As a parent of a preschooler or kindergartener, it’s crucial to balance their playtime with homework. Most kids shun school work once they get home—after all, they want to play with children’s toys and have fun. Make it easier for both of you by establishing a routine that sets the time for everything.

3 Tips for Establishing Your Kid’s Playtime

1. Draw a Schedule

An after-school routine helps your child control their urge to seek their toys. Make a schedule that details what they have to do next—it serves as a guide and gives them a sense of achievement whenever they’ve completed a task. For instance, start the afternoon with a snack and tidy up a bit. After, they must do all of their homework first before playing.

To make them have a better grasp of the schedule, create routine cards that they can put in pocket charts or place on the refrigerator door with a magnet. These allow your kids to see their completed and unfinished tasks.

2. Allot a Few Hours of Playtime

Sometimes, your child may complain about their school work and try to get out of completing it. Remain steadfast and tell them that they can only play after finishing all of their homework. Remind them that they get a couple of hours of playtime as a reward for sticking to the schedule. Keep them motivated by setting a timer for 20 minutes of work and five minutes of mini-play. This strategy can encourage them to complete tasks before playing with their favorite children’s toys.

3. Have a Designated Toy Area for Storage

When establishing playtime, make sure that you have a designated storage area for children’s toys. Remind them that every toy they play with should be put away in the storage afterward. Doing so gets them into the habit of cleaning up after themselves. Let them frequent this area after playtime and before dinner so they can arrange their toys however they want.

Follow the tips above when planning an after-school routine that balances play and schoolwork. Let them learn and have fun with children’s toys from Toy Box, the biggest toy store located in Mamaroneck, NY. Apart from toys, they also carry children's books, games for kids, arts and crafts, and sporting goods. They provide free gift wrapping and parking. Call (914) 698-7110 to ask about a specific toy or check out their available products online.