Working At Home With Kids? 9 Screen-free Sanity Savers

One of the hardest parts of working at home with kids is all the distractions.

From email notifications on your phone to falling down social media rabbit holes under the guise of “research,” distractions come in many forms. 

While practical time management tips can help with many of these, there is one distraction that you’ll need a little more specific help with-KIDS! 

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While time management tips for work at home moms can help you be more productive, you really need to teach your kids to respect your work time.

In this blog post, I’ll share with you how using a timer with my kids changed my entire work flow!

Working At Home With Kids

I’ve been working at home with kids for a long time. While it isn’t always easy, there are some practical things you can do to help you gain that much-needed focus while working.

Before you do anything, set a work schedule. If possible, get up early before your kids for a few minutes of peace. I say a few minutes because if your kids hear you, you can kiss that quiet time goodbye! 

Once you’ve chosen your work hours, you need to do two things.

First, inform others, including your kids, when you are working and what to expect from you. 

Train them so they will know what to expect from you and set clear guidelines. I used a timer to train my kids. You may also want to use a visual cue such as wearing a hat or crown if you do not have an office with a door. 

I have this sign hanging above my desk. It’s a great visual reminder for everyone in my family.

Secondly, give your kids something to do.

If you want any peace, you need to give your kids a distraction of their own. If you are homeschooling, this is an excellent time for them to work independently on school lessons.

However, if you are not homeschooling or it is a non-homeschool day, you’ll still want a few tricks up your sleeve to keep them entertained while you focus on your work. 

9 Screen-Free Sanity Savers

Before we begin, I want to point out that I have ZERO problems using technology and screens to babysit my kids because I know how much my kids can learn from the right websites, programs, and apps. 

That said, everyone is always harping on “too much screen time.” If the guilt is kicking in because you wanted 5 minutes of peace to finish typing one thought before you forgot it, and the tablet was right there, this is for you. 

1. Use Your Bookshelves 

Create mandatory reading time and let them loose on whatever books are in the house. In select areas, the local library will mail books to you if you need fresh stock! 

You can also use audiobooks to help those who like to listen while they read. 

Did you know? You can play audiobooks on your smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. 

All-New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Deep Sea BlueGoogle Home: Guide, Setup and Features

 

Here is a neat trick if you have the Kindle App from Amazon. Did you know when you purchase an ebook with the Kindle App you can add an audiobook companion for sometimes as low as $.99?! You’ll have one book in two formats.

Here is how you add an audiobook for a discounted price to your purchase:

1. Download the Audible app (Click here if you didn’t do that yet)
2. Go to a book you want to buy
3. Click the box “Add Audible Book to your purchase.”
4. Click “Buy Now with 1-Click.”
5. Note: do not click the “FREE with Audible trial.”
6. Choose the buy button and complete your purchase.
7. Log into your app, and your new books will be added to your library. Download and listen on the go!

Learn more about the FREE Kindle Reading App from Amazon!  

2. Subscription Boxes & Kits

Invest in subscription boxes for hands-on, screen-free learning that involves teamwork.

We enjoyed Polar Pen Pals for happy mail about the north, and Little Passports for the scientific kid. 

Little Passports Science Expeditions – Science Experiment Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 9+Little Passports USA Edition – Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 7-12Little Passports Science Jr. – Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 5-8Little Passports Early Explorers – Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 3-5

 

You will find all kinds of fun kits on Amazon for kids who like to craft, build, and create. The trick is to match the interest to the child and to check the age requirements. 

3. Set Up Play Stations

Play stations are a great way to contain the mess created by play. Set up a table with a plastic tablecloth and put out things your kids will enjoy. 

I would recommend using educational activities and hands-on fun.

Quiet toys and boxes ideas:

• How to build quiet boxes
• Quiet Boxes for Kids
• Quiet Boxes For Teens
• Best Quiet Toys For Toddlers

These play stations will keep kids busy for hours! 

4. Create A Work Station

Every child wants to be like mom, right?

If you talk to any work at home mom they will tell you they often hear their kids copying them in some way. I’ve heard a little one say, “Shh! I’m on a call.” while playing with a phone.

Why not take advantage of that and set your kids up with a little work station of their own?

Use a desk that is their size and stock it with “work stuff” such as pens, paper, notebooks, hole punches, envelopes, old stationery, and stickers. Hang a corkboard on the wall and let them work in the same room as you.

Let’s get real, you will not get a full 8 hours of work in this way but you will get more time than you expect.

This strategy works well with single kids at home because they can see you and get to enjoy your company.

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You may also like:

• 15 Indoor Activities For Kids: Keep Kids Busy When You Are Stuck Inside!
• How To Find One On One Time With Your Kids When You’re A Working Mom
• How To Be More Productive As A Working Mom

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5. Create Quiet Bins

I’m a big fan of quiet boxes and have shared how I use them in the past. However, that list has screen activities in it, and we want screen-free. 

How to create a screen-free quiet bin:

First, you need a bin or basket of some sort. I recommend creating two so you can swap them out and your kids won’t get bored.

Next, you’ll gather up materials and activities your kids will be able to play with on their own.

When sorting through ideas make sure you choose only QUIET items, no horns or musical instruments! Otherwise, you end up with a busy bag, which is great if you don’t need to make any phone calls.

For younger kids, use the list above in #3 (omit the messy stuff like play dough, paints, kinetic sand, etc.) and toss it into bins. 

For older kids, you may want to get a bin or basket and fill it with things they are interested in doing. Here are a few things my teens loved:

• Notebooks
• Blank paper/blank cards
• Sketch pad
• Dry-erase boards
• Dry erase markers
• Markers/colored pencils/gel pens
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Shape paper cutters
• Washi tape
• Cute Stickers
• Drawing Template
• Tape
• Kids magazines (American Girl, National Geographic, etc.)
• Puzzles (Choose harder ones, themed ones or ones with smaller or a higher number of pieces!)
• Mad libs

The KEY to using these is not to let your kids have access to them all the time. These bins are your secret weapon; use them wisely! 

6. Board Games & Cards

Do you have board games lying hidden in cupboards or cubbies in your house? We did. 

Dust off those old games and use them to reinforce learning skills such as reading and math while having fun! 

If you are investing in new games, keep these five tips in mind:

1. Check the number of recommended players
2. Check the age requirements
3. Average time to play
4. Consider the difficulty of the game
5. Look and read the rules if possible

All of the above will help you find a game that is perfect for your kids and should be available on the box packaging or in the reviews.

If you prefer you can see our updated list of great games for all ages here: Homeschool Fun: Games

Encourage Creative Play 

If you have a door in your office, the following screen-free activities are for you. These activities encourage movement and play that can get super loud if you are on a phone call. 

7. Build Blanket Forts

Use couch cushions, sheets, blankets, and get your kids to create a fort. Another idea is to get a play tent designed to be used inside and create a reading/play nook.

Fort Building Kit for Kids | Build Indoor Blanket Forts with The Ultimate Fort Builder ntasy Fort Construction Toy for Boys and GirlsSNAPZ Fort Building Kit for Kids – Build a Fort with The Ultimate Fort Builder Set – Blanket Fort Kit – Indoor Fort Making Kit for KidsBlanket Fort for Kids, Fits Fort Building Kit, Kids Fort, Portable Blanket Fort for Indoor, Kids Toy for 3,4, 5,6,7,8 Years Old Boy & Girls, 118

 

After the fort or tent is up, add cushions, blankets and their favorite books. Don’t forget to create a snack basket or drawer they can raid for eating in the fort! 

8. Exercise Equipment 

Do you have a mini-trampoline or a giant exercise ball you don’t use? 

Give them to your kids to play. First, check the area to make sure there is no glass on shelves or stairs that they can bounce down. 

These mini exercise trampolines are a great way to burn off energy. 

My youngest did her school lessons sitting on a giant exercise ball for the same reason. She could do a few lessons then bounce around and come back and do a few more. 

You can also use a mini plastic slide. Not only will they have fun sliding down, but toys, bears, car crashes, and avalanches will surely join in the fun. 

Kids need to move and play. Using indoor tools allows them to do this without having them outdoors unsupervised. 

9. Life Skills & Chores

Don’t forget to get your kids involved in taking care of the house while you work. It’s okay if your kids are cleaning the bathroom while you are on a conference call. 

Moving the laundry from the washer to the dryer, scooping kitty litter, or picking up the toys are all ways your kids can help around the house. 

I would recommend they know how to do the task safely without you.

We use the Motivated Moms Program to help us stay on task with housekeeping.

I print off the list and stick it on the fridge. Everyone picks what they want to do for the day, even the adults. 

The Key To Working At Home With Kids

The best way to work with kids at home is: Set reasonable expectations. Be clear on the rules. Do what you say you’ll do. Put out things the kids can do. Put the kids to work. Don’t stress if they get bored. 

If your kids are home full-time, this will get easier as you go. They will slowly get used to your schedule and find ways to entertain themselves.

In the meantime, use these 9 screen-free ideas to save your sanity while working at home with kids.

Working At Home Resources

If you are working at home, you’ll love these resources:

• Screen-Free Spring Break Activities for Kids
• Simple Ways For Working Homeschool Moms To Beat Decision Fatigue
• Work at home with young kids
• Fall Activities for Kids

The first step to working at home is to create a simple schedule. If you need help creating your schedule be sure to check out my free email course How To Create A Simple Schedule.

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