”
Do you ever have those days when all your kids want is to do something fun with you? All they want is for you to play with them, but you really don’t feel like it.
I remember days like those so well.
Days when I wasn’t feeling well, or when I hadn’t had any sleep, but my kids still needed me, and I still needed to engage them in something so they didn’t fight constantly.
Days when I was so busy, or stretched so thin that just the thought of taking time out to play tea parties made me feel overwhelmed and exhausted, but the guilt of not interacting with my kids threatened to swallow me.
Days when I just needed to get dinner made without the kids tearing the house apart or trying to climb up my leg while I drained the pasta.
Days when the thought of dressing up another Barbie made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.
I could have turned on the TV, or handed over my ipad, and let’s be honest, some days I did just that. But even screen time won’t always save you from a nagging child who just wants you to ‘get up and play with me mummy!’
Over the years I came up with a list of easy ways to play with your kids, even when you don’t feel like it, or don’t have the time, or just don’t want to! A list that totally saved my sanity, and might just save yours!
Easy Ways To Play With Your Kids Even When You Don’t Want To.
These activities and ideas are easy to set up, use basic items, and don’t make much mess. They are ‘open-ended’ which means there is no one ‘correct’ way to play with them, so they work for a variety of age groups, and the kids can use them again and again.
Some activities require more adult interaction than others. Some need you to be nearby to supervise, but you can do that laying down resting or while you do something else. How much supervision is needed will depend on the age of your children and on individual kids personalities, but most of these activities are aimed at 2+ year olds.
Floor Drawing – Roll out a length of paper (the Ikea rolls of paper are perfect for this!) on the floor and dump out the crayons. With the paper on the floor everyone can reach, no one argues over chairs, or crawls onto the table trying to get the green crayon, and I can lay on the couch, or fold the washing near by with only a quick reminder for the toddler not to draw on the floor.
Drawing Prompts – Print off some of our printable drawing prompts, and grab the pencils or markers. These are great for a variety of ages, though little kids may want you to read the writing.
Quick and Easy Small World Play – grab a green rug or towel, some stones or wooden blocks, a couple of twigs or leaves from the garden, and some animal figurines, or dinosaurs, or fairies. Dump it all in the middle of the floor, or on the table, and let the kids do the rest.
Dance – put on some groovy kid-friendly music and dance! This works great if you can dance along while cooking dinner or doing another task, and it can lift your mood too. If you are not up for dancing yourself, these Mini Groov3 dance workouts are great, this ‘Freeze Dance‘ video is also good. You can fond more great Youtube dance and movement channels for kids here, or search ‘just dance kids’ on YouTube and you’ll find lots of great dance videos – the Gummy Bear song is a fav.
Audiobooks and podcasts – Audiobooks and story podcasts are great when you just can’t face reading another story, and there are loads of other great kids podcasts that will keep the kids interested. Libraries often have audiobook borrowing services, or check out our list of great free kids audiobooks, or our lists of great kids podcasts.
Building Challenge – dump out a construction set (try combining two different sets like wooden blocks and magnet blocks or Lego) and use our printable building challenge cards to keep the kids busy creating. You can lie on the couch and shout out a challenge from one of the cards, set your phone timer for 10 minutes, and snooze till they are done!
Go Outside – If the weather is good and you can muster up the energy to find shoes and hats, once you get outside you can lay on a rug on the grass and watch the kids play. Bring out some spoons and plastic bowls if you have a sandpit, or offer a few buckets or containers with a little bit of water in them. Even play dough can be easy outside, because you don’t have to worry about sweeping up the mess!
These are some of our favourite individual fiddly toys (affiliate links):
Kate Sins says
I am having one of those days right now and the kids will not leave me alone. Thank you!
Nathalie Brown says
love it off to share Nx
Rachel Dowling says
This couldn’t have come at a better time. I am feeling lousy today and would like to be able to rest for a while without the children creating havoc around me. I’m going to grab the Ikea paper and crayons right now! Thank-you!!!
Alexandra says
Perfect timing! I am soooo in need of these this week! Feel crap-ola. And Ikea here we come… I needed a reason :)
Rachael says
Ooooh I’ve got one I’ve got one, agree to play hairdressers or day spa. Lie on the floor and let your kids do your hair, or walk on your back or rub your feet ;)
Kelly says
This is great Kate. That rhymes and everything.
daisy says
thank you, i appreciate these ideas and opinions immensely!
Brenda says
They’re great ideas – my fav is to go outdoor or dance – the smile on my little boys face is pure joy when I put our fav CD on.
Lauren Baber says
Must imprint in brain for my mummy fail days – love these ideas – thanks!
Leslie L says
One of my favorite games to play when I’m not feeling great is Doctor! I get to be the patient with all sorts of broken bones, fevers, chills etc…who has to lie very still on the couch and get better! I think they love the role reversal- they get to take care of mommy!
Lauren says
I do this too!!
Angela says
Great ideas!
I especially like the big roll of paper, would have never thought of that. I bet it would get my kids to take some and sit down to draw. Very cool!
Marsha says
I have one child so I’m her full-time playmate. I often sit there and let her draw all over my back with texters! Keeps her busy for quite a while.
Kate says
Fabulous suggestions thanks Kate! Love the audio book idea. :D
The Reading Momster says
Water play! I like to fill a tub with water and bubbles – and they bothe leave me alone :)
Yasmina says
Love your ideas. My preschooler (5years old ) is quite demanding but these are great ideas and will try this Wednesday!! Thank you!!! Also what is great for this age is the Lego classic as they have some easy manual to follow that they can do on their own.
By the way love what you do!!!
katepickle says
Yes! This new(ish) basic Lego sets are great for that age group aren’t they. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
Laura Cooper says
We really enjoyed dancing the gummy gummy gummy gummybear and building challenge. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas.
Erika @ www.NewParentProject.com says
First-time reader here! I love your blog and I think this post is awesome! My husband and I are expecting our first child (a boy) next month. I think this is great advice, and I truly appreciate you sharing this. I look forward to following your blog and your journey! :)
Rachel Lee says
So creative. Thank so much for these ideas.
I have 3 kids too, and I usually save money by making DIY toys with them.
Kat says
I put a towel on the couch and snooze as my daughter (6) paints my face… it gets me about an hour of quiet time, and it increases her fine motor skills & creativity.