Playtime Pantry

Before bed, 5-year-olds

Wind-down play with no mess to clean up after. 17 ideas
  • I Spy: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    I Spy

    3–20 min 3–10 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Would You Rather: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Would You Rather

    3–20 min 3–12 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Twenty Questions: the setup, laid out

    Stay busy and calm

    Twenty Questions

    5–20 min 4–12 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Animal Yoga: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Animal Yoga

    5–20 min 2–9 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • What Changed?: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    What Changed?

    5–15 min 3–10 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Cotton Ball Transfer: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Cotton Ball Transfer

    10–20 min 2–5 yrs Low mess
    • cotton balls
    • kitchen tongs
    • two bowls
  • Shadow Zoo: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Shadow Zoo

    10–20 min 2–9 yrs Low mess
    • a flashlight
  • Paper Plate Faces: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Paper Plate Faces

    15–30 min 3–8 yrs Low mess
    • paper plates or paper
    • something to draw with
  • Copy My Build: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Copy My Build

    10–30 min 2–9 yrs Low mess
    • building bricksto buy
  • Teddy's Check-Up: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Teddy's Check-Up

    10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess
    • a toy doctor kitto buy
    • a stuffed animal or doll
  • All Aboard Passengers: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    All Aboard Passengers

    10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess
    • a train set with trackto buy
    • small people or animal figuresto buy
  • Magnetic Tile Garage: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Magnetic Tile Garage

    15–45 min 3–7 yrs Low mess
    • magnetic tilesto buy
    • toy carsto buy
  • Animal Hospital: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Animal Hospital

    15–40 min 2–7 yrs Low mess
    • a toy doctor kitto buy
    • stuffed animals or toy animals
    • painter's tape for bandages
  • Block Road City: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Block Road City

    15–45 min 2–7 yrs Low mess
    • wooden blocksto buy
    • toy carsto buy
  • Stuffed Animal Picnic: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Stuffed Animal Picnic

    15–40 min 18 mo–5 yrs Low mess
    • play food or a tea setto buy
    • stuffed animals