Are you looking for toddler activities to keep your kids busy when you are exhausted, sick, or just need to get stuff done?
I’ve been super sick lately and I have two little ones at home so it’s super hard to rest and watch toddlers as a stay at home mom.
If you are sick, exhausted or just need a break, here’s a few easy things to do while mom is sick:
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Toy Rotation
I love not keeping every single toy out for instant play and instant messes and will rotate toys in my house.
Toy Rotation is just that… keep some toys and bins tucked away, and rotate toys for new ones. I keep big bins in the closet and will just take a bin for a day, and other times I’ll completely rotate the toys in our living room.
The nice thing about toy rotation is that “new” toys will appear. I feel like my kids will play with their toys longer when they haven’t seen them in awhile.
If they always see the same toys, and can access every single toy, they will play less. They get overwhelmed and bored. At least, I feel like that’s the case with my kids.
I like to keep totes in a closet and will take them out and rotate toys or even just pull out a toy or two when I feel like they need something else to keep them busy.
When I’m really tired, I’ll have “an ace” toy tucked away nearby and will bring it out when I need it. It’ll keep them busy, and the toy is “new”. It’s usually building related with my boys because they love to make and build things.
I also get overwhelmed less with toy rotation because I am looking at less toys myself and will do less pick up every night.
Also, there’s less dumping of every single toy in bins and then walking away to play with the coach cushions or something…
Highly recommend toy rotation or just keeping aside a few toys to keep playing with toys a little more exciting.
Easy Crafts
We love to do crafts and creative things, but it can be exhausting to find the craft, set it up, assist and clean up.
I love craft kits when I need a break and want something easy to keep the kids entertained.
I’ll get some cheap stuff at Michaels, especially when the seasons are changing. They tend to have huge clearance sales for holiday items before the holiday is even over.
For example, I always go into Michaels around December 20th and grab a few last minute crafts for 75% off! I did the same for the fall, when it was still technically fall season– and there’s usually some craft kits to choose from!
I’ve also done the Alex Toys Busy Box. It’s nice when you want to do a craft, but don’t want to think about it or set it up. You can pull out a bag, and the craft is in the bag with all the supplies. It’s so nice and skips a few steps, especially when you are sick.
There’s also some super easy and mess-free crafts in the kit, like stick stickers on pizza, and then there’s more elaborate crafts that need some help and creativity. However, you can pick the craft in the kit based on your mood.
I love doing craft kits when the kids are exhausted because they usually keep them busy and there’s not too much to do on my end besides the occasional assisting or “ooh ahh”.
Big ‘ol Box
Yep. What toddler can resist a gigantic box?
Just grab markers, crayons, scissors, construction paper, glue, or nothing at all and see what amazing things can come out of a box.
That’s it, easy right?
My kids loves boxes of all shapes and sizes for creative play and self play! I don’t have to get involved at all with box play!
Just save those diaper boxes and random boxes for days you really need a break!
Magnetic Tiles
My kids can play with Magnetic tiles for hours. It is probably the best investment toy in my house. They are a little pricey, but we’ve gotten soo may hours of play out of our magnetic tiles!
The best part is that the kids will usually play with these with little help from mom. Sometimes I’ll play and make things with them, but other times, they can play for quite awhile with them by themselves!
I’ll even put them on the fridge and have them play with magna-tiles while cooking dinner!
Magna-tiles can get a little pricey, we actually don’t have any of the original brand, but we do have a few knocks that work just as well!
We have Picasso tiles and PlayMags and another random brand. I like the PlayMags a tad better if they are the same price, but Picasso tiles and other brands are fine too! The different brands also work fine together, I think as long as they look like they will work together, they will.
Magnetic tiles are definitely my favorite toy and perfect for days that I’m exhausted and need to get things done because they get hours of play with them!
Sand Box
If it’s nice weather, head outside. Digging in a sandbox can keep kids occupied for awhile!
If you don’t have a sandbox or the sandbox novelty has worn out, you can also add sand to a Tupperware bin and place some shovels, cups, or kitchen tools for some sand play!
You could also put kinetic sand or make cloud dough and create an indoor sand box if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Keep in mind, that it could get messy for indoor play. The first time I did cloud dough, I got two hours of self play and easy clean up. It was amazing. Next time, not so much. It can get messy real fast, depending on experience.
But a sand box outside or on the deck is perfect for days that you are exhausted!
We also went to an construction birthday party with a big pile of dirt and my kid was digging in that for two hours straight.
My son totally ignored the huge brand-new sand box and went straight for the dirt pile, so if the sandbox novelty has worn out, go for the good stuff.
Anyone need a big pile of dirt delivered?
Spark Kitchen Sink
Guys, water comes out when you turn on the play sink, just like a real sink. And you don’t have to stand at a sink with your kid for 10 minutes or waste water!
You put water on the bottom and the pump will bring up the water and it keeps recycling through the water.
My kids love it. It’s the Spark Kitchen Sink with a WORKING FAUCET.
Just be forewarned though, it doesn’t last terribly long. The pump actually lasted longer for us than others, but it won’t last forever. I think it lasted around a year for us, with on and off play. But I do know someone who’s pump broke within a few days of play.
The sink will also randomly start working again for a few minutes after not working for months, and then die again.
But for $15, you should get your money back pretty quickly in babysitting money.
My son played with this FOR HOURS.
Especially if you have a water/sink lover on your hands.
Just make sure to put a big towel underneath it, as it gets a little wet and messy, but not terribly so. Or just bring it outside if it’s nice out.
The Spark Kitchen Sink is a Walmart exclusive and available for $14.88, but you can find it on sites like Amazon too, but you will be paying more than retail for it.
You can find a knock-off version at Burlington Coat Factory, T.J. Maxx, etc. call Just Like Home Kitchen Sink and it’s a similar price, if you can’t find the spark one or would rather shop in stores.
There’s also the Little Tikes Splish Splash Sink and Stove for $20, and the pump works a tad differently, but I heard that it’s also a hit!
All three sinks were really hard to find two Christmases ago, but I think they are a little easier to find now.
The sink is definitely a hit and a great investment for $15-$20 since your little one should engrossed for awhile with this one!
Toys in the Tub
Toys in the tub… with no water. That’s so silly mom.
The Tub is a great go-to when you are exhausted and just want them to stay in one place for more than 5 minutes.
Throw them in the tub, put some toys that shouldn’t be there, and viola!
If your up for it, you can also add water for some longer fun.
You could even throw those toys in their for a silly bath time or put their bathing suits on and “go to the beach” if it’s been a long day or long winter.
I also like to throw toys in during the day for a bath because:
- It’s fun and silly
- It keeps the kids extra busy
- The toys get clean (!!!)
Using the bath during the day with or without water is a great activity that can keep the busy for a long time with minimal effort. You just have to stay in the bathroom with them for this one.
Time Consuming Snacks
Those Apple Pouches are great. They are quick, healthy, and great in a pinch. They are great for on-the-go and in a rush as they don’t take too much at all!
I love the apple pouch but sometimes we need the exact opposite. The all-time consuming snack.
The snack that takes forever. The snack that your entertain your kids for awhile. The kind of snack that keeps them busy so you have a break.
My kids are eating that snack right now as I type this. I am sitting at my kitchen table and the kids are around and eating a time consuming snack. We are on about 20 minutes. It’s lovely.
There are many different options, but today I did food + activity + motor skills.
Crackers + Peanut Butter + Do It Yourself.
I give my kids a (safe) butter knife, crackers, and peanut butter and they love making peanut butter sandwiches. They are also learning motor skills as they are buttering the crackers themselves.
It’s not terribly messy either– a little messy, but manageable.
They keep themselves busy + I’m getting work done.
If we are on the go and need to keep them busy on an airplane, waiting area, etc. I’ll pick a less messy time consuming snack like fruit roll-ups or something.
What are your favorite time consuming snacks! I need some more ideas!
Don’t Wake The….
Don’t wake the {insert favorite animal or mystical creature}
We usually play Don’t Wake The Lion and I am (Mom) the Lion. I lay on the floor in blankets and pillows (cozy) and I’m a lion. Anytime the kids come near and try to uncover my blanket, I let out a big ROAR.
You can do this fun little lazy game with whatever you want. I’m usually a lion because my kids love ROARING, but you could be a big bear, pirate, dragon, or whatever your kids would like best.
You can even hid a little treat, treasure, or toy to make it more enticing and have them try to get the treat from the lion.
We get a few giggles out of it and I get to lay down in blankets and pillows without doing too much, but I still feel like I’m still bonding and having fun with my kids even if I feel terrible.
It’s silly, fun and lazy fun all at the same time!
Reading, Puzzles and Games
This is one that you need to be present for, but great if you are sick and exhausted because it’s very low energy.
We sit on the couch and we read books. We do will do puzzles together and play board games and silly games.
I like to do things that I can sit on the couch and rest but I can still engage and do fun things with them.
Big picture books, magazines, maps, calendars, and baby pictures of themselves also do well as they like to look at different things! We can open up a big map and point to things on a map or talk about the numbers or pictures on the calendar.
It keeps them busy and intrigued, and I get to sit on the couch.
Behold The Novelty
All Hail The Novelty. You know that item that super random item that will keep your kid busy forever for that moment in time and then they will never see or play with it again.
The novelty item is just a great way to keep a kid busy when you are exhausted or really sick.
Some you would never even give your kids on a regular basis but you are exhausted for some peace in quiet. A novelty item is great for this.
Not all novelty items are not the same and may work again, and some will just never work for your children, because all kids are different.
Here are a few “novelty items” that worked for my kids:
- Flashlights
- Keys
- Balloons
- Slinky
- Spin Tops (Grampy usually brings one to restaurants & keeps them busy)
- Light or Glow Sticks (be careful if you have a biter)
- Contact Case (just be careful with this one since it’s so small)
- Tupperware with lots of covers and lids
- Ice Cream Scoop, Pans, Rolling Pin, etc.
- Whisk (you can put pom poms in it for more curiosity)
- Spray Bottle
- The Big Toy Book (I grabbed a few a Target at Christmas time to bring out
Let me know what your favorite novelty items are and have worked well for you– I need more!
And The Screen
Since this is a post about parenting while exhausted, a screen like TV or an iPad will keep those little ones entertained while you rest.
I personally try to limit screen time, but when I’m sick, those limits go out the window.
TV and movies keep my boys still and entertained while I rest.
We usually stick to PBS programming like Curious George or Daniel Tiger because they learn some stuff and they’re household favorites.
We also watch some music programming like The Wiggles because sometimes they’ll dance and let some energy out!
I try not to feel too guilty about letting them watch a lot of TV and movies when I need it, because it keeps them safe and entertained. They are also little and won’t watch TV all day since they can never stay still for that long!
Some days are packed with stuff and a screen never turns on, and other days, screens are on more than usual. I think it all balances out in the end.
When you are completely exhausted, a little screen time is an easy activity that will keep them busy and entertained.
What are some things you do when you need to watch the kids when you are sick or completely exhausted?
