Beauty Through Imperfection

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How to teach your kids to have fun by themselves

Getting a toddler to play quietly for 30 minutes (or more) every day does seem a bit like magic doesn’t it? I can still vividly remember having two wild and crazy toddler on my hands, and for a long time the concept of quiet was like a distant dream, quiet was like a distant dream, until I discovered closet toys.

Closet toys are how I taught my toddlers how to play and have fun all by themselves. 

You see, my house goes crazy from 5pm-7pm. It’s like both kids completely lose their minds. I’m cooking dinner, my husband isn’t home yet, every one is getting sleepy and the kids go nuts! One will fuss, and the other will start fussing too, but louder to be sure they get attention first. It’s crazy.

This is where the magical thing that I like to call “special closet toys” comes in. I keep a box of toys in our hall closet that ONLY come out when I need time to get something done, like dinner cooked or laundry folded. I take the kids to the closet and let him choose one special toy. They get to play with that toy while I get my work done. The fact that they doesn’t have access to these toys all the time makes them special and exciting to them.

On a normal day they will sit and play by themselves with a closet toy for around 30 minutes. Just enough time to get dinner in the oven! They might come and ask me a few questions or show me what they are doing, but that is much easier to handle than having them constantly under foot, wanting bites of everything I’m preparing and/or fussing for attention.

 
This is why I call them magical. Because when you have little ones 30 quiet minutes is better than magic! 
Toddler smiling and laughing alone - the best way to teach your child to play alone

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How to teach your child to play alone

Ready to make your own independent playtime closet? Here are the BEST things to put inside it!

Noisy toys for independent playtime

Anything obnoxiously noisy – SO MANY kid toys come with loud annoying sound affects. I keep the loudest and most annoying in the closet. I can endure squeaking or other undesirable noises for 30mins to an hour if it means I get to make dinner without being interrupted 5,000 times. And keeping those toys in the closet keeps them from being able to drive you crazy with squeakiness whenever they want. It’s a win-win!

Try this fun music set to use in your noisy closet toy collection! 

Toys with a lot of pieces

Some toys come in “sets” and the little pieces will inevitably get lost if you aren’t watching the kids while they play with the toys to be sure everything is put up properly. I keep things like our “little people” house set in the closet, that way all the people, cars, furniture etc. stays together and is more fun to play with!

This Little People playset is a great first toy for your closet collection! 

Put simple crafts in the play closet

Even if your toddler is too young to play with glue or paint by themselves, you can put in new coloring sheets (print some legit Disney ones here to stock up your closet!). You can also put interesting things for the toddler to color on such as an old toilet paper roll, a sheet of sand paper or even a small cardboard box. Kids love the chance to color something other than paper!

Toy cleaning equipment

Kids love the chance to use the broom or dusters. Keep some cleaning equipment especially for the toddlers put away in a closet and when you need a moment to yourself pull them out! I’ve yet to find a toddler than can effectively clean much of anything, but you’ll still enjoy a few moments of quiet while they give it their best try!

Cooking tools

One thing toddlers love, is to pretend to cook! I always keep our non-fragile cooking gear down low where the toddlers can reach it. While I cook, they often play with plastic food containers or pots and pans.

You’d be surprised to know how much fun kids can have with something as simple as a big mixing bowl and a wisk or even a set of measuring cups. Keep some specifically for your toddler in the closet and you’ll be sure to have a few extra minutes of peace every time you pull them out!

This 19-piece measuring cup and spoon set is the PERFECT place to start for kids! 

This colorful wisk set is great for kids too! 

 

My friend Kara has even MORE activities that promote independent toddler play right here!

independent playtime
It doesn’t always work, but closet toys are a type of mama-magic that I can almost always depend on to give me a few minutes of peace.
 
pinterest-pipe-cleaners-toddler-entertainment
 
What about you? do you have any “magical” tips for moms? How do you handle the “crazy hours” before bedtime? I always love hearing your input!!!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. I love this idea. I need to get one for my boys. I have a 30 minutes free time rule afterschool (computer/tv/xbox) and then nothing until 7 pm. I have to admit that when they go batty, I put on a Baby Einstein movie to get that last 30 minutes of dinner ready. All the kids, including the 9 year old, quietly watch it. It gives me peace of mind and peace of sanity.

    PS I haven’t visisted in a while but Congratulations on the little one. I am so excited for you. I will have to read back later on your birth story. :)

    Reply

  7. We have a similar set up for those times when I have to get something done on a deadline – it’s mommy’s treasure chest – right now it’s mostly coloring and glitter stuff. but in the past it’s been tool sets, train tracks/trains, anything really – I rotate every once in while. Truly a life saver! Glad you shared this – it’s good to know what other mama’s are doing to get through

    Marissa

    Reply

    • yes! it is pipe cleaners with a a collander. I got the idea from pinterest! I was amazed at how difficult it was for a little guy, but it has really helped him with his motor skills !

      Reply

  9. YEP! I had a box of toys that were only used when I needed to work too! I’m so THRILLED to be your 100th follower! I found you thru the “Monday Meetup”
    Tif
    Ramblings of a Southern Belle

    Reply

  10. I’ll have to mention this idea to my husband. We recently transitioned from me being at home to him home with the 3 & 1 year old. I have found they are a lot less clingy to him, but there are still times he needs to get stuff done. Great idea!

    Reply

  12. Love this! Adam is good at playing by himself a lot of days, but sometimes not at the time I need him too – like dinner time lol. I will definitely be trying this! :)

    Reply

  13. this is a great idea. we do something similar while doing school with the older kids. The 2 toddlers sit and play and i change the activity every 15-30 minutes.

    Reply

  15. Love this – just have one thing to add: sticker books or, maybe even better, he has a special sicker box and when I find packets of stickers going cheap in the shops I buy some and he can stick them on himself or the box or the sticker books but NOWHERE ELSE!!! 4:30-6 is a killer, I find myself watching the clock and willing the hands to move faster! Glad I’m not the only one! X

    Reply

  16. For some reason I just see my 3 1/2 year old going to the closet to get them out whenever he wanted ;) Ha! Sadly, I opt for a movie or a quiet show… or I let him play cushions (where he gets to build forts and jump on the couch cushions). Or he goes up to his room to play with his blocks. Little Miss is harder to entertain. When she’s hungry, nothing will appease her. So on weeknights, dinner must be ready within 10 minutes of getting home or she has a full-on hissy fit. :(

    Reply

  18. This is a great idea! :) We don’t have a closet we can keep these in, but we could keep a special box of toys in another room. Love this and fingers crossed it works with my 19 month old. ;)
    Thank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!

    Reply

  21. Hi Paula

    I love it! Im going to dig out a box of magical toys now. Sometimes I’d stand on my head for 30 minutes to do something.
    Thanks for sharing with us at our Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.

    Angel

    Reply

  23. We have several “sets” of toys that I can’t leave out all the time, but then usually never come out. This is a good solution to my dilemma. Thanks for sharing. Stopping by from the Pincentive blog hop!

    Reply

  24. Great tips! I do the same thing. I rotate my little one’s toys. So when I need to get something done, I pull out a toy she hasn’t seen in awhile and voila; it’s like a new toy to her! It keeps her busy for at least 30 minutes :o) Thanks so much for linking up to The PINcentive Blog Hop and I hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday!

    croppedstories@gmail.com

    Reply

  25. Great post! My 5 yr old just started full day Kindergarten last week & my 2 yr old is slightly lost without her, some hidden treasures could help out! Found your post at Mostly Homemade Mom :)

    We’d love to have you link this post at our SUPER SUNDAY Link Party, live through Tuesday evening.

    Lori
    Who Needs A Cape?
    Not Your Average Super Moms…

    Reply

  26. Omg I thought I was the only one this happens to! I am so glad to hear my family is not as dysfunctional as I thought and that it’s “normal” Lol. :) These are great tips, I need to find stuff that will work for my girls. Visiting from Agape Love Designs Pinterest Party.

    Reply

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  30. Oh, that 5:00 pm hit of madness . . . it happens at my house too :) That’s a great idea, thanks for sharing. My favorite part of this post though is your top picture–I had that Fisher Price house when I was a kid!

    Reply

  32. This is a great idea. And, by the way, I had that EXACT little people house growing up! I loved it! Great memories seeing that again :)

    Reply

  33. I use a similar idea,a special bag/backpack (one for each child) with small toys, coloring book/crayons/colored pencils, books, games like pen and paper (I’ve made a notebook of these with all the supplies) or travel games. It is used just for outings like siting in line for after school pick up, programs for older child(ren) at school, eating out or vacation travel, anywhere that challenges their attention span. It’s easy to change out items to keep it interesting. It keeps the preschooler or child released earlier busy and distracted while waiting.

    Reply

  35. I definitely relate to this post! I have some of my boys’ toys, puzzles, games, arts & crafts type of things in the closet (actually upstairs and downstairs) as well and I pull them out as needed! I understand that crazy time between 5-7 because my husband is also working and it takes all the tricks in the book to get dinner made! Pinning this post!

    Reply

  36. This is great but I would be afraid of the fits and fall-out when it came time to put the closet toys away! I have two-year old twin girls and a three-year old son who are all particularly spirited and willful :)

    Reply

  40. The lone crafter. This is something I have always loved doing.

    Giving my kids a bucket of colored chalk and walking away(not too far) only to come back some time later to see this magical story they have drawn out in the driveway.

    Reply

  43. what a great post! love this idea :)
    thanks for sharing a great article

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  50. This is such a great idea! I love the concept of “closet toys” and how it creates a special and exciting experience for the kids while giving parents a much-needed break. I’m definitely going to try this with my little ones. Thanks for sharing such practical and creative tips!

    Reply

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  57. Yes. You are so right. We should have some special toys or crafts on hand to pull out when we need to keep kids occupied. Playing by themselves and engaging in self play are important skills. And keeping some things special is a great habit anyway!

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  62. Great idea about using closet toys for quiet time! I’ve found that having a mix of physical activities and simple mental games works wonders. For screen time that feels productive, we sometimes use Funboxie (https://funboxie.com) for quick logic puzzles. It’s a nice balance to keep them engaged without getting too hyped up.

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  63. It’s so important to teach kids that boredom can be a gateway to creativity! My kids started building their own little worlds with blocks, which actually got them interested in Hytale Game (https://hytalegame.fun). Seeing them transition from physical building to digital creativity has been amazing. Closet toys are definitely the first step!

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  64. This is such a helpful article! I love the idea of closet toys to encourage independent play. It’s amazing how simple changes can make such a big difference in a child’s day. Thanks for sharing these practical tips!

    Reply

  66. I really like the idea here, turning something as simple as closet toys into a fun, creative experience for kids. It’s a good reminder that play doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Honestly, figuring out what works probably comes with a few Wacky Steps, but that’s part of the magic too.

    Reply

  67. The magic of closet toys is interesting and you are having the best details for us here. I saw it works and brings the amazing solution that we are required to have.

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  68. The closet toy strategy is brilliant—restricting access really does create that special excitement that holds a toddler’s attention. I’ve noticed the same principle works with audio; my niece calms down instantly with gentle background sounds, and I’ve started using https://freeasmr.net for her quiet time since the whisper stories keep her occupied without screens.

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  72. Finding quiet time for yourself while the kids are busy is such a great strategy. I find that when they are occupied with their special toys, I can finally relax with a hobby. I personally enjoy playing this 麻雀ゲーム to unwind during those precious thirty minutes of peace.

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  74. The ‘closet toys’ idea is an absolute lifesaver! That 5pm-7pm arsenic hour is so real, and having a secret stash of novel toys is the only way I can get dinner on the table without a total meltdown. Honestly, if you’re looking for a simple, fun digital game that gives you that same kind of relaxing, quiet break, you should definitely check out スイカゲーム.

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