If you’ve ever been frustrated with how to keep your kids quiet and engaged at church and other places, you need to discover the magic of busy bags!
While we work hard at limiting screen time (especially for the younger two kids), it seems that their attention spans are, unfortunately, conditioned to the fast-moving pace they’re accustomed to on a screen.
So it’s no wonder that when they need to be quiet and busy without screens, they have a hard time staying engaged with a coloring book and crayons.
But with a little preparation, you can make some awesome busy bags that your kids will enjoy and look forward to.
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The magic of activities-in-a-bag
Not only is it important to have screen-free fun, it’s necessary in places where screens would be a distraction, such as in church.
(We also don’t allow them in the car unless it’s a long trip. It’s just a bad habit we didn’t want to start.)
Keeping their hands busy doesn’t mean that their minds can’t engage with the sermon, either.
Side story: I was always doodling pictures as a kid in church and I made the decision to follow Jesus at age 6, after responding to our pastor’s message.
Kids absorb more than we realize.
I’m going to share some no-brainer busy bag ideas, aka “quiet bags” for church or wherever you need them – to make it easy for you to assemble your own.
Where you might need busy bags
My motivation for finally putting together some busy bags was for church – where it was most often necessary!
We’ve visited some churches where busy bags were given out at the front door for families. I think it’s a great ministry to visiting families and members alike.
So, if you have success making some of these for your kids, consider making a dozen more to share the love!
But there are lots of reasons you might want to have a stash of busy bags handy:
- While waiting at restaurants
- Long car trips (30 minutes can be LONG for some kids)
- At the doctor’s office (when you have to take them to your appointments, especially- usually no toys around)
- While you work at a home business OR at your office and need to concentrate
- While homeschooling and you need to entertain the younger kids
- While cooking dinner
- When you just want kids to take a break from the screens
Tips for choosing the best church busy bag activities
- Simple toys and activities win every time.
- Store away the busy bags in a place where the kids can’t play with them throughout the week. Give them something to look forward to for these quiet times, otherwise the novelty will wear off quickly.
- Rotate items in and out of the busy bags
- Less is more. Kids get overwhelmed with too many choices.
- Avoid lots of tiny pieces that might get easily lost or are difficult to pick up quickly.
- Take into account your child’s individual skill level. Don’t pack complicated items in busy bags for toddlers. (Things that will frustrate your kiddo.) That kinda defeats the purpose of a quiet bag.
- Same as above – consider your child’s age and how they will play with the items you choose. For instance, my 3.5-year-old loves littlest pet shop toys, but I discovered she only wants them to talk to each other (and tries to make me play and talk with them) and that’s less than ideal!
- NO bouncy balls or other projectile objects!
- Putting together a few busy bags doesn’t have to be expensive. You can likely find similar items to the ones I’m sharing at thrift stores and garage sales, and I’ve seen many of these at children’s resale shops.
Again, just 2-3 items is all you need per bag. You can build a “stash” over time for swapping out items.
The specific items I’m linking to are on Amazon, simply for convenience sake.
The busy bags we like to use
First, the busy bag itself: the best idea I just recently found was using drawstring backpacks.
We seem to get them for free at least a few times a year and I don’t know what to do with all of them between our 4 kids.
The backpacks are my favorite because my kids can wear them and put their Bibles and Sunday School papers inside, too.
I don’t enjoy being the Sunday Morning Pack Mule (anyone else?). Backpacks just make busy bags for church that much easier.
If you don’t have a plethora of freebie backpacks, you can get them on Amazon too.
Having several on-hand will keep you from having to repack them as frequently.
Just stuff & keep them up in the closet, and rotate as needed!
Busy Bag ideas for toddlers, preschool and younger elementary kids
Rather than sorting these by age, I’m just going to list items that could work for any age where a child probably isn’t old enough to sit still and listen to the sermon without keeping their hands busy at the same time.
Toddler church activities are often the hardest to come up with. However, my three-year-old and six-year-old both enjoy these various items, so I believe they’ll fit a range of ages.
Of course, choose items that would be most appropriate for your child(ren).
Drawing Stencil Template For Kids
Big, easy to use tracing stencils are a fun for a variety of ages.
SunWorks Construction Paper, 10 Assorted Colors
For stencils or a variety of the ideas on this list. Construction paper holds up better in busy bags and is easier for kids to write on top of lumpy floors or seats if they need to.
MagMen Magnets {10 Pack} All in one Fun Flexible Magnetic Men
These little magnetic "men" stick together and you can bend them in every direction. Stick them on the fridge for quiet time at home!
Lace & Trace Cards
Kids can practice fine motor skills - and they double as another tracing shape!
Crayola Washable Dry-Erase Travel Pack
For the toddlers who love markers and the moms who'd love to ban them forever!
The Purple Cow Magnetic Puzzle Box
Magnetic puzzles are self-contained and this set is small enough to tuck into your busy bag.
Trace The Dots - Fine Motor Skills Workbook
A fun idea for preschoolers and kindergartners.
Crayola Twistables Crayons
Twistable crayons are frustration-free: no wrapper to peel or clean up later. I've found they last a lot longer because they wont' get broken, AND they're great for small hands.
Jumbo Nuts and Bolts Set with Toy Storage | 40pcs …
Keep little hands busy with nuts and bolts. Probably one of the best ways to occupy older babies and toddlers. This comes with a generous number of items so you could easily split between several busy bags.
Melissa & Doug Princess & Horse Magnetic Dress-Up Wooden Dolls
This one DOES have some small pieces but I'm including it because we have a similar set that has gone through all 3 girls and is still a favorite. This one has a board that doubles as a cover to keep all the pieces tucked away. (Look for the "occupations" set that might appeal more to boys.)
LCD Writing Tablet
All 3 of my youngest kids (age 3, 6, 11) enjoy these LCD writing tablets. They're much easier to write on than the MagnaDoodle type of drawing tablets.
Barrel of Monkeys Game
Remember these? Kids still love them, and they're a really inexpensive addition to busy bags!
Melissa & Doug Make-A-Face Reusable Sticker Pad 3 Pack
My 3-year-old's favorite busy bag activity so far, and reusable stickers are the best! These are smaller books than other ones I've found, perfect for on the go.
The Beginner's Bible Coloring Book
Reinforce what your child is learning with these simple coloring pages.
Squishies
I don't totally get these, but they're small (not tiny) and cute and my kids of all ages like to pretend with them. **Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Handheld Water Game 2 Pack Set
Another throwback game from my childhood that is perfect for my kindergartner.
Learning Farm
Toddlers love putting these farm animals in and out of their "homes" over and over again.
Soft Cover Spiral Sketchbook 2-Pack
Smaller sketchpads are great for busy bags, especially for older elementary ages.
Tricky Triangle Game
My son loves playing with these from Cracker Barrel and Amazon has their own version. For ages 3+.
Animals Figure,54 Piece Mini Jungle Set
Toys can be simple, and little animals are usually a hit for both boys and girls. This BIG pack could make several busy bags.
Busy Bag Free Printables for Church
Check out this site for free Bible coloring pages you can print at home.
Stuff them in your church busy bags with the twistable crayons and you’re ready for Sunday, or wherever else you might be headed with little ones!
