How to Make Time to Play
20+ practical ways to be AN INTENTIONAL PARENT and make it happen
Did you begin this year with hopes and intentions to increase your child’s language and communication skills?
Instead, have you spent your time trying to keep your head above water and continually navigate changing circumstances?
Do you want to create more meaningful moments with your child and get a better grip on how to play with them?
Are you ready for a reset?
If I could just find the time…
Figuring out how to incorporate play in our life feels like a million-dollar question. If we could just find the time...
Here’s the truth: if we want to make this happen, it will require our effort to find pockets of time throughout the day.
One of the reasons I love our Play Guide is that we take the guesswork out of knowing where to start, what to play and what to say. So in the event you do find a few minutes in a busy day, you’re able to dive right into play!
Sometimes, we have this idea that we need 30 minutes or an hour set aside for us to experience this great play moment. If we can do that, awesome! At the same time, let’s not underestimate the power of 5 ACTUAL minutes of play compared to 10-15 minutes attempting to figure out if we are going to play and thinking about what that looks like. (If you aren’t convinced 5 minutes of play could make a difference, read this 5-minute article on The Power of Play: How 5 Minutes Can Change Your Parent-Child Relationship.)
Let’s be real, the argument or attitude that you might not have time to play with your child is just a little silly, because you have your entire day.
One more thought before we share all the tips, we want to make sure we’re clear on what we mean by PLAY.
Play = Playing
Play = Talking
Play = Connecting
Play = Engaging in daily routines together
The goal is to have small moments of intentional one-on-one play time scattered throughout your day. Start there and then see what benefit it brings to you and your child’s life!
Okay, here are the tips. Some may overlap, but we really wanted to share all the different ways in case one in particular inspires you. If you have other suggestions, add them in the comments!
MORNING HUG AND GREETING
Start the day with a warm hug and a cheerful "Good morning!"
ACTIVE LISTENING
Give your full attention when your child talks. Make eye contact, engage by expanding on what they say or asking open-ended questions, and show empathy.
SET A TIMER
Set a timer for just 10 minutes. Say, “I’m all yours! What do you want to play?!” Play with your child individually and at the end of 10 minutes, give your child a hug and say, “thank you for playing with me.”
PUT THE PHONE AWAY
Pick a time of day to put your phone away. Whether it’s the first hour after nap time or after your kindergartener gets home from school, the goal is to schedule time in your day to intentionally remove any screens and focus on each other. You get to decide when and where you put your phone.
Cook together
Allow your child to join you while you prep lunch or make a meal. Let them to mix, pour, or stir when appropriate. Have them help set the table. Involve them in the cooking and explain the process or importance of health.
PLAY MUSIC
My girl loves music. & let me tell you, she’s quite the DJ. She loves songs that are upbeat & fun. A song she can dance to or a song with motions. It really is fun for her and so we incorporate music during the day. Put together a playlist of fun songs you and your child can sing, listen, or dance to together.
Get READY FOR THE DAY
As you pick out clothes, put on shoes, and fix their hair, use the morning routine to offer choices, talk about the process and the day ahead.
USE THE 5-STEP PLAY METHOD
No matter what you’re playing or where you’re playing, we teach you HOW with our 5-step play method. It’s in the first section of the Play Guide!
MAKE them LAUGH
What makes your child laugh? Is it a tickle under their chin or making silly faces. Find what makes them smile or laugh and then go make it happen.
MAKE ART
If your child loves crafty things, create artwork together using crayons, paints, or playdough. Follow simple craft instructions or complete a DIY project together. Do what sounds fun!
IN THE CAR
If you find yourself in the car, play verbal games like "I spy” or "I'm thinking of an animal." Listen to audiobooks or sing-along songs. Talk about where you’re going or what you see outside the car window.
MORNING CALM
Do mornings feel like chaos in your home? Here’s your golden opportunity to wake up before your kids do! Make your tea or coffee, light a candle, read, workout, or set your phone to “come alive” at 9 AM. Use the space however you like to help you approach the day ahead better and to love your family well.
MAKE A GAME PLAN
Have you ever wanted a life-coach to help you know what to do and how to get there? Inside the Play Guide we walk you through a series of intentional questions to help you move from where you are now to where you want to be. If you honestly and genuinely answer every question, you are no doubt on your way to making your goals a reality!
MOMMY/DADDY DATE
Dedicate a day or night out to dinner to spend quality one-on-one time with your child.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS
Turn everyday situations into learning opportunities by talking about what's happening and why.
THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES AFTER NAP TIME
After your child wakes up from their nap. Make those first five minutes count. Yes, this may look like holding them, changing a diaper, or getting a snack ready, but have a grateful heart while doing it. Be intentional to use that time as a reset to your day and engage with them.
Grocery Shopping
Let your child help with the shopping list. Turn grocery shopping into a scavenger hunt as you search for specific items. Use the opportunity to name categories of food, count items, or comparing sizes and shapes.
HOUSE WORK
Make beds. Wash dishes. Sort laundry. Tidy rooms. Vacuum floors. These are all daily tasks you can let your child participate in with you. Heads up, it may take longer than usual to accomplish these tasks. And guess what? It’s okay.
STEWARDSHIP
“We take care of our things and each other.” It’s a phrase I repeat often in our home. We talk about how we’ve been given each other and how we have a home, and food and jobs. With those freedoms and gifts come responsibilities. And so we have daily chores to keep our home tidy. We play nicely with toys and other people. We speak kindly & truthfully. We water the plants & feed the dog.
My point is that in every situation we try to express care & intention toward maintaining, preserving, and growing all that we’ve been blessed with. We get to model this for our kids.
BATH TIME
Use bath toys for water play. Sing songs or make up rhymes while washing. Make time for some “tub tales” and read a book to them while they’re in the bath.
FAMILY TRADITIONS
Create regular rhythms of activities with your children. This could look as simple as Taco Tuesday or a monthly pizza and game night. Here’s to creating family memories and moments you and your family can look forward to!
GET OUTSIDE
We love to get outside. We live by the beach & every time we’re there, we talk about the blue sky and the sparkling ocean. The birds that fly high & the fish that swim below. The pretty sunsets. The round moon. It’s really quite sweet. If you were to go outside, what might you describe?
Go for a walk or visit a local park for swinging, sliding, and climbing. Have a nature scavenger hunt, looking for leaves, rocks, or insects. Play games like tag, hide and seek, or kick a ball.
Play A FAVORITE TOY OR ACTIVITY
What do you like to play? Puzzles or adult coloring books? What does your child like to play? Magnet tiles or play-doh? Take turns engaging in the different activities people enjoy. Join each other in your own fun.
USE THE PLAY GUIDE
Keep your Play Guide out on the counter or in your play room area to remind you of what you’re working towards. Reference the basic concepts and power word checklists or flip right to your toy of choice and get the prompts for what to play and what to say.
RECALL A MEMORY
Outside of our home is a white crepe myrtle tree. I love to tell my daughter about how just days before she was born, the white flower buds bloomed. I tell her how special she is to me. Together we talk about seasons & bugs & the weather & how fun & beautiful growth can be.
Pull out the photo album or some pictures. Tell them the story of what happened that day. Tell them what you remember.
Story Time and “read Alouds”
Read a book together. Name what you see. Talk about the story. Hunt for letters or shapes!
EXPRESS LOVE
Tell your child you love them regularly and show affection through snuggles, hugs, or kisses.
FAMILY DINNER
Sit down for a family meal at dinner to connect and have conversations about your day.
RECALL A MEMORY
Outside of our home is a white crepe myrtle tree. I love to tell my daughter about how just days before she was born, the white flower buds bloomed. I tell her how special she is to me. Together we talk about seasons & bugs & the weather & how fun & beautiful growth can be.
Pull out the photo album or some pictures. Tell them the story of what happened that day. Tell them what you remember.
DAILY REFLECTION + GRATITUDE
At bedtime, tell your child 3 things you love about them or noticed they did that day. Ask your child about their favorite part of the day or to share something they learned. Use bedtime as a sweet space for conversation and gratefulness.
HERE’S TO ONE UNENDING CONVERSATION…
I’m determined to have one ongoing conversation and many moments of growth with my child. I consider it nothing less than a total gift to be there for her. I get to be the one she plays with, talks to, and the one she has the “tough” conversations with. I get to help lead her and show her what it looks like to live and love well. That is absolutely worth my time.
Let’s keep going.
— Brooke
At ETP, we believe play increases learning, language, and life skills. We’ve got simple prompts and simple steps to help make it happen. Let us show you how.
