Need to Work? These Activities Will Keep Your Kids Occupied

When you're logging into a conference call or racing to meet a deadline, there's always that little voice in the hallway: "Mom, can I have a snack?" or "Dad, will you help with this?" For parents working from home, balancing professional focus with attentive parenting can feel like walking a tightrope.

The answer isn’t just discipline. It’s intentional activity planning. Structuring your children’s time with meaningful and engaging activities such as reading, mini schedules, and hands-on toys can give you precious pockets of uninterrupted time and support your child’s growth.

This post shows how to create a focused routine for kids, explore effective activities, and discover tools like the Sillbird STEM building kit that fill those purposeful time slots.

1. Mini Daily Schedule for Kids

When you know you'll be working from home, try setting a dedicated work block, such as from 9:00 to 10:30. At the same time, consider giving your child a mini daily schedule. This is not about control. It’s about helping them stay focused and feel more independent. Here’s a sample:

This setup does three key things:

• Sets expectations: kids know what comes next, lowering resistance and anxiety.

• Scopes attention spans: 20–30 minute blocks align with developmental research on optimal focus length, especially for ages 8–12.

• Mixes mental and physical: alternating between moving, thinking, building, and resting keeps kids engaged and calm.

2. Surprise STEM Gift to Keep Kids Busy

Choose a gift that truly keeps kids engaged. It should not only give you uninterrupted work time but also bring joy and emotional satisfaction to your child. Don’t pick something at random. The best gifts encourage long-lasting focus, problem-solving, and creativity. Building toys are a great choice.

• Toy Guide Featuring STEM, Remote Control, and Building

Why recommend this brand’s toy? This isn’t about selling products, it’s about helping you see if it truly meets your needs.

What it includes:

• Multi-mode builds offer novelty, making kids want to rebuild again and again.

• Hands-on construction taps into Montessori learning theories—"the hand is the instrument of the mind" (Maria Montessori).

• Remote-controlled play provides instant reward and sustained engagement.

3. Enrolling Your Child in Interest Classes

Signing your child up for an interest class is a strategy you should definitely consider if you have regular working hours from home. First, let your child try out various activities to discover what they enjoy. Here are some popular options choose:

4. Find a “Time Buddy” to Share the Load

If you have a spouse or family member at home, try setting up a “take turns” system. One works while the other watches the kids, and then you switch. This shared structure helps reduce burnout for everyone involved.

If possible, consider trading “play dates” with a neighbor or friend. You watch their child for an hour today, and they return the favor tomorrow. Not only does this give both parents time to focus, but it also benefits children by encouraging social interaction in a safe, familiar setting.

According to the American Psychological Association, shared parenting responsibilities and community support are key factors in reducing parental stress and improving overall family well-being. As psychologist Dr. Laura Markham notes, “When parents feel supported, they’re more emotionally available to their children—and more effective in every area of life.”

5. Create an Independent Play Box

Prepare a special box filled with activities that your child can only access during your focused work time or virtual meetings. Include things like puzzles, coloring books, stickers, magnetic tiles, or a Sillbird robot kit—anything that encourages creativity and independent play. Refresh the contents every week to keep it feeling new and exciting.

Avoid including tablets, phone games, or short videos. While they might seem like an easy fix, digital devices often lead to more problems in the long run. Once children associate boredom with screen time, they’re more likely to crave it and become dependent. Overexposure can negatively impact emotional and cognitive development.

A 2023 study published in Pediatrics found that children with high levels of passive screen time showed increased irritability and difficulty focusing. Similarly, the Harvard Center on the Developing Child emphasizes that executive functions like self-regulation are best developed through structured, hands-on tasks, not by watching screens.

In other words, a well-designed play box not only keeps your child occupied but also builds skills that screens simply can’t provide.

6. Use Audio Stories or Kids' Podcasts

Introduce your child to engaging audio content through platforms like Brains On!, Wow in the World, or Spotify Kids. These shows are designed specifically for young minds, combining fun storytelling with educational themes about science, nature, and curiosity.

Let your child wear headphones and listen while drawing, building with blocks, or playing quietly. This keeps their hands busy and their minds engaged, without the overstimulation of screens.

Audio content has additional cognitive benefits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, listening to age-appropriate stories can help children improve their language skills, imagination, and attention span. Unlike video, audio storytelling encourages kids to visualize characters and settings on their own, which strengthens creativity and mental focus.