Every mother from time to time wonders what to do with a child at home. This question becomes especially relevant during children’s vacations, quarantine, or when the weather outside is not conducive to long walks.
The first thing that comes to mind is to turn on cartoons for the little one or let them play with a tablet. However, pediatricians do not recommend getting too involved in such activities: children under 5 should not spend more than an hour a day in front of a computer or TV screen.
Therefore, it is necessary to look for alternatives and come up with activities that will keep the child from getting bored while adults have time for work or rest.
The choice of such entertainment depends directly on the age of your child: what is good for a two-year-old may not be interesting for an older child.
We have prepared several useful tips for you on how to organize leisure time for children from 2 to 5 years old.
Advice for parents on what to do with a 2-3 year old child at home
While your baby was very young, you probably spent almost all of your time with them. However, the older your little one gets, the more often parents have to think about what to do with their children at home.
Your home gatherings can be used productively: we have collected the most interesting ways for you to keep a 2-year-old child entertained at home.
- Home Sports
For a two-year-old toddler, something simple will do: gymnastics or dancing to upbeat music.
To make it more interesting for your little one, regularly change the “program” of workouts and add new interesting elements to it: a ball, a comfortable mat, etc.
- Developmental games
Try practicing with educational cards: teach your little boy to distinguish between dangerous/safe, hot/cold, etc.
As an option, you can learn the names of household items, birds, animals – everything your imagination allows.
- Drawing and sculpting
You can buy coloring books, a drawing board or play with play-dough to check your child’s creative tendencies.
Such activities are great for developing motor skills and imagination – exactly what a two-year-old needs!
- Singing songs
Or playing musical instruments: a whistle or drum.
We suspect that such an activity will quickly become boring for mom, so let’s move on to the next item.
- Entertainment
We remember favorite toys: dolls or cars, collect simple constructors, etc.
Don’t know what to play? Then just ask your little one what he would like to do right now.
By the way, all these activities are suitable not only for two-year-old babies. You can refer to this list when thinking about what to do with a 3-year-old child at home.
However, if you have older children, we have prepared something interesting for them as well.
What to do with a 4-5 year old child at home: fun games and activities
If you’re wondering what to do with your child at home, organize their leisure time in a way that all activities are built in the form of games. The thing is, at this age, games are not just daily entertainment, but also a way of exploring the world.
The key is interactive presentation, which can even involve children in everyday activities like cleaning.
Here’s what you can do with your 4 and 5 year old child at home:
- Try your hand at creativity
For a 4-year-old child, the range of activities becomes a bit wider: they will be interested not only in drawing and sculpting, but also in trying out applique, crafts, and more.
- Cultural development
If before, your child could only play a recorder or a toy piano, now you can learn songs together.
If your child has musical talent, you can enroll them in a music school at the age of 6! So it’s a good idea to start basic preparation in advance.
You can also read books together: fairy tales, educational books, and other useful literature.
- Physical education
In addition to exercising at home, you can expand your sports program by installing a movable bar or other equipment at home, so that your child can spend time for their health.
- Cleaning together
As we’ve already mentioned, even cleaning can be interesting if you find an approach to your child. To do this, you need to turn boring tasks into a game: be a positive (and interesting) example and ask your child to do simple tasks.
- Don’t forget to play and relax
Now it’s time for more complex building sets, role-playing games like playing daughter/mother or doctors, and more. Whatever you do, always encourage your child’s initiative. Don’t forget to praise your little one for their efforts and achievements. And, importantly, don’t forbid your little one from trying something on their own (of course, if it’s safe). Allow your son or daughter to make mistakes – it’s also an experience that will come in handy in life.