Quiet Time Bins

Today we welcome guest blogger, April Emery, of Holistic Homemaking, to our blog! This is a great idea for quiet, resting times for your kids. Hey, maybe adults should create some bins for themselves too! Thanks April for sharing!

You could make up a few of these for last minute Christmas gifts!

Behold, my secret weapon for successful quiet or resting times in my house ... Quiet Time Bins! Quiet Time Bins are packed with items/activities that a young child can use to entertain him/herself during times of quiet or rest. These bad boys have been my secret weapon as my children have transitioned out of naps. This helps still give me a break, but keep my children occupied if they aren't in the napping mood on a given day.

Read on to find out how to create Quiet Time Bins for your child, a list of ideas to fill your bins, and some helpful tips on using your bins.

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Creating Quiet Times Bins

1 - Purchase 5 plastic bins for each child - 1 for each day of the week (in my case I had 5 for my 4-year old and 5 for my 2-year old). You can also use shoe boxes that you have around the house.

2 - Label bins with child's name name and a day of the week (I printed out labels and then attached them on the inside of the bin using packing tape).

3 - Fill each bin with items age-appropriate for your child. My goal for each day was to include at least one book (board books for my 2-year old), one item to promote problems solving or creative play, and one manipulative items to foster fine motor skills.

4 - On the appropriate day I give my child that day's bin to use during her resting time. When rest time is over the bin is put away. Having a different box each day prevents boredom with the toys inside.

Here are samples of what my girls' bins look like:

(2-year old bin - magnetic "paper" doll, small board book, Etch-A-Sketch)

(4-year old - puzzles, small book, blocks, Play-Doh, Etch-A-Sketch)

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Visit Holistic Homemaking for a list of great Quiet Times Bin content ideas {with some helpful links, too}. You can also use a variation of Quiet Time Bins on road trips with children {some ideas for Travel Busy Bags can be found here.

Helpful Tips & Pointers

• Make sure the toys/books in these bins are not ones they will play with every day. Try to make the items in your bins a special treat. This allows the bins to hold their interest for longer periods of time.
• Follow age guidelines for toys to prevent young children from choking.
• Refrain from adding items that are going to make noise. I try to steer clear of anything electronic. The goal of these bins is to help your child play quietly and rest their body and mind.
• Look at the items you already have in your house to get your bins started. You don't have to go buy new things. Over time, as you spot a great deal, you can purchase extra items for your bins to replace or include in an existing day's bin.
• Give your child items for their quiet times bins in their Christmas stocking or as Birthday presents.
• Don't force your child to use a bin if they aren't wanting to. My kids understand that their rest time each day is for laying in their bed and resting or for playing with the items in their bins. My 2-year old actually starts out playing with hers and, on some days, puts herself in bed for a short nap!
• Don't overload your bin. You want to provide enough items to have options, but so many that it becomes overwhelming. I typically have around 4 different types of toys/activities in my bins (see photos above).
• Try to use a bin that is easy for your child to open and close him/herself. The bins I purchased are excellent. I did see some cheaper bins in the store, but the lids were difficult for a young child to open on his/her own.
• If your children are older and do not nap, try this alternative: instead of labelling the bins by day just fill them and store them in a place your child can reach them. When your child gets bored or needs some entertainment he/she can go and select a bin of his/her choice. My oldest child loves taking one of these up to her room to play by herself.

Do you have use Quiet Times Bins in your home? If so, what do you put in your bins?

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