Quiet time activities for almost-6yo

[akmbloom]

We have a new baby coming in the next couple of weeks... my 5 3/4 yo daughter isn't really into playing by herself  too much, and I think it's because a) she likes us to do stuff with her and b) she has trouble thinking of ideas for what to do with herself.  She has a room full of toys, dolls, activities, books, etc, and she can read on her own, but she always wants suggestions for what to do and to constantly check in with me about whatever she's doing (which is often fine but sometimes - in the middle of cooking dinner or trying to finish an article under deadline - I can't give her my full attention).  If I really need her to not interrupt for a while I usually end up putting on a video or having her do computer games - but want to keep screen time limited.

With the baby coming I'm trying to think of ways to encourage her to play by herself for longer periods, because I'll be in the "can't pay full attention" mode more often -- and tonight we made a jar full of slips of paper with "quiet time activities" on them that she can draw from when she wants a suggestion for what to do.  We thought of lots of things - reading, drawing, playing with dolls, etc, and I tried to be as specific as possible.  but I thought there are probably lots of good activities I'm not thinking of... suggestions?  what do your kids like to do for quiet times?  what has worked for you if you need an older sibling to cooperate with a new baby's routine?

[KCMichigan]

Make up a bag (or bags) of simple activities to do alone. They could be themed ( snowflakes, ponies, etc) or by activity (art, science, math, etc).

Include a checklist she can mark off  ( I suggest laminating it so you can reuse it)and clear directions. You can even add a timer---she can check in after X minutes.

I would include things like:

 pipe cleaners to build things (give suggestions)

puzzles

stickers (and a way to use them- build a scene, sort them, etc)

magnadoodle

feltboards/felt pieces

a small craft she can do alone (foam pieces, cut/paste)

a small beading kit

a coloring book or sketch paper and some ideas to do

activity book (dot to dot, maze)

a doll and some 'activities' (set up a tea party, dress her to go shopping, make a list of things she would need, etc)

old magazines and have her cut things out for collage

grocery circulars and have her make a grocery list

cards (playing cards) to sort, build, or play with

a small camera and a list of things to take pics of

books and activities to do with them (depends on book...)

dress up clothes and have her create a story to go with it

magnets & tin cookie tray

A good friend did this with great success w/ her 6 yr old DS and newborn! I would start encouraging 'enforcing' independent play before the baby is born to make it more of  a routine....gradually she should needs less direction on what to do!

[jtbuko]

You could hang gymnastic rings from her ceiling. We had them up for the year my kids were 4 and 6, and that's where they went to play alone or recenter themselves when cranky. The best part = NO clean up!

Also Bendaroos (w/ scissors) have been a hit for my 5 & 7 year olds.

Moonsand with dollar store animals kept my 5 year old happily occupied for 2 hours the other day. All I had to do was stop by and rearrange the sand and suggest additions to the storyline every half hour.