Playtime Pantry

Stay busy and calm

Quiet, absorbing play for winding down. 100 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

  • Peekaboo: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Peekaboo

    3–10 min 4 mo–2 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

  • Sticker Rescue: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Sticker Rescue

    5–15 min 15 mo–4 yrs Low mess
    • stickers
  • Where Did It Go?: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Where Did It Go?

    5–15 min 7 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • two or three cups
    • a small toy
  • Who Is That?: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Who Is That?

    5–15 min 4 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • a mirror
  • What Changed?: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    What Changed?

    5–15 min 3–10 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Scarf Pull-Through: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Scarf Pull-Through

    5–20 min 8 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • a cardboard tube or container
    • scarves or fabric strips
  • Endless Pulling Box: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Endless Pulling Box

    5–20 min 7 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • a box or tub with a small opening
    • scarves or fabric strips
  • Tummy-Time Squish Bag: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Tummy-Time Squish Bag

    5–15 min 3–12 months Low mess
    • a gallon zip-top bag
    • clear hair gel
    • duct tape or strong tape
  • Walking Water: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Walking Water

    5–20 min 4–11 yrs Low mess
    • six clear cups
    • food coloring
    • paper towels or coffee filters
    • water
  • 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
  • Animal Line-Up: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Animal Line-Up

    10–20 min 18 mo–4 yrs Low mess
    • painter's tape
    • toy animals or cars
  • Bath Cups: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Bath Cups

    10–25 min 8 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • a shallow bath
    • a few cups
  • Cloud Watching: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Cloud Watching

    10–30 min 3–12 yrs Low mess

    Nothing to gather

  • Muffin Tin Drop: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Muffin Tin Drop

    10–25 min 12 mo–3 yrs Low mess
    • a muffin tin or ice tray
    • large objects to drop in
  • Muffin Tin Pasta Sort: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Muffin Tin Pasta Sort

    10–20 min 18 mo–4 yrs Low mess
    • a muffin tin
    • three pasta shapes, mixed

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