Playtime Pantry

The 4pm slump, 4-year-olds

Short, lively, and nothing that takes long to set up. 31 ideas
  • Action Songs: the setup, laid out

    Burn energy

    Action Songs

    3–15 min 6 mo–5 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Copy Me: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Copy Me

    3–12 min 10 mo–4 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Animal Races: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Animal Races

    5–15 min 2–6 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Color Hunt: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Color Hunt

    5–15 min 20 mo–6 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Freeze Dance: the setup, laid out

    Burn energy

    Freeze Dance

    5–15 min 18 mo–9 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Sock Basketball: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Sock Basketball

    5–20 min 2–10 yrs Low mess
    • a laundry basket or bucket
    • five or six pairs of socks
  • Tape Long Jump: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Tape Long Jump

    5–15 min 2–6 yrs Low mess
    • painter's tape
  • Laundry Basket Push: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Laundry Basket Push

    10–20 min 18 mo–4 yrs Low mess
    • a laundry basket
    • stuffed animals
  • Stuffy Toss: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Stuffy Toss

    10–25 min 15 mo–6 yrs Low mess
    • stuffed animals
    • a chair or cushion to land them on
  • Tape Balance Beam: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Tape Balance Beam

    10–20 min 2–5 yrs Low mess
    • painter's tape
  • Tower Challenge: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Tower Challenge

    10–35 min 2–10 yrs Low mess
    • blocks or bricks
  • Balloon Tennis: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Balloon Tennis

    10–20 min 3–8 yrs Low mess
    • a balloon
    • paper plates
    • wooden spoons for handles
  • Pillow Path: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Pillow Path

    10–20 min 18 mo–5 yrs Low mess
    • pillows or couch cushions

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