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Home ยป Blog ยป Self-Entertaining for Kids

Self-Entertaining for Kids

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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A commonly asked question I get is: How do you get your kids to play on their own?

I’ve learned that how I set up my house greatly influences my kid’s ability to play on their own.

1. I have found that cutting TV watching to a bare minimum, best if NONE, leads to so much more self-starting, creative play for my kid’s.

2. Set it up, and give a couple minutes. I put these trains in a little line and helped Patrick make a track and then walked away. He played for a good hour.

3. The fewer toys, and the more organized, the better chance at making it work. Huge amounts of toys are overwhelming. You know how you feel when you look at 500 choices of fabric, or icecream, or shoes? Sometimes it’s easier to walk away. They feel the same.

4. Bait and switch. Rotate toys maybe once a week or every other week. Even ONE “new” building set will fascinate for hours. If I had Duplos out, I put away the Lincoln Logs.

5. Be in the same room. Or not. Depending on the age and your child. Sometimes it’s best for me to be out of sight. Other times if I just sit in the room I find my 2 year old content as long as he knows I’m nearby.

6. Get a “project” started with siblings involved.  I know Patrick LOVES to play along side Andrew or  Matthew.

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April 7, 2010 ยท 20 Comments

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  1. Carin says

    April 7, 2010 at 10:20 am

    Yep, agree with all of them. Oh and I'm seriously impressed you've got such a large Thomas set!

    Reply
  2. brooke says

    April 7, 2010 at 10:42 am

    My two year old loves to play with markers which is obviously not the best little person activity. But if I give him four markers and a piece of newsprint I can get a good 30 mins or so to fold laundry. Of course he has to be in site and reminded "markers are for paper". Why does he love to color on the door so much ๐Ÿ™‚ ?

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    April 7, 2010 at 11:22 am

    Sarah,

    You will LOOOOVE the book "Simplicity Parenting". It will only confirm what you already know and live but it's a great read. Good post.

    Reply
  4. Julie says

    April 7, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Amen! I agree with all of your suggestions especialyy #1. We have a small house and I've deliberately limited our toy collection b/c I dislike clutter; but it also has the benefit of making sure the toys are used. I would also add versatile toys like Duplos/Legos/Lincoln logs which can be used for a variety of things rather than the plastic talking truck which only does ONE thing.

    And on those sick/whiny days there's always the bathtub which really seems to alter the crankiest of kiddos. I can always sit and make lists (and promptly lose them).

    Reply
  5. Jenny@ L.O.T.s of Love says

    April 7, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    Great ideas! I really need to declutter the toy room. You're right! There is so much that they can't see what is right in front of them.

    Reply
  6. Jennifer says

    April 7, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    Thanks so much for this encouraging post! We are currently simplifying our kids toy situation. I've been doing the rotating thing for years – that works wonders!

    Reply
  7. Molly Betsy @ Star Cottage says

    April 7, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    I agree with everything you said especially the tv part. We don't have cable or even rabbit ears we limit our couch potato time to 2 movies a week as a family. I want healthy, active and imaginitive kids. TV is such a waste of time and money.

    Reply
  8. Brian and Staci says

    April 7, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    My kids LOVE to make playdough….if we make a batch…they will play for hours!!! Messy, of course, but well worth it if I have a lot to get done ๐Ÿ™‚ And if I just give them cookie cutters and kitchen items…they are in heaven! No need to buy the barber shop playdough guy…mainly because I seem to be the one that has to pick out the playdough for hours! And LEGOS, of course, man….I hate stepping on those things, but my kids will build for hours! My 5 yr old is sadly out of the Thomas phase ๐Ÿ™ I miss those little faces ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  9. Emily says

    April 7, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Am I crazy? I would've sworn this post was in my reader last week. I am going crazy.

    Love your tips. It is true, for kids the less they have, the more they play. My kids can't even begin to play with too much stuff and too many options.

    Reply
  10. Love Being A Nonny says

    April 7, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    You are so right! just SEEING those trains lined up…makes me want to sit down and play!! Great tips. You always have the best things to say!

    Reply
  11. CRICKET says

    April 7, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    I so agree but sometimes one forgets. Yesterday I set up a Geo Trac that took about 5 minutes and I probably didn't hear anything from my little ones for 45 min. I got a lot accomplished. I also find if I read about 5 books aloud they eventually wander away and find something to do on there own.

    Reply
  12. Erin Deegan says

    April 7, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    Thanks… I needed that. As I sat reading this post Cooper, my 4 year old, whined… what should do I now?" In general, this kills me… so many toys and nothing to do? Really? Now, I plan on purging… less toys the better. Yes!!

    Reply
  13. Pam says

    April 7, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    cute photo! And I am all for shutting that darn tv off!!

    Reply
  14. Melanie says

    April 7, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Agree. 100%. With all of it. My 3-year-old and 6-year-old have had more fun this morning with a couple of blankets for a tent and a lot of imagination than they could ever have with TV.

    Kids are super-creative if you just let them be.

    Mel at themeaparty.com

    Reply
  15. crissy // mama boss says

    April 7, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    i completely agree, and try to do this. i still need to separate the toys, so we're only pulling out a few at a time, and can switch out for "new" ones later. but we're getting there.

    Reply
  16. Angela says

    April 7, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    Thanks for this. I will be purging and stashing toys away, pronto!

    Reply
  17. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says

    April 7, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    That is quite the collection – I notice that the toys that encourage creativity are the long-lasting ones. The toys that are loud and noisy and you push a button and they do everything for you are forgotten about in a week!

    Reply
  18. Dana @ Bungalow'56 says

    April 8, 2010 at 1:14 am

    It's the Costco secret. Fewer choices equals more purchases! Time to edit the toy section at this location : )

    Reply
  19. Heidi of Operation Organization says

    April 8, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    great ideas – I find that it does make such a diffrence with the longevity of the play if I get them 'started' and then slip away after a bit.

    I'd love to have a 'toy rotation' in place. My mother has been director her own preschool for over 25 years now, so I've seen that modeled first hand. My only hang up is I don't have any space in our small home outside their rooms to store out-of-rotation toys….hhhmmmm

    Reply
  20. {Brittany} says

    April 8, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    Amen! I love your new blog header. I'm also still so in love with your blog. You are amazing, which is why I just gave you an award on my blog. Thanks again!

    Reply

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Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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