The easiest way to keep kids busy at home (and get more things done)
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You’ve been there: scrolling Instagram, saving another “perfect” activity idea, only to feel overwhelmed when it’s time to actually make it happen.
The prep takes too long, your kids lose interest in five minutes, and you’re left with a mess to clean up.
You’re not alone.
As moms, we’re already juggling so much, and keeping our kids busy at home shouldn’t feel like another task on our to-do list.
A simple solution for more independent, creative play at home
I remember those days all too well.
When my oldest son was a preschooler, I felt like I was constantly scrambling to keep him entertained while trying to manage everything else.
Some days, by the time bedtime rolled around, I realized I hadn’t had a single moment to myself—and I was completely drained.
That’s when I discovered a simple solution that changed everything: invitations to play.
When I first started setting up invitations to play, I wasn’t sure how much of a difference they would make. But it didn’t take long for me to notice the transformation.
My son would light up with curiosity as he explored the materials I set out for him. Instead of constantly asking for my attention, he was happily playing on his own.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I had a few minutes to breathe — or even tackle my to-do list without interruptions.
If you’re tired of constantly entertaining your kids or feeling like you can never get anything done, I can’t recommend invitations to play enough.
They’re simple, low-prep setups that inspire kids to explore, create, and play independently—no screens required.
Why invitations to play work
Invitations to play aren’t just another activity idea — they’re a game-changer for busy moms.
Once you start building a habit of preparing simple invitations to play for your kids, setting up activities will become a lot easier, so you’ll spend less time looking for ideas and more time being present with your kids.
The best thing about setting up invitations to play is that once you have a system in place, you won’t need more than 10 minutes to prepare them.
An invitation to play is a simple set up of play materials inviting the kids to explore without any pre-defined result in mind. An invitation to create is a simple set up of materials inviting the kids to get creative any way they want.
- They’re quick to set up: With the right system, you can prepare them in less than 10 minutes.
- They spark creativity and curiosity: Kids love exploring open-ended setups that let them decide how to play.
- They encourage independence: Instead of needing constant guidance, your kids take the lead in their play.
- They give you a moment to breathe: While your kids are happily engaged, you can focus on yourself—or finally tackle that to-do list.
Below you can find an easy step-by-step process to help you get started.
How to easily prepare invitations to play for your kids
Here is how you can easily start preparing invitations to play for your kids and enjoying more playfulness and creativity in your home:
Step 1 |Organize your play materials
Find a spot in your home where you can keep materials for invitations to play.
This could include art supplies, building blocks, playdough, or nature items like sticks and stones. Having everything in one place makes it easy to grab what you need without searching.
Step 2 | Prepare trays and containers to set up the activities
Presentation matters!
Using trays or shallow containers helps make the setup look inviting to your kids. Plus, it makes cleanup easier — just return everything to the tray when playtime is over.
When it comes to creating invitations to play, the way you present the materials play a big role.
The play prompts need to look inviting to get the kids interested in exploring them.
Step 3 | Keep things simple and fun
Less is more. Choose just a few materials to include in each setup so your kids don’t feel overwhelmed.
When kids have only a few materials to choose from, they have more opportunities to get creative and use their imagination.
For example, you could pair playdough with a few cookie cutters or offer paper and markers for a drawing activity.
Also, always think of ways to make the play prompt fun for your kids. You can do this by focusing on a theme they like, including a toy or material they enjoy using, or sparking their curiosity with something new they never tried before.
⭐ If you are looking for activities to try with your kids, check out this set of activity cards that will make it easy for you to set up engaging invitations to play in less than 10 minutes.
Step 4 | Choose the right time and place
Set up the play prompt in a clutter-free spot where your kids can play close to you.
Some of the best times to try this are in the morning, after school, or while you’re preparing dinner.
Step 5 | Let the kids take the lead
Once the invitation is ready, step back and let your kids explore. They might not use the materials the way you expect, and that’s okay!
The goal is to give them the freedom to play their way.
Don’t try to direct their play or tell them what they should do with the materials. Play doesn’t need to feel like a “task” for them to complete, but an opportunity for them to explore.
When the kids finish playing, take some time to connect with them. Ask them questions about what they created, tell them what you noticed while they played, and talk about what they enjoyed the most.
These conversations will not only help you get closer to your kids, but also provide you with inspiration for creating more invitations to play.
Want to make this even easier?
When it comes to preparing invitations to play for your kids, the more you do this, the easier and quicker it gets to set them up.
Once you discover what your kids like, setting up one invitation to play every day will take you less than 10 minutes (or you can even plan a whole week of invitations to play in 30 minutes).
Also, after exploring your invitations to play for a while, the kids will be inspired to come up with more play ideas on their own, which will bring even more independent play time to your home.
You don’t need a brand new idea every day. Once you discover what types of activities keep your kids engaged the most, you can repeat them and create similar activities with just a few simple changes.
How to get ideas to try with your kids:
I know how overwhelming it can feel to come up with new ideas every day.
That’s why I created a set of activity cards filled with quick, low-prep invitations to play.
This set takes the guesswork out of setting up invitations to play. These cards are designed to make playtime effortless, even on your busiest days — because you deserve a break too.
These cards make it easy to keep your kids engaged without spending hours planning or prepping.
⭐ Get your set of activity cards here.
Start Small and Build a Habit
You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to see a difference. Start with just one invitation to play each day. Once you discover what types of activities your kids enjoy most, setting them up will become second nature.
Before long, you’ll have a go-to system that makes independent play a regular part of your days — giving you more calm, more joy, and more time for yourself.