Working From Home? Here are 30 Busy Box Ideas By Age Group
If you’re one of the millions of parents currently working from home and getting interrupted every 20-30 seconds, we feel you! Here are our tried and trusted tips and tricks!
Adjusting to social-distancing is definitely going to take some time getting used to. From learning how to structure your day with kids while in isolation, to figuring out just how on earth you’re going to have that conference call without the sound of Frozen 2 in the background, we have a lot to sort out.
One of the tried and trusted things we love are busy boxes. Perfect for when parents need a moment to think, breathe, work, breastfeed, shower or simply stare vacantly at the wall, they are essentially a collection of super exciting toys that will keep your tot busy!
Depending on their age, your baby or child may still require a level of supervision. However, these are toys that are intended to keep your child’s attention and concentration for a longer period of time. The goal is to stretch out the time before you’re fully interrupted again.
You should keep your tot’s busy box in a basket or large box out of sight. You can tell them about these special toys, but only take them out to play with on certain occasions so they don’t lose interest. Want to see what our kids love playing with?
Scroll down to see our Busy Box Toy Picks by Age Group!
6 – 12 Month Busy Box Toy Ideas
Sensory toys are going to be your best friend from 6 – 12 months. Anything your baby can explore with their hands and mouths will help them develop a sense of the world around them, prepare them for solids and develop better hand-eye coordination.
PlanToys Sensory Tumbling Set
$25
Wee Gallery Color Me Bath Book
$12.95
Wee Gallery Sensory Clutch Ball
$38
Wee Gallery Soft Book – Friendly Faces
$12.95
Wee Gallery Meadow Activity Pad
$38.95
1 – 2 Years Busy Box Toy Ideas
Now that your baby is beginning to walk (and run), this is arguably one of the more difficult ages to keep busy! You can start to introduce more advanced toys that encourage problem solving and role-play.
PlanToys Shape Sorter
$15
Wooden Story Natural Shape Puzzle
$40
BabyNoise Double Maraca
$18
Available in more colors
Myum Vegetable Set
$115
2 – 3 Years Busy Box Toy Ideas
It’s no secret that toddlers are pretty much the definition of ‘on the move,’ which is why you’ll want toys that will make them stop and think! Try giving blocks, puzzles, and role playing toys. We find giving directives like – ‘see if you can make a village with those blocks’ or ‘see how many times you can solve the puzzle’ or ‘Can you set up a hospital for all of your stuffed animals?’ is helpful!
If the weather is warm, try setting up a play station in the sandbox, while you catch up on work emails!
Uncle Goose ABC Blocks
$58
Moulin Roty Doctor Valise Set
$40
Mudpuppy 4 Layer Wood Puzzle
$17.99
PlanToys Sand Play Set
$30
Petit Collage Doodle + Draw Elephant
$35
3 – 4 Years Busy Box Toy Ideas
From ages 3 – 4, attention spans are getting much better so creative and problem solving play can last longer. Kids are also less likely to parallel play at this point and engage more meaningfully with each other. Try providing toys that are challenging, versatile and fun to play with solo as well as with a sibling.
Twee Mason’s Planet Sidewalk Chalk
$39
Make Me Iconic Tea Set
$54,99
Olli Ella Pack N Play – Fairy Tale
$29.95
Olli Ella Pack N Play – Forest
$29.95
4 – 5 Years Busy Box Toy Ideas
By the age of four, your child is becoming increasingly independent, which means crafts like playdough don’t require a Hazmat team to clean up! They’re also in the peak imaginative play zone. While you may need to help them get started on a magical adventure in their room or backyard, their own little minds will handle the rest!
Make Me Iconic Healthy Tummy Brekkie
$74.99
Floss and Rock 80 Piece Jigsaw Shark Puzzle
$36
Dough Parlour Collector Set
$79
EXCLUSIVE
Modern Blocks Memory Game
$35
Petit Collage Magnetic Dress Up – Best Friends
$24
Petit Collage Dress Up – Superheroes
$24
Lunii My Fabulous Storyteller
$79.90
5 – 6 Years Busy Box Toy Ideas
Many kids around this age are probably missing getting to be in kindergarten or a more formal school setting, so providing toys that are educational and exciting are a must! Craft activities like lacing are great for honing fine motor skills, which are important for writing.
Modular Robotics Discovery Set
$139.95
Gardenuity My First Garden
$98
EXCLUSIVE
Moulin Roty Explorer’s Case
$65
Petit Collage Decoder Puzzle
$18
Bajo XL Dominos Set
$147.50
Continue exploring
- What we’re reading: How To Structure Your Day With Kids While You’re In Isolation
- Turning to screen time? Here are The Best Educational Apps, Games and TV Shows
