Sometimes kids need something they can do on their own — while you’re on a work call, cooking dinner, or just taking a breath.
Here’s a list of solo activities you can try with your child, grouped by age. Some are linked to full activity guides on Offline.Kids, and others are simple ideas you can try anytime.
Solo Activities for Toddlers (2–3 years)
- Stacking Cups — Let your toddler stack, nest and knock over plastic or silicone cups.
- Water Play with Cups & Spoons (supervised) — Fill a shallow tub with water and let them pour and scoop safely.
- Shape Sorting — Use simple shape sorters to help them match shapes and improve fine motor skills.
- Large Peg Puzzles — Simple puzzles with chunky pieces perfect for small hands to practice problem-solving.
- Sensory Bins — Fill a container with rice, pasta, or beans and provide scoops and small toys.
- Looking at Board Books — Provide sturdy board books with bright pictures for independent flipping.
- Mega Bloks or Large Lego Duplo — Encourage free building with large, easy-to-handle blocks.
- Posting Game (putting objects through a slot) — Use a box with a slot for posting lids, coins or discs.
Solo Activities for Preschoolers (4–5 years)
- Playdough Creations — Let them roll, squish, and mould playdough into shapes and creatures.
- Sticker Books — Provide themed sticker books to decorate pages and develop hand-eye coordination.
- Simple Puzzle Boards — Use jigsaw puzzles with larger pieces to engage their problem-solving skills.
- Self-Serve Snack Station (set up for independent access) — Allow them to independently access pre-prepared healthy snacks.
- Busy Bags (quiet, portable activity kits) — Prepare small bags with simple activities like threading or matching games.
- Colouring Pages — Offer printed colouring sheets and crayons for creative expression.
- Water Painting (magic water books or brushes) — Use water-only painting books that reveal colours when wet.
Solo Activities for Early Primary (6–8 years)
- Lego Building — Set out building challenges or free-build sessions with Lego bricks.
- Audiobooks (using a CD player or pre-loaded device) — Provide age-appropriate stories they can listen to independently.
- Simple Paper Crafts — Supply paper, scissors, and glue for easy cutting and crafting projects.
- Dot-to-Dot Books — Let them connect the dots to reveal pictures and practise counting.
- Origami (with printed instructions) — Provide simple step-by-step printed guides for folding paper shapes.
- Scavenger Hunts (pre-prepared lists) — Give them a list of items to find around the house or garden.
- Friendship Bracelets — Set out threads or beads for them to weave simple bracelets.
- Story Cubes / Story Prompts — Use cubes or cards with images to inspire creative storytelling.
Solo Activities for Older Primary (9–12 years)
- Creative Journalling — Encourage them to write, draw, or decorate a personal journal.
- Painting Projects — Provide paints, brushes, and paper for independent art time.
- Cooking Simple Snacks (sandwiches, fruit skewers) — Let them prepare simple no-cook snacks safely.
- Simple Sewing or Weaving Kits — Offer beginner-friendly sewing or weaving projects to develop fine motor skills.
- Paper Craft Models — Provide templates and instructions to build paper models and decorations.
- Advanced Lego or Construction Sets — Allow them to tackle more complex builds with detailed instructions.
- Audio Podcasts for Kids (played on speaker) — Play engaging and educational podcasts on a speaker for passive listening.
All-Ages Quiet Time Ideas
- Listening to calming music — Play soft, relaxing music to create a calm atmosphere.
- Mindfulness or Breathing Exercises — Guide them through simple breathing or mindfulness activities.
- Reading or Picture Books — Provide a selection of books suited to their reading level or interests.
- Drawing or Free Colouring — Supply blank paper and colouring materials for open-ended creativity.
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