10 Low-Prep Activities for Kids

As a mommy, I sometimes feel like an octopus juggling daily responsibilities, errands, and family time. I love family bonding time the best, but sometimes I need extra time to catch up with my “grown-up tasks” while the kids are independently playing. Most of the time they can come up with what they would like to do, but sometimes they need a little nudge. When time is limited on my part, and the kids are uninspired with what to do, here is a go-to list of 10 low-prep activities for kids:

1. Character/Puppet Shows 

   Set up an area with character toys or puppets. It is amazing what kinds of stories the kids will come up with when given the opportunity. No toys or puppets around the house? That can be another activity! They can make their own puppets. With materials such as craft sticks, paper, felt, lunch paper bags, paper plates, cardboard, stickers, markers, or crayons, or whatever you have laying around the house, different types of characters can easily be created for a fun imaginative story! (See my kids’ video on an easy way to make a paper bag puppet here). When it is time to put on the show, their stage can be anywhere they can hide behind such as the kitchen table, couch, or bed.

2. Showtime

   Turn on some music and give the kids a toy microphone, or a wooden spoon from the kitchen. As soon as Disney music is turned on in our house, my kids are belting out their voices in the living room. Whatever music genre floats your boat, this activity is definitely something easy to set up, and can entertain them for a good chunk of time.

3. Outside play 

   This is a great way to get fresh air, get some exercise, and change the scenery. Good outdoor toys to have are: sidewalk chalk, blocks,
   bicycles/tricycles, bubbles, and balls are quick materials to whip out for outside play time.

4. Blocks

   The beauty of blocks is the endless creations kids can make. It can be a city or a castle, mall, a storefront, or whatever their imaginations lead them to create. This is a perfect way for the kids to use their creativity, fine motor skills, and perception of balance.

5. Shaving Cream Fun 

   This is a messy one, but entertaining! Grab that can of shaving cream from your bathroom and just start squirting the table.
   Depending on where you want it in the house, this can be done in the bathtub, kitchen table, or outside. Kids LOVE, and I mean LOVE shaving cream. They are entertained by the squishy sensation, fluffing it up into clouds, balls or snowmen. It is also a wonderful way to practice their writing too. With a layer of shaving cream on the surface, the kids can take their fingers to practice writing letters, numbers, their name. If you have food coloring or watercolors,  adding a drop or two can spruce it up for a colorful sensory experience. (Tip: For easier clean-up, I lay out a clean plastic trash bag on the table, prior to adding the shaving cream, and lift it all up in one swoop at the end).

6. Reading Seek-and-Find books

   In my childhood, I remember trying to find Waldo in the “Where’s Waldo” book series. It kept my attention trying to find Waldo and scouring the pages for all of the different types of creatures, people, and theme-related items. Now, kids can seek so many different types of objects, animals, and characters. From minions, Star Wars, Disney characters, to Shopkins in books. These types of books are excellent to have on hand because of the skills that are developed from them. They are good for both pre-readers and stronger readers. Kids work on attention to detail, focus, and patience.

7. Dress-up 

   Set out a trunk or a laundry basket of various types of clothing. There is something magical about being able to try on different typesof clothing. It does not even have to be fancy costumes. My kids get excited trying on my belts, some of my jewelry (pre-approved pieces), hats, and shoes. They enjoy transforming into characters and their imaginations run wild from there. (Click here to read my other blog post on how to set up a cheap and easy dress-up area).

8. Art

   Laying out various materials to make art can be a quick preparation, and a high-engaging activity that can last the kids a while, depending on their interests. This is one of those activities that can be changed up each time to keep the kids interested.
   For example, one day, it can be different stamps, ink, and paper. Another day, it can be stickers and pads of paper. There can be
   crayons and markers set out with stencils. One day, my kids even used the ribbon from our gift wrap and glued it to their paper. It is something I never thought to put out for them, but they came up with extra details on their own.

9. Playdough 

   Because playdough can be shaped into so many things, the kids can spend hours playing with it. From pretending to be bakers making tasty pastries, to creating animals in a zoo, playdough is such an enjoyable activity that builds creativity, and fine motor skills. There is a wide variety of objects that can be used to supplement playdough time. There are so many playdough toys sets out in stores, but you can use household items as well, like a rolling pin, plastic utensils, cookie cutters, rubber stamps, cups. The kids’ toys can become characters while the playdough can be shaped to create costumes for their toys or scenery. Kids can create letters, numbers, creatures, or pretend food. The imagination is a powerful thing. No playdough around the house? Here is a two-ingredient, no-bake playdough recipe I found from PBS.org

10. Water-Play 
    

    Putting out a small tub of water along with a few containers, cups, and toys is another low-prep activity for the little ones. By pouring water into various containers, kids can practice eye-hand coordination, They are working on motor development with stirring, and squirting if you have droppers or squirting toys. The concepts of floating and sinking can also be picked up while they play. With water, I have seen my kids use it to pretend they are conducting science experiments, bathing their baby dolls, selling lemonade, having a pool party for their toys. With our drought, the water can be used for the plants outside afterward. Another idea is to add some dish soap, and have them scrub their toys to clean them! Playing plus cleaning, an added bonus.

There are so many more activities out there, but these are ten of our top go-to activities that do not require very much time to prepare for but keep the kids entertained for a while. Not only are they good for independent play time, but they can also be enjoyed as a whole family when possible.