How to Keep Kids Entertained While You Work From Home

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/working-ethnic-mother-using-tablet-and-laptop-at-home-with-playing-kids-on-background-4474030/

Working from home has become the new normal for a lot of people. This includes parents. But while you’re trying to focus on the task at hand and juggle parenting duties all in one, it can be difficult to find ways to keep your children entertained.

Fortunately, there are plenty of activities that can help keep kids entertained while you work from home. From educational games to creative projects, let’s explore some ideas. These will help you stay productive. They will also make sure your kids get the entertainment they need.

Get organized

Assuming you have young children at home, here are a few things to keep them busy while you work from home.

• Set up a designated play area in your home. This can be in their bedroom, the living room, or even in your office if it’s large enough. Let them know that this is their space to play and explore while you’re working.

• Put together a box of toys and activities that they can reach for when they start to get bored. This could include things like colouring books, puzzles, small toys, etc.

• If possible, set up a TV or computer in their play area so they can watch cartoons or educational shows while you’re working.

• Take breaks throughout the day to play with your kids or read stories with them. This will help break up the monotony for them. This will also give you some quality time together.

• Use your imagination! Get down on the floor and play with your kids, build forts out of blankets, and have a pillow fight. Just make sure they’re having fun!

• Set up some kind of reward system for when they complete tasks or stay in their designated play area for a certain amount of time. This could be something like getting a sticker or piece of candy after staying in their play area for an hour, etc.

• As a last resort, consider hiring a babysitter or nanny to help out. This could be especially helpful if you have multiple children and need some extra help.

Set up a routine

Assuming you work a 9-5 job, your kids are probably in school during the day. This leaves you with limited time to spend with them when you’re both awake and not working. That’s why it’s important to set up a routine for after school. This should include some fun activities for your kids to do while you’re working. Keeping kids busy and juggling between work life and parenting, here are some ideas that might help:

• Schedule some playtime: As soon as your kids get home from school, allow them some time to just play. This can be outside, inside with some toys, or even screen time if that’s what they’re into. Just let them burn off some energy and have some fun before it’s time to start homework or focus on dinner.

• Set aside time for homework: Once playtime is over, it’s time to buckle down and get started on homework. Help them get organized. Set a timer for how long they should be working. This way they know they need to focus and can still have fun later.

• Make dinner together: Cooking can be a great way to bond with your kids and teach them some life skills. Pick out a recipe that everyone will enjoy. Help them prep the ingredients. Cook the meal. Then sit down and enjoy dinner together before it’s time for bed.

• Have a bedtime routine: As the day winds down, help your kids get ready for bed with a consistent routine. This should include brushing their teeth, washing their face, reading a book together, and snuggling before they drift off to sleep.

Setting up a routine for after school can help you make the most of the time you have with your family during the week. It will also provide structure and consistency. This will benefit everyone in the long run.

Keep them busy with creative activities

It can be tough to focus on work when you’re trying to entertain kids at the same time. Here are some creative activities that will keep them busy while you get things done:

• Set up an obstacle course in your living room or backyard. They can crawl through tunnels, jump over hurdles, and swing from monkey bars.

• Get out some colouring books and crayons or markers. You can even turn it into a game by seeing who can colour the most pictures in a certain amount of time.

• If you have any old boxes lying around, turn them into forts or houses. They can decorate them with blankets and pillows to make them cosy.

• Play catch, hopscotch, or other simple games outside. If it’s nice weather, take advantage of it!

• Let them work on a craft project. You can find lots of ideas online for crafts made from household items or supplies you have in your home.

• Set up an indoor picnic. Spread out blankets and pillows on the floor and enjoy lunch together.

• Let them explore their imaginations with a puppet show or play. They can use stuffed animals, dolls, or even just their hands to create characters and act out stories.

Take advantage of teachable moments

You know those moments when your child does or says something and you think to yourself, “That’s a teachable moment!”? Well, now that you’re working from home with your kids in tow, you have the perfect opportunity to take advantage of them!

Sure, it can be tough to juggle work and childcare at the same time. But if you can find a way to make learning fun for your kids, they’ll be entertained and engaged while you get your work done.

Here are a few tips on how to take advantage of teachable moments

1. Be prepared with materials. Whether it’s a book about dinosaurs or a worksheet on addition, having materials on hand will help you jump on teaching opportunities when they arise.

2. Make it interactive. Kids learn best when they’re actively involved in the learning process. So, instead of just lecturing them on a topic, ask them questions, get them moving around, and let them experiment.

3. Keep it short and sweet. Little ones have short attention spans. So try to keep your lessons brief and focused on one specific concept. You can always build on what you’ve taught later down the road.

4. Use everyday situations as teaching moments. If your child spills their milk at breakfast, use it as an opportunity to talk about cause and effect. If they’re fighting with their sibling over a toy, turn it into a lesson on sharing and compromise.

Taking advantage of teachable moments is a great way to make learning fun for your kids and keep them engaged while you work from home. Plus, you’ll be able to help your child develop important skills. These will benefit them in the future!

Working from home while kids are around can be challenging. But with some creative and resourceful approaches, you can make it work. The key is to provide activities that will keep the kids entertained and engaged while allowing you the time and space to remain productive. By taking advantage of online resources, developing a schedule for independent playtime, involving them in your work, and using a combination of boredom-busters like crafts or games, you should be able to stay on top of your work and also ensure that your children have plenty of fun things to do.