Busy Boxes for Kids (Great for Rainy Days!)

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Have bored kids? Check out these busy boxes for kids! They’re great to have on a rainy day or just when they need something different to do.

Busy Boxes for Kids

Busy Boxes are a great tool to have in your “Mom Tool Kit” for those days when your kids are home, bored, and you need them to play independently. I love having a box or two prepped and ready to be pulled out in the moment.

So, what is a Busy Box? These are self-contained boxes with age-appropriate craft/art supplies and other quiet, calm items to help kids use their creativity and imagination – without needing supervision from an adult.

These busy boxes for kids are great to have on hand for rainy days, sick days, or if you need some dedicated time to hop on a video call for work, take care of a home project, or drink your coffee in peace!

Supplies needed:

Supplies will vary a bit based on the age of your kids. You can grab these items on your next Dollar Store or Walmart trip, or raid your craft supply box and pair some items that work well together. Here are some ideas:

Watercolor paper + paints (love this set that has both)
Pom poms, ribbon, and sequins
Beads and string for jewelry-making
Notebooks (I love to grab these from the dollar store)
Unfinished wood crafts for painting (craft stores like Michael’s have a great selection of little wood items)
Sticker sheets and paper (these are another great find at the dollar store)
Construction paper and scissors
Fun pens like gel or glitter
Cardstock and envelopes
Washi tape (this is a really cute set)

Here’s how to make these busy boxes:

Try to take a few minutes out of sight to assemble your busy boxes. If my kids see me assembling something, they will want those items right now, so I try to do my setup when they’re sleeping or at school.

Box up items that will work together (for example, make sure to have string if you’ve got beads, scissors with paper, glue for sequins, etc) and you’re all set! You can pull a box out as needed. You can prepare to offer a little guidance if your kids are struggling to get started, like “what if you made a card for grandma?” or similar.

Helpful hint: Decide ahead of time how long the box will be out. If you plan to use it again, I wouldn’t leave it out all day, or it won’t be as exciting for your kids the next time you pull it out.