Homeschooling can be hard when you have littles ones running around and being distracting. Although they are adorable and their antics hilarious, sometimes there just needs to be a bit more peace so that the older children can concentrate.
Busy boxes are boxes that contain activities that young children can undertake with very little or no parental involvement. The key to being successful at keeping little ones entertained is providing variety as well as opportunities for open ended play.
Open ended play allows the toy or resource to have multiple purposes. This makes the enjoyment from a toy last longer. They can reuse it over and over again without it losing appeal. For example one day they may use blocks to create a house, the next day the blocks are being used to make robots etc. Toys that have one distinct purpose tend to lose their appeal much quicker.
How to Use Busy Boxes
Busy boxes can be used at any point in the day but generally reserved for times when you need a bit of peace.
When you are ready to get out your busy boxes, set up your child somewhere within eye sight and get them engaged in play. Once they are playing then you can move away and get on with the tasks that you need to complete.
The time a child will stay focused on a busy box activity varies. Young children have very short attention spans which I am sure you are painfully aware of! Some activities will occupy them for only 5-10 minutes where as others will have them engrossed in play for an hour or more. It will be a bit of trial and error to determine which type of activities your children enjoy the most.
A lot of parents choose to organise different boxes for each day of the week or to rotate the activities regularly to give the children lots of variation. Pre organising activities in labeled week day boxes is a great way to keep your week running smoothly too.
Busy Box Ideas
Magnet Tiles
Magnet tiles are always at the very top of my list for children in this age range. They offer something a bit different than the traditional blocks and are fantastic for brain development.
I have warned previously that it is important to buy good quality tiles. We have purchased a cheaper knock off brand before and they broke easily and the little magnets are very easy to swallow which can be very dangerous for children. I would recommend buying Magnatiles. These are high quality and very well made, and much safer due to their manufacturing process. They are a little more expensive but definitely worth it for peace of mind.
My toddlers and preschooler will play with these for over an hour easily. We have also taken them on flights, cruises and to church with great results. Perfect for long waits in airport terminals as they pack up easily and compactly.
Blocks
Blocks are the epitomy of open ended play. I really love the wooden blocks as opposed to the plastic because of their longevity. They will last for generations.
Duplo or another similar type block is also a fantastic addtion to any busy box collection. The interlocking pieces make them much more sturdier than wooden blocks.
Play Doh
My children will play for hours with play doh. I have a busy box shelf that is entirely dedicated to play doh and play doh sets for my three year old. I think play doh is his love language!
I used to make my own play doh but I found that it was harder to clean up and even harder to get out of carpet. The play doh brand stuff comes out easily. Just one of those things that makes my life easier.
When I do have the children playing with play doh I like them to be up at the table where I am working. They are generally quiet and focused so not at all distracting to the big kids.
Scissors and Glue
This one is always popular with the preschoolers. Learning to cut is a vital skill and this task helps them build on their fine motor skills. It requires a great deal of concentration.
In a busy box like this you can include a pair of child safe scissors, a glue stick and a variety or different chopping materials. These might include different types of paper, string, straws, foam sheets etc. They can then either glue these together or on to a separate piece of paper.
Threading Practice
A threading busy box contains all sorts of objects that can be threaded on to a string. I found it was important to tie a button or something at the end of the string so all their hard work threading doesn’t just fall off the other end! Yes, the tears and frustration are very real here!
Threading objects:
- Beads of various sizes and shapes
- Dry pasta
- Cherrios
- Cut up straws
- Buttons (look for ones with big holes)
Lacing boards also fit into this category. Melissa and Doug sell some really great an adorable lacing boards. They are high quality so will last a few children. Lacing boards are easy and effective busy activities that you can quickly pack to take on the go.
Tangrams
Tangram puzzles are more age appropriate for the older preschooler but are very fun. They are also beneficial for older children too. It is always good when you can purchase something that will span across different age groups.
In a tangram busy box you can include a set of tangrams along with some patterns to copy or let them design their own. My littlest ones prefer to make their own creations where as the older ones like to follow intricate patterns.
Dinosaur Dig
One really fun independent activity that keeps children occupied for a good amount of time is a dino dig. It isn’t technically a busy box but it accomplishes the same purpose. This can be done in two ways.
The first is to fill a container with water then add in various mini dinosaurs. Freeze the container, once the water is frozen let your child child try and free the dinosaurs with a little hammer or screw driver.
The second way is a bit more exciting because you can’t see what you are digging for. Fill a container with plaster of paris and add in the dinosaurs. Push them down so that you can’t see them. Once the plaster is set, let them go searching for their dinosaurs.
Tooth Picks and Pool Noodles
This one is cheap and easy, which is what we all like! All you need to do is purchase a packet of toothpicks and a cheap pool noodle.
Cut the noodle up into smaller pieces or varying shapes and sizes. Your child will love all the different creations they can make. This activity is great for their imagination and open ended play. The tiny toothpicks are also really good for fine motor skills and finger strength which is important for in a few years time when they are learning to write.
Stickers
Stickers are the perfect way to work on those fine motor skills. Even as an adult I can sometimes have issues trying to get a sticker off the page!
Stickers are a cheap and easy way to keep a toddler or preschooler busy. You can make it super easy for them by buying a packet of stickers and letting them simply just putt hem on the paper. If you wanted to make it a bit more complicated for older children you could purchase a sticker book that requires the children to find the correct place for the sticker, a bit like a puzzle.
Puzzles
A collection of puzzles make for great busy boxes. Since there is a wide range of levels for puzzles choose one that is appropriate for your child. The thicker wooden puzzles are great for toddlers whereas you may want to choose something a little more complicated and with more pieces for older preschoolers.
There are so many different types of busy boxes that you can put together. The sky is really the limit. The main points that you want to remember is to include as many open ended activities that you can and to make sure that they can be completed independently.
