Now is the best time to encourage independent play and learning!
How do I get my 3 year old to play alone? That’s a question, I’ve asked myself sometimes, especially when I needed to work from home. These 6 super easy, SCREEN-FREE and super quick to set up toddler activities help me anytime to avoid the “mommy, mommy” calls and my participation in every activity my 3 year old is doing. Works great for us! Give them a try!
How do I get my 3 year old to play alone?
So, if you are wondering how to get your toddler to play alone, so you can work, check out these 6 toddler activities and these three simple ways that work for us:
- Let them find something safe, that they find fun and engaging.
- Never interrupt!
- Always keep an eye on them.
For inspiration, we share our experience here and the favourite independent play activities of our little one.
6 ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENT PLAY
1. Water activities (30 min – 1 hour)
From our experience – water activities are just a great way to keep toddlers busy, focused and safe. The best thing about them – toddlers can do these water activities alone.
The worst that can happen is to get wet, which is pretty good in the summer. Check out these 10 activities with water that will keep your toddler busy for hours.
2. Dance (30 min – 1 Hour)
Kids love dancing. Make them dance a choreographed dance and musical in front of a mirror. The use of the mirror improves proprioception and it’s an important instrument to improve stability.
You can create a playlist with the favourite songs of your toddler and let them do their freestyle dance. Let them find their favourite partner.
Our little one for example loves Frozen. He can sing and dance for hours. This is not only great gross motor activity but also another hour of my time.
3. Puzzles (30 min – 1 hour)
We use different jumbo puzzles for our little one with 30 pieces. He just loves them. Get your toddler hooked on a puzzle and they can do it over and over again.
4. Sensory Bins and bags (30 min – 1 hour)
Indoor or outdoors, sensory bins and bags are not only education, but a great way to explore the world with our senses.
5. Gross Motor Activities (1 Hour)
Gross motor activities are a MUST for your daily toddler routine – the longer the better. You can set them up in less than a minute and your little one will for sure play independently for hours.
For inspiration check our indoor gross motor activities!
6. Fine Motor Activities (1 Hour)
Fine motor activities are the second MUST for your daily toddler routine – the longer the better. You can set them up easily in the form of art activities, sensory bags, sensory bins and your little one will for sure play independently for hours.
For inspiration check our fine motor activities!
They keep your toddler busy, fit and happy. Daily.
Happy Independent Playing!