Does anyone else hate toys with lights and sounds? I am realistic and I know my kids enjoy them, still…sometimes I just need a break. There is always that time when you just need toys to play with before a nap that are quiet, or that kids can do quietly at the restaurant or in the car or on the plane. That is why I have a whole crate designated to quiet toys that my tots can do when I just can’t hear another cadence of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or see another blinking car. Obviously, these are also great alternatives to Ipads and TVs when your kids need a break from screens. I like to leave them in a basket next to their bed so they can use these to wind down before bed (if focusing on a book is just too hard and they are not yet ready).
Here are my top six favorite quiet toys.
1. My kids absolutely love this Magnetic Doodle Board so much that we had to get two because they kept fighting over it. Toddlers can keep them next to their bed to wind down before naps. Make sure you have a child who does not put things in their mouth before you offer this one – depending on the stamp size it could be a choking hazard.
2. Do you remember paper dolls? Well these Magnetic Dress Up Dolls By Melissa And Doug are just adorable and apply the same concept, but with no paper cuts. My favorite thing about them is that the “Julia” set has all these different professions that a working career oriented woman can do like become an astronaut or vet, and one of them is superwoman! Extra points for this one. This one was popular with my little girl but just as a warning you may see these pieces all over the house if you do not make them put them away after they are done or keep them in a zip lock. I found that if I kept things in baggies my kids liked putting things away for some reason? I guess toddlers like stuffing things in bags.
3. Mess Free Coloring Books are also a great no screen activity because unlike every other art activity, they are safe to give kids to do alone. The marker only makes color appear on the pages of the coloring books, so you can rest assured that your tots cannot possibly mark up your walls.
4. I had no idea a “Quiet Time” Book even existed until I went looking for a solution to a long plane ride with two under two. This book is a great time sucker and can also help your babies develop important life skills like bucking their seatbelts and zipping their zippers.
5. Puzzles are always a good option for toddlers. For maximum impact, buy more than one and keep rotating them or else they may get bored. These three puzzles are well loved by my toddlers: Match it Head to Tail Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Dinosaur Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Geometric Shapes Puzzle, and these wooden sorting toys
6. Magnatiles are simply awesome. I want to play with them too. Kids of all ages can enjoy these and can help you (or them) feel more zen.
What are your quiet time toys that your tots like? Drop me some ideas!