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30 Oct
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Grab a few moments to yourself with our hands-on Mom guide to quiet time activities for preschoolers that are perfect for 4 Year old’s!
We’re making the most of quiet time, now that there’s no nap time, with these quiet activities!
I just don’t want to let go of that time to myself yet, and I’m sure I’m not the only parent feeling this way.
I am a very lucky mom and Henry plays in his room quietly while the other two boys are napping. He has a few toys and books in there, and can seriously entertain himself for hours.
Yes, very lucky mom here.
However, I want to make the most of that quiet time for him with activities geared to preschoolers, so he’s not just bored.
Even though he entertains himself well, I can tell when he wasn’t very entertained during nap time.
On those days, he comes from his room wired!
Quiet Time Activities for Preschoolers
I am learning to have quiet activities appropriate for preschoolers, 3 – 4 year old’s, ready that he can do during this time.
Not only do they have to be quiet, but they have to be done independently.
That means on his own, no help from me.
As we’re getting used to this new quiet time routine, I’ve been building a stash of busy play activities and toys that the boys can do on their own.
Quiet Time Activities for Preschoolers We’ve Tried with a 4 Year Old
- Puzzles: Lots and lots of puzzles. Henry usually does two puzzles during nap time and leaves them up until the next day where he takes them apart and does two different ones.
- Books: I set outactivity books, such as Things That Go, as well as familiar reading books. I love how these activity books can be found in every theme out there to easily tailor to your preschoolers interests for quiet times!
- Blocks: We’re starting to get into the “real” LEGO® block sets that follows directions to build something. This has become a favorite. Also in this category are Arc-a-Teks that make little robots. They’re a little easier than the classic small LEGO blocks.
- Coloring Books:I set out pages, like this winter coloring set, with markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Another classic quiet time activity for 4 year old’s. He usually just works on part of a page each nap time and moves onto something else since he’s not a huge colorer.
- Dry erase activity board: We’ve had this for a while and haven’t really used it much until we started doing quiet time. It’s been great for him to practice his writing and reviewing letters.
- Photo block building: We haven’t had an issue with noise with this yet. But I may make some sponge blocks that I saw on Inner Child Fun.
- Sticky mosaics pictures: These are perfect activities for preschoolers during quiet time. As well as before dinner when it starts to get hectic. We have the vehicle set, but there are different kinds too!
- Magnetic shape building: We’ve used Imaginets while traveling. It’s fun to make what the card says, but also to explore what else they can make with their imagination! You Clever Monkey. uses another version of these that aren’t magnetic.
- Word Play: Practice spotting the word, letters, letter sounds, or whatever stage of reading your child is at. Look in books, magazines, on packages, or just around the room.
But I can see these are starting to lose their appeal as we do them day after day. So I’m on hunting for more activities for preschoolers that Henry can do on his own in his room, quietly.
Quiet Time Busy Activities For 4 Year Old’s on My To-Try List
- Weaving: Buggy and Buddy sets up a weaving station for kids to quietly weave ribbon back and forth.
- Writing: I’d like to create a journal for Henry to jot down notes or draw pictures of what’s going on each day. Buggy and Buddy uses it as a Poetry Journal to work on rhyming andrhythm.
- Matching Sticks: Matching up popsicle sticks by colorfrom Toddler at Play looks like a great quiet time activity for preschoolers too. I think I’d include some blank popsicle sticks too. And markers for him to come up with his own matching halves. That could get interesting.
- Shape Matching: For the Love of Learning has a shape matching activity with the shapes in different colors. I think I would set it up as a shape matching activity, but I’d expect Henry to go on and make patterns with shapes and colors as well. It could really keep him busy.
- Felt Play Sets: Felt sets can be purchased, but are also super simple to DIY. I’d love to try this cute pizza idea from Glue To My Crafts!
- Play Mats: With just a few extra small toys, like cars or planes, toddlers might be able to enjoy these printable play mats from Free Time Frolics for hours. I think I’d keep this special. A just for quiet time only activity in order to keep my 4 year old’s interest.
These super simple busy bags are another great option to add into our quiet time activities since they are ideal for preschoolers too!
What are your go-to busy play activities for your kids? We’d love to collect more of your genius ideas!
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About Jamie Reimer
Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram!
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Reader Interactions
40 Comments
Cheryl L. Huete says
It’s interesting knowing we are on pandemic so kids continue to explore And enjoy indoor activities
It helps a lot.. but I only chose activities with the easy-to-get materials in our place.And also it helps me in my early childhood education training..to Cheryl L. Huete" aria-label='reply to this comment to Cheryl L. Huete'>reply to this comment
Karen Boyd says
I am a grandmother, but I have been caring for my preschool grandchildren a lot, which is why I subscribe to this list. On the subject of naps I would offer some advice. I was a homeschooler when my children were young until they went to college. I realize that brick and mortar school children will give up naps soon after going to school. But at house our children took a rest on their beds for many many years. The only activities that were allowed were to look at or read books or magazines. Invariably, to my son’s dismay, they would fall asleep, if the morning had been active enough. When they were young they hated it but when they were older they liked the break. One key is that the house needs to be quiet, so the mom, dad, or caretaker needs to be quiet too. I would often play some soothing music and do desk work while they rested. I did not try to catch up on cleaning etc.
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Rebecca Vaagenes says
With my oldest who was very rambunctious LOVED a pop up tent in her room with a flashlight and a bag full of quiet time goodies just for her. She’d often play herself to sleep in there. Reminds me I need a new one for my almost 4 year old who hasn’t been napping all school year!
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happy room says
Your blog and ideas is a big help for preschool teachers like me. It also inspires me to be more creative in teaching kids. Thank you so much!!!
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Vicky Sanchez says
Sounds great! I look forward to getting the information and ideas.
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Smita Pandit says
Hi Jamie.
I love your website and the various new activities you introduce every week,are so amazing.
I am running a preschool here and have mixed age group classrooms where I have 1.8 years old boy who shows disinterest in any activity whether it is fine motor or gross motor.I feel so helpless sometimes to make him engage in the school so that other children don’t get disturb.
Please do suggest me some ideas where I can make him engage.
Thanks
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Becca says
I am wondering if there are some ideas that cater to more high-energy, intense personality types. While these are all great ideas I try to do with my toddler, almost preschooler, she is either at an age or has a personality that dislikes structured, sit down activities. She wants to move and pretend almost all the time. I feel lucky when I can get her to sit down and focus on an activity like these for 10-20 minutes. Any ideas for “quiet” time for this type of movement-seeking child.
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Kemi says
Thanks very much for the great ideas posted. I’m thinking that since it’s summer the kids can actually play out in the garden or help to do some garden work.
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Priya says
What a lovely post!! Was looking for something similar to keep my almost 4 years old busy on her own. For us, play dough, magnetic puzzles, lego and books work well.
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Jasmine says
I found this post on Pinterest and love it! Exactly what I need right now with my nearly 4 year old watching pbs for a half hour then asking “can I be done?” and watch and repeat. So thank you for this!
I did want to suggest for audio books, I’m not sure how long typical kids audio books are but I’ve found a website youtube dash mp3 dot org where you can convert YouTube videos into mp3s. I looked up children’s books with the phrase “read aloud”, found great stories my son is familiar with, lasting typically 4-6 min long. They were great for our cross country road trip this summer! And free!to Jasmine" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jasmine'>reply to this comment
Rose says
Thank you for posting this! Quiet time is a mama’s sanity saver. I’ve read somewhere that a mama does quiet time no matter what age (homeschooler). For older kids it’s more of a reading time but they can also work on a project like sewing or scrapbooking. I thought that was a marvelous idea and have decided to never stop having an afternoon quiet time. I also have bins for each child that they helped decorate. Each has age appropriate activities, books, toys. Although my youngest doesn’t use his as much since he still takes naps :)
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Jamie Reimer says
I agree Rose. I think quiet time is still a must as they get older. They need that down time to regroup I think.
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Veens @ Our Ordinary Life says
Just recently I did a post on some of the activities we vbeen doing for quiet time as well. Naps are getting to be a rarity here too. But I love your ideas as well, pinning it!
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Jamie Reimer says
Off to find yours, thanks!
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K says
Lacing cereal or beads!
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Runa says
You can make your own audio books too very easily and we have a subscription to Sparkle Stories. However, my almost 4 year old is bored with the stories and I am scrambling to try find some new activities!
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Karen says
We love some “audio books” for our quiet time
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Jamie Reimer says
Great idea on the audio books Karen! I will have to check some of those out from the library!
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Jeanette Nyberg says
I miss nap time so very, very much. My kids both gave up napping far too early, and I’ve been relying on quiet activities as an imperative way to keep me sane. These are great!
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Jamie Reimer says
What are you go to quiet activities Jeanette?
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