3 Proven Ideas to Keep Kids Busy Indoors Without the Use of Television or Video Games

Finding ways to keep kids busy long enough for adults to finish necessary tasks like housework can be a real challenge. Kids often jump from one activity to another in fairly short time, eventually becoming disruptive to parents who are trying to get things done around the house, or simply even just trying to have a complete conversation with each other. As a homeschooling mom with three kids at home, I run across this challenge often. When our schoolwork is done and I need to get other things done around the house without too many interruptions, I need constructive activities that will keep the kids busy for more than just a few minutes, without the use of television or video games. If you need ideas for keeping kids busy around the house so that you can get other things done, the following suggestions can help!

Play-Doh can be your best friend when you need to keep your kids busy - It has surprised me to hear quite a few other parents say to me over the years that they wouldn't buy Play-Doh for their kids because they didn't want the mess. Play-Doh can be an absolute lifesaver when you need to keep the kids busy! Yes, sometimes it falls onto the carpet, but then it dries into little bits that are easily picked up or vacuumed. Play-Doh cleanup is really no big deal, and the fact that it can keep kids busy for hours at a time makes any cleanup more than worth the trouble. Did I say hours? Yes I did! There are days when my three kids will play cooperatively with each other for up to three hours at a time using Play-Doh! Usually it's closer to two hours, but that still affords a parent plenty of time to attend to other things. Play-Doh is a great thing to have around because it keeps kids thinking creatively, working with their hands, and away from the television and video games. You may find, as I have, that the more shape-making and sculpting tools you provide with the Play-Doh, the longer your kids will play.

Don't underestimate the power of pipe cleaners - You read that right, pipe cleaners. You know, those fuzzy, twisty wires that come in all sorts of colors? I generally hand each kid about half a dozen and they will literally sit and make creations with pipe cleaners for about an hour, sometimes longer. Again, it's another activity that keeps the kids busy for a while which doesn't involve video games or television; a win-win situation for everybody.

Pull out the glue, paper punches, and construction paper - These items will create a mess, but they can also keep kids busy for a couple of hours at a time. Once again, my goal is usually to find an activity that will keep my kids busy long enough for me to get my work done, but that doesn't involve television or video games. Hand each child a sheet of each color offered in your pack of construction paper, a glue stick, and any paper punches that you have (note: these can often be found in various fun designs at your local dollar tree, so stock up!).

Keeping kids busy for any substantial amount of time without the use of television or video games can be tricky. So try one of these ideas the next time you find yourself needing to calm your rowdy bunch!