Looking for something to help keep your youngsters quietly occupied during afternoon rest time? Here’s a great post on how to create Quiet Time Tubs.
We used this concept for a few years and it worked well for us. Find more ideas for Quiet Time Tubs at:
I just want to say I really enjoyed this post. My 3 1/2 year (non-napping) has been driving us crazy. She loves to pester her napping baby brother. I only have one box and I’m trying to come up with quiet independent activities for her ( for approx. 30min. – 1 hr. at a time). Your post and links gave me some great ideas for her “busy box.” I plan on rotating activities in order to prevent bordom. Again…..Thank You!
In LOVE with this idea. Similar to busy bags, but in a box. Quiet time has been unsuccessful at our house. At least it isn’t so quiet, since my 4 year old is constantly coming out of his room to show me or ask me for something. Half the time I can’t stand the battle so I just give up or don’t try. I think we need to re-event quiet time and this will help for sure! How long do most people have their kiddos in quiet time? I’ve seen up to 2 hours which seems like a long time to me?? I have attempted to aim for 45-1 hour with my 4 year old.
2 hours is normal here; my little ones nap for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Naptime/quiet time is 1 to 3:30, but I’m usually late putting them all down; it takes a while! My older two read. The harder ones are my middle two (the 5 and 6-year-olds) who can’t read longer books yet. My son likes projects. I’ll be checking into these ideas for my 5-year-old daughter. My mom had me take a nap until I was 5, so we have the same rule at my house (and sometimes my oldest takes a nap, too!) People are surprised, but my hubsand always says, “If you could take a nap every day, wouldn’t you?” and every adult says, “YES!” 🙂
We literally just YESTERDAY started quiet time for our 3 year old. (she actually fell asleep 20 minutes in.) I’m always looking for fun, unique ideas like this. Thanks so much 🙂
This is a great idea!!! I’ve been looking for something that will entertain my 2-yr old while I’m feeding the newborn. This would work perfectly…plus, it will develop his skills! Thanks for sharing.
Those are really cool. I keep looking at ideas like this and filing them away for when my son (and future children!) get a little bigger 🙂 Hope I can remember them all!
Pinterest!
Thanks! Can you believe I had no idea what pinterest was?!
I finally tried it out and transferred all my bookmarks over to it and I love how I can see the ideas at a glance. Hope you enjoy it!
I was thinking the same thing about Play-Doh. What a mess that would create in the bedroom. I would love to hear any other ideas for the boxes. I have a 2 and 4 year old. The 4 year old is starting to not take naps so this would be great for her.
If you go to her website (as well as the other 3 mentioned) they have quite an extensive list of ideas for what to put in the boxes. 🙂
Thanks for including me!! ♥
Love this! Although, instead of quiet time, this would be for play-alone time when I need to get work done. For quiet time my daughter looks at books (she can’t read yet).
I like this idea a lot!!! However, I would never give a can of Play-Doh to my four year old during quiet time.
Have you tried Play Foam? It doesn’t get rubbed into carpets and never dries out. Truly a miraculous invention! 🙂
No I haven’t. Maybe I could get a little for Christmas and try it out. We bought a ton of Play Doh last year at Target after Halloween in the clearance section so it’s never crossed my mind to try something else. Thanks for the tip!
What a great idea!! I may have to try this one day.
Ahh when I first saw this on twitter I thought that you were talking about bins to put the kids in 😛
haha.
Hahaha! Too funny!