Toddlers are oh-so-fun and oh-so-exhausting. They often crave interaction with others and seek parents or other adults to engage with. Of course, there are times when parents can't play, so teaching independent play skills is vital. When caregivers are getting work done, cleaning, or simply need a few minutes to themselves, it's incredibly valuable to have activities children can do independently.
Teaching independent play skills won't happen overnight. Still, with some support and the gradual fading of adult presence, little ones can learn to occupy themselves for at least a short time without direct interaction from another person. As you begin developing independent play skills, try the following ideas for solo play activities.
Stamps
Let your little one's creativity shine with stamps. I definitely suggest washable stamps though! Set up a station at the dining table with papers and stamps and let them go to town.
Playdoh, Sand & Slime-Oh My!
I know some parents shy away from messy play, but let's be honest, messy play is fun! My 4-year-old loves playing with Play-Doh and kinetic sand. Play-Doh offers endless creative possibilities, making it an excellent option for independent play. If you're worried about the clean-up, try these play mats to keep things contained.
Of course, if your little one is in the mouthing phase, Play-Doh might not be the best option for limited-supervision independent play. An alternative could be creating homemade dough with edible ingredients!
Blocks
Blocks and Legos are another great way to let your toddler get creative. Try pattern blocks for older toddlers and preschoolers. These can support visual perceptual skills. But really, any blocks, Legos, or other stacking items would work!
Magnetic blocks are fun too, though they can be challenging to manipulate. I have found this to be frustrating to young children, so those may be better suited for interactive play with an adult's support.
Sensory Bins
Sensory bins offer endless possibilities for independent play that is individualized to your child's interests. You can purchase various pre-made sensory bins or create your own. Identify a container to use for the bin. Any small tote or a water/sand table would work. Next, add sensory materials. Finally, let your child explore!
Here are a few ideas for sensory bins:
Dirt and rocks (+ construction vehicles)
Rice and beans
Cotton balls/pom poms
Rocks
Leaves
Water with measuring cups
Water beads
Shaving cream
Pasta
Letters or numbers and a fishing net to "fish" them out
Shredded paper
Cereal
Flowers
Confetti
Pipe cleaners
Put items like sensory scoopers, measuring cups, spoons, other toys, etc. in for them to explore the sensory materials with. If your child is in a mouthing exploratory phase, please take caution to ensure no choking hazards.
Independent Play with Busy Binders
Busy binders or file-folder activities are pre-academic readiness activities. These may include tracing pages, matching, drawing, stickers, and more. You can create them yourself or purchase them. Etsy, Amazon, and TeachersPayTeachers all have large selections of busy binder activities!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission on purchases, though the total cost for you does not change!
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