Let’s be honest, keeping little ones engaged without a screen in today’s hyper-digital world can feel like a superpower.
Whether you’re a work-from-home parent juggling Zoom calls or simply trying to create a more mindful parenting routine, finding ways to keep kids busy (without resorting to cartoons on loop) is a daily mission for many moms!
The good news? You don’t need a huge space, expensive toys, or elaborate plans.
With a mix of fun indoor activities, DIY crafts, and a little creativity, you can keep your kiddos joyfully engaged and support their development at the same time!
But First – Why Do Kids Get Bored So Easily?
It’s not because they’re not interested, it’s because their curious little minds are constantly growing!
Toddlers and young children thrive on novelty, movement, and connection. If we don’t offer age-appropriate ways to channel that energy, screens become the default!
But don’t worry, read through this post and we’re sure you’ll be able to change that.
1. Build a Busy Bag or Busy Basket
A lifesaver for Indian moms during chaotic mornings or calls with the boss!
A busy bag is a small box or pouch filled with toddler games, learning toys, or craft supplies your child can use independently.
Rotate the contents weekly to keep it exciting!
Toys you can include:
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Velcro shapes, lacing cards, wooden puzzles
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Colour sorting pom-poms with tongs
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Flashcards, shape spinners, wooden abacus
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Stickers, crayons, small board books
Perfect activities for screen-free parenting even in small apartments!
2. DIY Crafts for Kids Using Household Items
You don’t need to stock an art store to get crafty! You can do easy DIY crafts for preschoolers using what you already have at home.
Craft = fun + fine motor skill development!
Try these:
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Paper plate animals – Just add cotton, googly eyes, crayons
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Toilet roll characters – From kings to robots!
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Old magazine collages – Let them cut & paste away
Crafts are a fantastic way to build focus, self-expression, and provide a screen-free time pass!
3. Involve Kids in Real Life Tasks (Yes, House Chores)
Little hands love to help. Involving children in house chores builds responsibility and confidence.
Chores by age:
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Toddlers: Sorting laundry, putting away toys
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Preschoolers: Watering plants, dusting, folding napkins
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Older kids: Chopping soft veggies (with supervision), organising shelves
You’ll be surprised how much fun they have being independent!
4. Create a Simple Routine with Theme Days
Routines offer structure without monotony, a great parenting hack to keep children busy while working from home.
Example Weekly Theme:
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Monday: Craft day
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Tuesday: Story day (add puppets)
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Wednesday: Science experiment (volcano with vinegar)
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Thursday: Cooking/baking together
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Friday: Fort building & pretend play
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Saturday: Water play or sensory bin
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Sunday: Movie night or picnic
This gives your child something to look forward to every day while giving you predictability (and peace).
5. Set Up Play and Fun Stations Around the House
Transform a small space into a fun preschool corner. Perfect if you’re wondering how to keep kids occupied in small apartments or compact homes!
Station Ideas:
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Art corner (paper, stickers, crayons)
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Reading nook (pillows + books + soft light)
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Music & dance zone (pots, pans, shakers)
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Block corner (wooden blocks, train tracks)
Rotate activities every few days. Let your kids lead, this encourages independent play and creativity!
6. Bring in Open-Ended & Montessori Toys
Toys that do less often encourage more imagination. Invest in Montessori toys, we have plenty of options in India now!
Best Toys to Keep Toddlers Busy:
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Wooden pretend sets
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Colour sorting boards
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Animal twist puzzles
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Pretend play doctor sets
These support child development while keeping them engaged for longer stretches (bye bye clingy interruptions during work hours)
7. Make Storytime a Daily Ritual
Whether you’re reading classic folktales, Indian mythology, or silly rhyming books, story time for kids is magical!
Take it a step further with:
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Role play
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Shadow puppets
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DIY storytelling cards
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Reading in different accents and voices (trust us, kids love this)
It supports language development, focus, and emotional bonding.
8. Save These for Rainy Days or Holidays
Sometimes you just need a quick fix.
Indoor Games for Children:
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Treasure hunts
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Balloon tennis
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Ball toss into buckets
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Indoor obstacle course (pillows, tunnels)
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Laugh and dance
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Simon Says
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DIY bowling with water bottles
These are lifesavers when stepping out isn’t an option!
Bonus Parenting Tips & Hacks
Tip 1
Encourage boredom!
Yes! Sometimes a bit of boredom is what sparks independent play and imagination.
Tip 2
Try setting a timer for solo play.
Start with 10 minutes and build it up, this teaches patience and self-soothing!
Tip 3
Use screen time strategically.
Keep screens for winding down or learning.
Make it a treat, not the norm!
If you’ve been Googling:
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“how to keep kids engaged”
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“how to keep kids busy at home without TV”
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“how to engage kids without screen”
You are not alone, and yes, there are effective, nurturing ways to do it.
Whether it’s fun activities for kids at home, learning toys, or just building a playful routine, you don’t need perfection.
You need connection, curiosity, and a little bit of creativity sometimes.
Don’t Forget to Save This List!
Use it when the day gets overwhelming, the screens start calling, or your child says the dreaded “I’m bored” for the third time before breakfast.
With a little prep, you’ll not only keep your toddler busy but you’ll enjoy the process together.
And that’s what real parenting in India is all about.