Ideas for Busy Play

Learn how to quickly, easily, and cheaply build your own DIY busy boxes for toddlers with this easy free activity-in-a-box tutorial!

Need some ideas to keep your kids busy? Below are some simple busy play activities to keep your kids entertained when you need to get something done.

Check out a reader favorite to keep kids busy.

Because we know that busy play is sometimes a necessity, we have created a complete how to build your own busy boxes download to really dive in get started with busy play.

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39 Edible Sensory Play Ideas for Little Kids

Button Sorting Activity for Simple Color Recognition

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Name Trace with Stickers Easy Activity for Toddlers

Peeling Tape Activity to Strengthen Little Toddler Fingers

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Simple Stacking Cups Activity for Toddlers

Simple No Prep Customizable DIY Abacus For Toddlers

Make a Toddler Busy Board That’s Supernova

No Prep Fine Motor Pipe Cleaner Activity

The “What’s Missing?” Memory Activity for Kids

Activities in the Kitchen for Preschoolers

Simple Water Pouring Activity for Toddlers to Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

Quick Sensory Bags for Kids to Keep Busy

Pom Pom Drop Activity for Toddlers + Benefits for All Ages

Simple Sticker & Tape Sticking Activity for Toddlers

Build Your Own DIY Toddlers Busy Activity Boxes – Free Tutorial

7 Perfect Pasta Crafts & Activities for Kids

9 Puzzle Games for Kids and Plenty of Fun

Lava Lamp Sensory Bottle & Bag are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Keeping Kids Busy with Easy Activities

Pasta Sensory Bin Activity for Free Play Exploration

Snowy Owl Pinecone Craft & Fine Motor Toddler Activity

Easy Edible Sand Castle with Brown Sugar for Indoor Beach Fun

Balance Beam for Toddlers Super Easy DIY at Home

How to Make Easy Monster Slime for Halloween

“Save the Duck!” Water Displacement Experiment to Keep Kids Busy in the Backyard

6 Things to Do With Goldfish Crackers: Activities to Cure “I’m Bored”

20 Mess-Free Sensory Bin Ideas Your Kids Are Going To Love

27 Awesome Busy Bag Ideas for Toddlers On the Go

5 Pipe Cleaner Activity Ideas for Fine Motor Toddler Fun

40 Sensory Activities for Babies and Toddlers that are Appropriate

How to Keep the Baby Busy While Your Cooking Dinner

DIY Sticker Busy Box for Easy Quiet Time Play for Kids

A Hammering Activity Toddlers Absolutely Love with a Box!

Pom Pom Push Fine Motor Activity to Keep Toddlers Busy

Easy DIY Geoboard for Toddlers to Make Stars & Simple Shapes

Exciting and Simple DIY Pom Pom Catapult Activity

This Screw Driver Activity is Fine Motor Play for Preschoolers with Real Tools

Simple Silly Stick Men Activity

Tape Road for Toddlers That is Super Quick and Simple

Rubber Band Activity to Keep Kids Busy When You Need It

Quick Toddler Activities That Require No Prep

Mailbox Pretend Play as This Reader’s Go-To Activity

Shredded Paper Snowman Sensory Bin for Play Time “Oh No! I’m Melting!”

Quick Button and Sponge Fine Motor Busy Bag Idea

Easy DIY Memory Matching Game for Kids to Play

Super Cool Search & Count Preschool Magnet Activity

Simple, No-Sew DIY Buttoning Board Activity

3 Simple Cookie Cutters Activities for Fine Motor Fun

Easy Poke a Pattern Activity for Preschoolers

Easy Balancing Sidekick Gravity Experiment and Activity for Kids

Animal Tape Rescue in Three New Exciting Ways!

Nursing Baby? Try Fun Busy Boxes for Older Siblings

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Stars Quick and Easy Fine Motor Activity

Easy DIY Stacking Toy Activity for Baby and Toddlers

Interactive Symmetry Activity with Loose Parts

Paper Clip Chain Activity is Quick Fun for Fine Motor Skills

Fun Activities to Keep Kids Entertained on Road Trips

Interactive Musical Storytelling Activity for Busy Indoor Fun

6 DIY Busy Bins for Easy Quiet Time Activities for Kids

Easy Magnet Block Ball Drop Activity for Independent Play

Super Simple Busy Bag Ideas for Fun Kid-Friendly Independent Play

Your Three Essentials For Mom “Me Time”

Fine Motor Knot Tying Activity

Classic Beating on Pots & Pans

Follow the Line & Match the Stickers

Ribbon Fine Motor Play for Toddlers

What Can Kids Do While Waiting at a Restaurant? Plus, What Your Kids Do

A Clean Up Method: Blocks Transport

A Busy Play Activity: Styrofoam Destruction

Fine Motor Activity with Drawer Knobs & Screws

Entertained with Dominoes!

Toddler Busy Play: Measuring Cups & Pots

Busy Play on It’s Playtime!

Toddler Activity: Pipe Cleaner Sprinkles

What Can We Use Egg Cartons For? Make a Train

Hey! I'm Jamie. I have 3 boys that are crazy energetic & we like to have fun!

Hands On As We Grow Newsletter

"It is hard to think of things to keep the 3 year old entertained and engaged while taking care of the baby. Everything we have tried so far from your website, the three year old has loved. Your ideas are so simple and he can do them for hours. HEAVEN!" - Karen I.
I am now one happy Dad!

"You have changed how I spend time with my kid in so many positive ways! I am now one happy dad that no longer wonders what I am going to do with this little guy for the next 12 hours :P Your site was this first time dad life saver!" - Jack C.
Hands On As We Grow Newsletter

"I feel like a new mama having so many fun ideas. I used to dread the afternoon, after naps, as it was so boring doing the same thing day after day but now I look forward to our "play" time!" - Haley S.
Free Activity Challenge

"Thank you so much for these activities. They have proven to me that I CAN be that mom that does cool and creative things with her kids! And those cool and creative things can actually be quite simple! What a revelation. Thank you!!" - Katie M.
Activity Plans eBooks

"This takes down the need to scour the internet for ideas. It's like looking for a recipe on the internet, so many options that often times it is less overwhelming to look in a book on the shelf than stress about too many options." Robyn G
So organized and easy to use.

I have found it impossible to Google ideas from a million different sites, get organized, shop for supplies, etc. This is exactly what I have been searching for! Thanks for making something so organized and easy to use. - Early Years Activity Plans User, Melissa C.
The Activity Room Member

"I absolutely love that this takes all the prep work out of engaging my children. It is so easy to just put up the calendar, and glance at it for inspiration when we are in a funk." - Rachel
Grateful to have activities handed to us...

"There's always something new for us to discover, as well as old favorites. I am so grateful to have activities handed to us... Fun and easy ones that can be put together in a moment's notice! You're awesome Jamie and I appreciate you sharing your activities and ideas!!" - Melissa C.