Hey there, amazing parents! We’ve all been there, hearing “I’m bored” or wondering with our little ones, “What fun thing can we do today?” While trying to keep it easy on the wallet and not involving a screen(not that all screens are bad or that they should never be used)?”
I’ve chatted with loads of parents, and I get it — sometimes all the advice out there can be overwhelming and it always feels like everyone can parent except us!
But guess what?
Playtime doesn’t have to be “picture-perfect”; it’s all about finding simple ways of having fun together.
You can have an awesome day with your kids using items you’ve already got at home to create moments of joy! Playing is super cool because it helps your children learn new words, turn taking, sharing, using their imagination, feel good about learning, and get those little hands and feet moving!
You can slip in playtime any time of the day, and it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Ever seen something cool online and thought, “Let’s try that!” only to have it go a bit wacky at home? If the paint splatters or the playdough sits lonely on the table, no need to stress. Maybe it was just the wrong time, or perhaps your little artist just wanted to squish the paint with their fingers. It’s all good — it’s the playing that counts.
Over the years as a trained and experienced childhood educator, I’ve still had moments when things didn’t go as I planned. But you know what? The kids still had a blast and learnt loads, and that’s what really matters.
Before you think about buying new toys, you’ll be surprised by all the fun you can have with the things lying around the house already. Let’s check out some cool ideas around embracing easy, affordable fun:
- Put pegs into and out of a basket.
- Bang on pots with a spoon for a homemade drum set.
- Fill a bottle with rice or beans and shake it up for a DIY shaker.
- Paint with water outside on a sunny day.
- Make bubble mountains with dish soap and a whisk.
- Splash around with water in bowls and cups.
- Build a fort out of boxes.
- Make tunnels for toy cars with toilet paper tubes.
- Practice fine motor skills by peeling tape off the floor.
- Have a mini-water fight with spray bottles.
- Play with Velcro curlers — they stick and pull apart in a fun way.
- Hide toys in a tissue box and have a treasure hunt.
- Dance it out to your favourite jams.
- Curl up together with a cosy book.
So, let’s turn those everyday moments into something special. Playing is learning, and the best part? When you get the fun right you get the learning right. So in other words simple play is overcoming parental overwhelm.
In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy for expectations to soar and daily tasks to take over, often leaving us parents feeling overwhelmed. We’re told to do more, buy more, and be more, but here’s a little secret: less can be so much more. By reducing our expectations and embracing the beauty of simple play, we can ease the burden of busyness and cut through the noise of parental overwhelm.
Simple play means turning everyday objects into treasures and ordinary moments into extraordinary memories without any fuss. It’s about lowering the bar from ‘perfect’ to ‘good enough’ and realising that the true value lies in being present, not in presenting a perfect play setup. By doing so, we create a relaxed atmosphere that not only nurtures our children’s development but also gives us permission to breathe, laugh, and find joy in the mayhem of markers gone rogue or playdough turned pancake.
This approach to play is not just about keeping the kids entertained; it’s a gentle reminder to ourselves to take the pressure off. It’s an invitation to find contentment in the chaos and to remember that the best kind of learning often happens when we’re not even trying. So next time you feel the weight of parental expectations bearing down, take a deep breath and reach for the simple. Because when we simplify play, we amplify joy—not just for our kids, but for ourselves too. Let’s make parenting and playtime about connection, not perfection.
Cath Howard – Parenting and Early Childhood Consultant
Clinically reviewed by Amir Salem – Clinical Psychologist
