Short & Fun Activities to Keep Your Small Children Quiet

Coloring

• Coloring is a classic children's activity. It requires very few supplies (crayons and a coloring book) and can keep a child busy for hours at a time. Coloring also has added bonuses in that it helps develop motor skills and encourages creativity. If you are looking to extend your quiet time or the novelty of the activity, look for oversized coloring books that allow children to color images almost as large as they are.

Board Games

• Though board games are traditionally intended for older children, some board games are designed for small children to play on their own. Leaving a couple of children to play with a simple board game can keep them focused on one activity and lessen the noise and commotion in the rest of the house. Be sure that your children are playing respectfully and obeying the rules of the game.

The Quiet Game

• If you ever took a long car ride with your parents, chances are good they invited you to play the quiet game. The rules of the quiet game are simple -- the first person to speak loses the game. Whoever can keep her silence the longest is declared the winner. While this game is simple in nature and transparent in its goal, children love to play it, especially with siblings. Be aware that the quiet game cannot last forever so always keep a backup activity ready for long trips.

Number Challenge

• If you are dealing with multiple children and need to get the room under control, consider giving them the number challenge. Hand a number card out to each child, numbered one to however many kids there are (for instance, 10 kids would be 10 cards). Ask the children to arrange themselves in order without speaking, showing their card to other kids, or holding up any fingers. This can quickly quiet down a large group while still being a good time.