Quiet time activities for kids

Safety first

Keep a grown-up nearby and within earshot the whole time, and check in now and then. Nothing small enough to swallow should be in a box for a child under three, so test pieces against a fist and choose large items. Use no cords, strings, ribbons or long scarves, because they can wrap or tangle. Keep liquids out of the box completely, including water, paint and glue. Choose soft, rounded things without sharp edges or loose parts, and check the box before each use for anything worn or broken. Age hints are only a guide, so you know your child best.

Setting up a quiet-time box

A box can be a shoebox, a basket or a tray. Fill it with only a few things, since many children seem to find a small set easier to start with than a full toy cupboard. Choose a calm, tidy spot in sight of where you will be, such as a corner of the living room or beside the kitchen. Show your child the box, let them open it, then step back. This page is about independent play. For other situations, see our guides on calm-down activities and a gentle bedtime routine.

1. Book basket

Age hint: 3 and up.

Put in the box: A low basket, four to six sturdy picture books, a mat or cushion.

1. Choose books your child already knows, plus one or two new ones.
2. Place the basket within easy reach.
3. Invite them to pick one book and look at it in their own way, by reading, retelling or just turning pages.
4. Put the books back in the basket together when they finish.

Notice: Which picture did you look at the longest?

2. Sticker-free sorting tray

Age hint: 3 and up, with large pieces only.

Put in the box: A shallow tray, two or three small bowls or cups, and large safe items such as big wooden spoons, large cardboard shapes, or thick fabric squares.

1. Check that every item is bigger than a fist, with no sharp edges, so nothing can be swallowed.
2. Set the bowls on the tray and mix the items in the middle.
3. Ask your child to sort them into the bowls any way they like, by colour, size or feel.
4. Tip everything back to the middle when they are done, ready for another go.

Notice: How did you decide where each one belonged?

3. Drawing pad

Age hint: 3 and up.

Put in the box: Plain paper, a clipboard or hard board, and three or four thick wax crayons.

1. Tape the paper to a table or board so it does not slide.
2. Offer only a few crayons, since fewer choices are easier to manage.
3. Let your child draw anything at all, and resist the urge to correct or guess.
4. Keep the finished page, or put it in a folder for later.

Notice: Can you tell me about a line or shape you drew?

4. Felt shapes and cloth scraps

Age hint: 4 and up.

Put in the box: Large felt shapes, soft cloth scraps cut bigger than a fist with no loose threads, and a flat sheet or tray to work on.

1. Lay a plain cloth on the floor or table as a base.
2. Spread out the felt and scraps in a pile.
3. Invite your child to arrange them into pictures, patterns or a made-up scene.
4. Fold the scraps back into the box together at the end.

Notice: What did you make, and which piece is your favourite?

5. Listening corner

Age hint: 3 and up.

Put in the box: A cushion, a speaker or device that you control, and a story or a piece of music that you have chosen. Run the device on its battery and keep any charger or cord out of the box and out of reach.

1. Pick a short story or piece of music your child likes, such as a short story in a grown-up's voice that was recorded earlier.
2. A grown-up starts the audio and keeps the volume low, so everyone can hear what is happening nearby.
3. Your child sits or lies on the cushion with a picture book or just listens.
4. A grown-up stops the audio when it ends, and switches off the device.

Notice: What was your favourite part, and who was in it?

6. Quiet building with soft blocks

Age hint: 2 and up, large soft pieces only.

Put in the box: Soft foam or fabric blocks, or large cardboard boxes, and a flat clear space.

1. Check that each block is large and soft, with no loose parts.
2. Clear a patch of floor away from furniture edges.
3. Let your child stack, line up or build a shape, and take it down again if they wish.
4. Count how many blocks were used, or just admire the shape, then pack the box away.

Notice: What would live inside your building?

More to do on Rangooo

Set up a cosy spot with make a reading corner for kids, listen together with listening games for kids, stack safely with building and stacking games, find ideas in easy drawing ideas, browse indoor games for kids, talk through big emotions with talking about feelings activities, find gentle ideas in calm-down activities, read more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.

Questions

How long should a quiet-time box session last?

There is no right length. Many families start with five to ten minutes and let the child decide when they are finished. Younger children often settle for a shorter time, and that is perfectly fine.

Does my child need to stay in one place?

Not necessarily. A mat, a tray or a low table gives the box a clear home, and many families find that this helps materials stay together. If your child wanders off, the box can simply be put away and tried again later.

What if my child keeps asking for me?

That is very common and nothing has gone wrong. You are nearby, so you can answer, admire what they have made and then step back.

Can we use these boxes with a toddler?

Only one is meant for children under three: the soft blocks, from age two, using large soft pieces only. Remove anything small enough to swallow and stay within arm's reach. The other boxes are for ages three and up (felt shapes four and up).