7 ridiculously easy play ideas for when you’ve got nothing left in the tank

Some days you're overstimulated by 8am, everyone is getting cranky, you’ve already heard “Muuuum” approximately 400 times and the thought of setting up an elaborate activity that you’ll also have to clean up later is absolutely not happening.

This list is for those days.

No carefully curated craft supplies. No complicated set ups. Just really simple play ideas using things you probably already have at home.

1. Print a picture and hand them the stickers

This one happens in our house weekly and it's ridiculously simple.

Print a few pictures your child will like — animals, dinosaurs, princesses, trucks, Bluey, whatever they’re into. Hand over some stickers and let them decorate.

That’s it. No rules and no particular finished product.

No printer? Draw something yourself. And when I say draw, a questionable-looking flower or stick person absolutely counts.

You need: paper and stickers.

2. Give the toys a bath

Grab a container, add a little warm water and throw in some toys that are safe to get wet.

Give your child a sponge, cloth or old toothbrush and tell them the toys desperately need a bath.

Dinosaurs, cars, baby dolls, animals and Duplo are great for this one. Add a few ice cubes for dramatic effect, my kids love this for some reason!

Put a towel underneath or take the whole thing outside if you'd rather avoid the puddles.

You need: a container, water, a cloth or brush and washable toys.

3. Make a masking tape road

Use masking or painter's tape to make a few roads across the floor. They do not need to be impressive.

Draw dotted lines down the middle with texta and add a car park if you're feeling particularly energetic. Then tip out the cars and let them go.

You can also use tape to make giant shapes, hopscotch or lines to balance along.

You need: masking or painter's tape and toy cars.

4. Paint with water

Possibly the easiest activity ever.

Give your child a paintbrush and water and send them outside to “paint” the fence, concrete, bricks or pavers.

They get to paint. You get nothing to clean up. Everybody wins.

This one works brilliantly in the shower too. Let them “paint” the shower screen and tiles.

You need: water and a paintbrush.

5. Rescue the toys

Use masking tape to stick a handful of toys to a baking tray, table or other suitable surface.

Then tell your child the toys need rescuing.

They peel off the tape and free them. That's the entire activity.

Toddlers seem to find this wildly entertaining considering it takes approximately 60 seconds to set up.

You need: tape and a few toys.

6. Raid the kitchen cupboards

You don't always need actual toys.

Plastic containers, wooden spoons, measuring cups, muffin tins and bowls are surprisingly entertaining for little ones.

Let them stack, bang, fill and empty. For older children, you can add some dry pasta or rice for scooping and pouring.

Tip: If you're using rice or pasta, put down a big mat or drop sheet first for easier clean-up, supervise closely and skip loose dry foods for children who are still likely to put them in their mouth.

You need: whatever is already in your kitchen.

7. Have a cubby house picnic

Throw a big sheet or blanket over the dining table, add a mat and a few pillows underneath and suddenly you’ve got a cosy little cubby.

Bring in some favourite teddies, books or toys and serve afternoon tea underneath.

Same food. Same house. Apparently a completely different experience when you eat it under a table.

It makes a great little reading nook afterwards too.

You need: a sheet or blanket, a few cushions and whatever they were going to eat anyway.

It really doesn't have to be complicated

There’s so much beautiful play inspiration online that it can sometimes feel like entertaining our children requires themed sensory trays, expensive resources and an entire evening of preparation.

It doesn't.

Kids can find so much joy in ordinary things. Stickers, water, tape, containers and a cubby under the dining table.

You don't need to entertain them perfectly or turn every activity into a learning opportunity. Sometimes you just need something that gives everyone a little breathing room.

And if you're having one of those days where even filling a container with water sounds like too much effort?

Come and let us do the work. 🤎

Book a play at Bear and Cub, grab yourself a coffee and let your little one explore while somebody else provides the toys, the space and, most importantly, the clean-up.

And maybe bookmark this one for the next time you're overstimulated and just need a minute. 🤎