My sweet little boys keep life very interesting, especially as I try to homeschool a high school freshman and a 6th grader with dyslexia. It’s basically my mission in life to keep my boys engaged in fruitful activity throughout the day so that I might have small chunks of silence to engage with my girls in their schoolwork.

It’s not perfect, but it works well enough that we march through our homeschool day with some learning accomplished and with (arguably) half my sanity left! Today I want to share a few ideas, several go-to items I keep handy at all times, and my process for both planning and engaging my boys each day.

1. Help: Hiring a Mother’s Helper

This is a new addition to our week—a stroke of genius on my part (not really). Honestly, I was stressing out with a good sprinkle of mom guilt because my girls were working so independently all week long. That’s not how I pictured homeschooling them.

A friend mentioned she had once considered a Mother’s Day Out program when her children were toddlers but hadn’t pulled the trigger. That conversation got me thinking, and I realized I could probably make it work to hire our babysitter for one morning a week.

As a college student, our sitter was available on Monday mornings, and it has been LIFE-CHANGING. She arrives at 8:00 a.m. and heads outside with the boys. She keeps them busy using many of my pre-planned activities (and her own creativity) while I cloister away with my girls, focusing on subjects that need my attention most.

From 8 until noon, I get four uninterrupted hours of focused teaching. She leaves at lunchtime, and then the boys nap, giving us two more hours to finish our school day. The blessing has been huge. If you’re juggling big kids and toddlers, I can’t recommend a weekly helper enough.

2. Gather Ahead: Pre-Planned Activities

Pre-planned activities keep us sane. When boredom strikes—or when I need to work with a big sister—I reach for ready-to-go trays. I try to make sure the activities are engaging, mildly educational, involve motor skills, and require no messy prep.

I keep a closet stocked with supplies and four trays. Each evening, I fill the trays with activities I think the boys will enjoy the next day. These are some of our tried-and-true favorites:

Light Pad + Learning Resources Letter Construction Activity
They can trace letters, build shapes, and explore light and shadow.
Eureka Counting Animals with Grabbers + Muffin Tins
I grab ice trays and muffin tins from the kitchen or Dollar Tree and pair them with Learning Resources Fine Motor Tools. They love practicing sorting and scooping skills.
Melissa & Doug Sticker Pads
My three-year-old’s absolute favorite! We’ve already gone through three sets and just bought four more. They last about six months before pieces go missing, but at $4–5 per set, they’re an incredible deal.

These quick trays keep their hands and minds busy while I sneak in lessons with my older kids.

3. Morning Binder: Preschool Schoolwork

My three-year-old loves “doing school,” so I created a Preschool Morning Binder just for him. It’s pretty, colorful, and full of engaging pages. Inside, I included my own printables—everything from alphabet practice to matching games to simple math activities.

We pull it out during morning time or when he wants to “do school” alongside his sisters. It makes him feel included while also giving him something structured and purposeful.

4. Get Outside: Nature and Open Play

Nothing keeps two little boys busy like outdoor play. Even on 10 acres with chickens, a puppy, and a pond, they somehow get “bored” (insert giant eye roll). That’s when I mix in purposeful outdoor activities:

Water Table or Tuff Spot Tray
We couldn’t find UK-style Tuff Spot trays in the U.S., but Home Depot sells a great substitute. Fill it with sand, water, beans, or rocks for endless sensory play.
Water Toys
Cups, funnels, turkey basters, and empty squirt bottles paired with a garden hose set to a slow drip = hours of fun.
Animal Figures + Dirt
Our boys inherited a huge collection of animal figurines. Give them spoons, a pile of dirt, and some animals, and they’re set for a long stretch of imaginative play.

Outdoor play not only keeps them active but also gives me moments to sip coffee, text a friend, or answer emails without chaos exploding indoors.

5. Get Outside No Matter the Weather

We try not to let weather keep us indoors (read this book). My boys are simply not themselves if they’re cooped up all day. While our winters aren’t extreme, I’ve learned that even in 40-degree weather, warm gear is essential.

Here are our must-haves for year-round outdoor play:

Rainboots
Rainboots are a daily staple here, especially for early morning nature walks to feed the chickens. We’ve spent way too much money on boots with liners that fell out or handles that broke. This brand has been durable, affordable, and worth every penny.
Tuffo Rain Suits
These all-season suits are non-insulated but roomy enough to layer over warm clothes. With elastic wrists and ankles, they keep kids dry even when splashing in puddles. My little one wallowed in mud all winter without ever getting wet underneath.

By sizing up, we’ll get two to three years of use, making the upfront cost more than worth it.

Why These Strategies Matter

When little ones are busy, engaged, and outside often, the entire household atmosphere shifts. My older children get the focused learning time they need, my younger ones are growing through purposeful play, and I get a little margin to breathe.

Homeschooling with toddlers underfoot is not easy, but with preparation, creativity, and a willingness to adapt, it can be joyful and manageable.

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Final Thoughts

These are our family’s favorite must-haves for keeping little boys happy, moving, and learning. From sticker pads and light tables to rain suits and babysitter mornings, each strategy helps us balance the chaos and joy of homeschooling across multiple ages.

Do you have favorite items or strategies for keeping toddlers busy during homeschool hours? I’d love to hear what works in your home!

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