Everyone needs a break. How do you convince your kids of that? Try these 100 quiet time activities for kids.
The Importance of Quiet Time
Quiet time is important for kids.
Children expend enormous amounts of energy: physical, mental, and emotional.
They need time to be alone and recharge.
While TV and electronic games are appealing, the best quiet time activities don’t involve screens.
Try some of these 100 quiet activities for kids.
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100 Quiet Time Activities Kids Find Engaging
Some of these quiet time activities for kids are classics. Others may surprise you!
Reading a Book
This is a time-tested quiet time activity. It works exceptionally well if your child has a cozy reading nook.
If your child isn’t much of a reader (yet), he can enjoy picture books.
If traditional reading isn’t appealing to your child, try ear reading.
Do you need book ideas? We have lists of books for every month. Try these books for June, July, and August.
Coloring
Coloring is calming; even adults do it during quiet time!
You can find tons of free coloring pages for kids at ColoringPagesAndMore.com. (You can even find adult coloring pages here, too!)
Drawing
Drawing is relaxing and creative. You can make it more appealing if you have a particular set of drawing supplies for quiet time.
This Crayola kit has all the supplies inside a lap desk.
You can always give your child a drawing prompt to get started.
Writing in a Journal
Not only is it a creative activity, journaling is emotionally and educationally beneficial.
Read more about it in Journaling for Kids.
Puzzle-Solving
Puzzles are perfect for logic and reasoning skills.
You can do mazes, crossword puzzles, word searches, or coding activities.
Building with Blocks
One of the best quiet-time toys is a set of blocks.
You can go with a Classic Lego set, wooden blocks, foam blocks, or giant cardboard blocks.
Playing with Clay
You can make anything you want with a slab of clay.
Since clay is firmer than playdough, it strengthens the muscles needed for fine motor skills.
Creating a Scrapbook
You supply the photos and scrapbooking supplies. Your child does the rest.
Origami
Although origami can be complex, these simple designs for kids are a great place to start.
Listening to Music
Music does not have to be in the background. It is a form of entertainment all its own.
Check out this teacher-approved playlist filled with fun songs.
Watching a Documentary
Documentaries are informative and inspiring. They can be an excellent way to spend some quiet time.
A word of caution: Check out the review of the documentary on Common Sense Media before you watch it.
The reviews warn you of potential content “hot spots” so you can make the right choice for your child.
Playing with Sensory Bins
Young children love playing with sensory bins and exploring tactile sensations.
You can fill a sensory bin with lots of different materials. Check out this list of 50+ things to put in a sensory bin.
Doing a Science Experiment
You can provide a science kit for your child to complete during quiet time or give him supplies to design his own experiment.
Check out these 15 science experiments for preschoolers to get you started.
Making a DIY Craft
You don’t need to purchase a craft kit for quiet time. You can make several crafts with supplies you have at home.
Check out all the free ideas and templates on ThatKidsCraftSite.com.
Solving Riddles
Keep your child’s brain engaged with solving riddles during quiet time!
Bird Watching
Birdfeeder? Check. Binoculars? Check. Bird identification guide? Check.
Welcome to a wonderful quiet-time activity!
Gardening
Give your child a dedicated gardening space and watch his interest bloom!
Your child can plant and tend flowers, herbs, strawberries, or veggies.
Playing a Musical Instrument
I know what you’re thinking. “Does it count as quiet time if my child makes noise?”
The answer is yes!
Practicing a musical instrument is a great way to spend quiet time (or at least a small part of it).
Shadow Puppetry
All you need for shadow puppetry is a dark room, a focused light, and your hands!
Storytelling with Puppets
Your child can come up with a play to show you after quiet time is over.
Stargazing
Evening quiet time can be the wind-down period before bedtime.
What is more calming than gazing at the moon and the slow-moving constellations?
You can learn to identify the constellations with these cards.
Yoga for Kids
Yoga is refreshing, invigorating, and relaxing all at once. How is that possible? Try it and see!
Read more about yoga for kids.
Meditation
Focusing on breath and key phrases can be a relaxing activity for you both at the start of quiet time.
Knitting or Crocheting
Knitting and crochet are perfect quiet-time crafts.
Start on the right stitch by choosing the best crochet kits for kids.
Playing with Felt Boards
Felt boards are mess-free storytelling tools. Try this wall banner with a barnyard scene.
Baking or Cooking Together
You can spend the occasional quiet time together and cook or bake.
We had a bunch of recipes here on MamaTeaches, like this one for blackberry yogurt bark.
Creating a Fairy Garden
Choose tiny plants, ceramic houses, and little figurines to create a fairy garden.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make a fairy house.
Planting Seeds
Start a garden in the old-fashioned way by planting seeds. Herbs, radishes, beans, and alfalfa are straightforward to sprout.
Balloon Animals
Older children may enjoy making balloon animals.
Playing with Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is utterly fascinating. It sticks together but also slides apart.
Bubble Art
Add food coloring to the bubble liquid and blow the bubbles onto white paper.
Making Homemade Playdough
You don’t need to purchase play dough. Making your own is a fun activity!
Watercolor Painting
A set of watercolors offers an exciting twist on simple coloring.
Finger Painting
Young children love finger painting. It’s even safer if you make your own edible finger paint!
Try some of these finger painting craft ideas.
Making Friendship Bracelets
Although friendship bracelets can be very time-consuming and complex, these seven designs are perfect for beginners.
String Art
Older kids may love string art.
Younger children will find geoboards more doable.
Playing with Stickers
Peeling stickers is perfect for fine motor practice.
Creating a Vision Board
Does your child have a goal or a dream? Maybe she wants to be an astronaut, open her own cafe, or travel the world.
Give her a bulletin board, scissors, coloring supplies, paper, and a stack of magazines so she can craft a vision board.
Building a Fort
What do you need to make an epic fort? Sheets, blankets, pillows, cushions, and the secret weapon: beach towel clothespins.
Playing Dress-Up
Kids love dressing up because they get to inhabit different characters. It’s one of the classic quiet time activities.
Making Paper Airplanes
Grab a stack of paper so your child can make and launch paper airplanes during quiet time.
He can decorate his planes with custom colors for a stylish look.
Rock Painting
Turn ordinary rocks into art projects by applying some paint.
Check out this ladybug rock painting craft.
Indoor Camping
Who says camping has to be outdoors? Set up your tent inside to create the ultimate reading nook or quiet time play space.
You can fashion one out of sheets if you don’t have a tent.
Building a Lego Structure
Free play with Lego blocks is a great quiet time activity.
You can find lots of project ideas with the Lego Ideas Book. No kits are required!
Making a Time Capsule
How do you make a time capsule? You collect items symbolic of a period in a shoebox.
Your child could create drawings, write a letter, put in ticket stubs, or a memento from the year.
Playing Board Games
Board games work as interactive quiet time.
Or your can play an independent game like Genius Squares or Solitaire.
Doing a Jigsaw Puzzle
Nothing is quieter than a puzzle! Check out this three-pack of colorful 100-piece puzzles.
Playing with Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic tiles are a toy that anyone (young and old) finds mesmerizing!
Making a DIY Kite
Here are ten kite crafts for kids!
Playing with a Parachute Toy
A parachute toy is fun inside or out. Do yourself a favor and use a type that does not get tangled.
Creating an Obstacle Course
To create an obstacle course, you can use couch cushions, play tents and tunnels, tables, and whatever else you brainstorm.
Go over, under, between, and through various obstacles.
Balancing Activities
Try various balance activities for quiet time.
Here is one: walk heel to toe, placing one foot in front of the other. Can you look to the side while you walk and still balance?
Can you balance while walking heel-toe blind folded?
Are you able to balance while walking backward this way?
Learning Magic Tricks
Learn simple magic tricks during quiet time and then show family and friends.
Making Slime or Putty
Who doesn’t love slime? Make your Glow in the Dark Slime with this recipe.
Do you want to try other slime recipes? We’ve got 60!
Playing with a Light Table
A lightbox makes tracing a snap. It’s a great way to learn to draw your favorite characters or animals.
A lightbox is a less expensive alternative to a light table, which stands alone.
You can put translucent colored shapes (like magnetic tiles) on a lightbox.
You can mix and match the colors of translucent cellophane.
Making a DIY Wind Chime
Create this beaded wind chime craft for kids.
Make a Toy Boat
Kids love to play with water. Make a toy boat and float it in a water table, sink, or bathtub.
Doing Calligraphy or Hand Lettering
This calligraphy and hand lettering set for beginners comes with pens, how-to instructions, and a beautiful practice pad.
Making Paper Bag Puppets
To make a paper bag puppet, you need only construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, and a paper bag, of course!
Playing with Water Beads
Water beads are a fantastic sensory toy, but they come with a warning.
They can be dangerous for young children who may be tempted to swallow them or shove them up a nose or inside an ear.
Only allow them for a quiet time activity if your child is well past the age of doing anything like that. (You should still warn them of the danger.)
Creating a Marble Run
Use lengths of paper towel tubes, ramps, funnels, toilet paper tubes, or PVC pipe to create a path for marbles.
You can secure the components with masking tape.
Or you can use a mix-and-match marble run kit.
Making Paper Plate Crafts
What can’t you make with a paper plate?
Check out this list of the best paper plate craft ideas.
Creating a Sock Puppet Show
Decorate socks with fabric markers and bits of felt to make sock puppets.
Your child can create a sock puppet show as one of her quiet time activities.
Playing with Shaving Cream
Shaving cream is essentially foamy soap.
Spread some on a rimmed baking sheet and let your child play with this sensory medium.
Making a DIY Bird Feeder
Spread peanut butter on a pine cone and then roll the pinecone in birdseed. Instant birdfeeder!
You can also make a bird feeder from a cardboard milk or juice carton.
Creating a Sensory Bottle or Jar
Fill a screw-top bottle 1/4 of the way with water. Add a few drops of food coloring.
Next, add whatever you want to the jar. These could be beads, glitter, or tiny toys.
Then, fill the remaining space with hair gel or corn syrup.
Place hot glue around the rim of the bottle and screw the top on. Let set.
You can also try this snowman in a bottle craft.
Doing a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Head outside to complete a nature scavenge hunt.
You will look for items on a checklist, such as a ladybug, a clover, moss, a bee, a yellow flower, and an anthill.
You can try this nature scavenger hunt for preschoolers.
Is it a rainy or frigid day? Try this indoor scavenger hunt.
Making a Fairy Tale Book
Kids know a fairy tale begins with “Once upon a time” and ends with “happily ever after.”
Let them decide what to put in between!
Give them a booklet to make their fairy tale. If they desire, they can make it a picture book.
Paper Weaving
Get started with paper weaving with this woven rainbow placemat.
Making a DIY Musical Instrument
Make your own musical instruments like this DIY tambourine.
Creating a Paper Mache Project
Paper mache is messy but fun. Cut up strips of paper (old newspaper works well).
Dip them in a mixture of school glue and water. Add some salt.
Cover an item (like a balloon) with the wet paper strips.
Once the item is covered, let it dry. Then, you can paint your paper mache creation.
Playing with Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
You can create different colors of rice to add to your sensory bin.
Mix a cup of rice with a few drops of food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar.
Spread out and let dry overnight.
Do you want more sensory bin fillers? Check out this list of 50+ items to put in a sensory bin.
Doing a Shadow Drawing Activity
Tape a piece of paper to the floor. Set up a focused light so it shines across the paper.
Place an object (like a figurine) on the paper and move the light so the shadow is cast directly onto the paper in the shape of the figure.
Trace the shadow.
Making a DIY Kaleidoscope
Make a kaleidoscope with materials you have at home, such as a paper towel tube, sequins or beads, plastic wrap, and a plastic report cover.
Playing with Pipe Cleaners and Beads
Pipe cleaners and pony beads go together like a hand and glove.
You can make bracelets, necklaces, or crafts (like this snowflake).
Creating a Gratitude Journal
Have your child practice gratitude during quiet time by keeping a gratitude journal.
Making a Pop-up Card
Pop-up cards are fun and easy to make.
Try these DIY Father’s Day and Mother’s Day cards.
Painting with Ice Cubes
Fill an ice cube tray with water. Add drops of food coloring to each cube compartment so you have all the colors of the rainbow.
Cover the tray with foil. Then, poke a popsicle stick in the top of each foil-topped compartment.
Freeze until solid.
Then, remove the foil to reveal popsicles of colored water. Paint with the ice cubes on white paper.
Doing Leaf Rubbing Art
Collect leaves of various sizes and shapes.
Place a leap bumpy side up. Cover with white paper.
Rub the side of a crayon (remove the paper) atop the paper. You will see the leaf rubbing emerge.
Making Paper Bag Masks
Use paper grocery bags, scissors, and markers to create paper bag masks.
Playing with Pom Poms and Tweezers
Pom poms are another great sensory object.
Using plastic tweezers, you can practice fine motor skills by moving pom poms to various containers.
Use a kid-safe set like this one.
Balloon Rocket Experiment
Cut a piece of string 10 feet long. Thread a straw onto the string.
Tie one end of the string to a chair and tie the other end to another chair. Separate the chairs until the string is taut.
Inflate a balloon, but do not tie it off. (If needed, temporarily secure it with a binder clip.)
Tape the balloon to the straw. Unclip the end of the balloon to release the air and watch the rocket zoom across the string.
Make Secret Coded Messages
Follow these steps to make secret coded messages during quiet time.
Creating a Recycled Art and Plant Project
Combine all things green with recycled materials and plants.
Playing with Toy Cars and Tracks
Kids love to play with cars, especially if they can design a track system and launch the vehicles at a high rate of speed!
Try this Hot Wheels cars and track kit. It comes with its own carrying case.
Handprint Art Projects
You can make a handprint into any craft.
Try this Peace Dove Handprint Craft or this Mother’s Day Handprint Craft.
Making a Salt Dough Ornament
Use this recipe for salt dough to make a set of ornaments.
Playing with Magnetic Slime
Have you ever seen the movie Flubber? Playing with magnetic slime is like seeing flubber in the real world!
Creating an Alphabet Book Together
Use these alphabet coloring pages (we have floral letters and animal letters) to make an alphabet book you can read together.
Making a DIY Snow Globe
This snow globe is a DIY craft that makes for a terrific quiet-time activity.
Playing with Play Foam
Play foam allows you to mold foam beads into any shape you desire!
Creating a Paper Plate Animal Craft
Paper plates can turn into animals. Don’t believe me?
Try this paper plate unicorn or paper plate bunny.
Doodling on a Chalkboard
This magnetic chalkboard could be an organizational centerpiece of your home or a doodle station during quiet time!
Creating a Nature Collage
Create a nature collage with leaves, bark, moss, twigs, berries, and flowers.
Are you looking for more nature activities? Try these!
Making Animal Masks
These animal masks can be double the fun during quiet time.
First, make the mask. Second, play pretend!
Playing with Pom Poms
Pom poms are small, fuzzy, and appealing. You can use them in crafts during quiet time.
Try this flag made of pom poms.
Building with Cardboard Boxes
A cardboard box can be whatever it needs to be.
From a rocket ship to a castle to a clubhouse, a giant cardboard box makes quiet time more enjoyable.
Making a DIY Microphone
Unlike a karaoke microphone, this one just looks the part! This DIY craft microphone is easy to make.
Your child will have fun singing her favorite tunes during quiet time (or maybe not so quiet time!).
Creating a Paper Bag Treasure Hunt
A paper bag treasure hunt is similar to a nature scavenger hunt, but the concept is more straightforward.
Give your child a few paper bags and label them “rocks,” “leaves,” “twigs,” and “flowers.”
Your little one can fill her bags with her newfound treasures.
Quilling
Quilling involves rolling tiny strips of colored paper into circles and other shapes. It works best for kids over 10.
Try this quilling sea horse and paper quilling hearts card.
100 Quiet Time Activities That Kids Will Love
When you give them some of these quiet time activity ideas, your kids won’t complain about quiet time.
From pretend play to nature time to arts and crafts, these quiet time activities have something for everyone.