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Calmer routines

Calmer routines

Turn daily struggles into playful moments of connection and teamwork!

Getting kids to cooperate with daily routines can feel like a never-ending struggle - but play can help! Whether it’s getting dressed, brushing teeth, or heading out the door, sometimes power struggles and delays can be calls for small moments of connection amidst our rushed and busy schedules.

Laughter, imagination, and games can be transformative in making daily transitions smoother and more fun for everyone. And these moments of playfulness can work even better when you use them outside of stressful moments too, as a natural part of your day.

Because sometimes, a little play is all it takes to turn "just do it" into "let’s do it together!".

Filtered by:

  
Toddlers
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All play ideas for Toddlers in Calmer routines

What's on my bum?
What's on my bum?
A hilarious sensory guessing game that gets lots of giggles and builds body awareness.
1m
5m
Banana tattoo
Banana tattoo
A simple toothpick turns an everyday banana into a playful surprise.
1m
5m
Meow the song
Meow the song
Turn any song into a silly connection moment by meowing the tune instead of singing the lyrics.
0m
5m
  ·  connect
Sleeping monster
Sleeping monster
Pretend to snooze while secretly waiting to pounce with a tickle when they get too close - pure squealy fun!
0m
5m
  ·  connect
Silly sock day
Silly sock day
Brighten your day with a family-wide Silly Sock Day - an easy, no-prep way to bring in some playful bonding and giggles.
0m
30m
  ·  connect
Walk like an animal
Walk like an animal
A playful way to ease tough transitions or connect by moving like animals to the next task.
0m
1m
  ·  connect
Doctors
Doctors
A calming role-play session where they give you or a stuffed toy a checkup - perfect for relaxed connection or quiet solo play.
1m
10m
Push the broken grown-up
Push the broken grown-up
Tackle tricky transitions by becoming a silly, “broken” grown-up they need to push back into action.
0m
5m
  ·  connect
Indoor picnic
Indoor picnic
Break the routine and turn any ordinary meal or snack into a playful indoor adventure!
2m
30m
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Neighbourhood inspector
Neighbourhood inspector
Bring a magnifying glass on your next walk and let curiosity lead the way! Kids can play detective, spot tiny details, and investigate their surroundings in a whole new light.
1m
10m
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