Free Play Ideas

Free play is an essential part of a child's development. Allowing time for free play helps to build a child's imagination and creativity, as well as problem solving skills. Here are some great ideas to inspire your own free play times.

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No-Prep Marbles Sensory Activity for Preschoolers

Simple Stacking Cups Activity for Toddlers

No Prep Fine Motor Pipe Cleaner Activity

Simple Fine Motor Activity with Paper Clips

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

How to Make Homemade Playdough Super Soft

Balance Beam for Toddlers Super Easy DIY at Home

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

Flour Sensory Play for Toddlers (& Being Okay with the Mess)

25 Just Plain Fun Activities for Active Kids

Dandelion Activity Fine Motor Threading

Classic Outdoor Activity Rolling Down the Hill

Cool Preschool Watch Makes Taking Turns & Transitions Super Simple

Easy DIY Story Stones for Fun Creative Play

Block Activity: Build a City

30 Days to Hands on Play : Build a Fort!

Baby Play : Baby Food Jars

It’s Playtime! : The Areas of Play

Free Play : DIY Road Map

Free Play : Fabric

Fabric + Wipes Container = Hours of Fun for Babies & Toddlers

Make a Tin Can Forest for Outdoor Pretend Play

Outdoor Play : Firewood Sculpture

Free Play : Carpet Doodles

Baby Play : Mirror Reflections

Flour Piping Sensory Activity for Kids

Free Play Activity : Stirring and Mixing

Exploring Baby Food

Stacking : Trial & Error

Building a Bird’s Nest : Outdoors in April

Cupcake Masterpieces by the Future Baker

Food Tracks & Layered Play Dough

Play a Game of Balloon Badminton with Your Toddler

Box Flap Bridges & an Experiment

Bubble Pop Road & More

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.