https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:09:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day/page/2#post-1541251 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 21:56:49 +0000 ALV91711 1541251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure on a total throughout the day but usually he will only play with me for maybe 15 min and then he is off to explore something. He likes to help with laundry and the dishwasher. If I have to do chores I bring a couple toys into that room for him to play with, but usually he finds something to explore. </p> <p>Now that I'm back at work besides when I'm making dinner I try and spend most of the time before bed playing with him, even if I'm on the floor and he is playing beside me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day/page/2#post-1541209 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 21:28:35 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1541209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: I tell my husband everyday how bored I am with LO all day, lol. Love him but, it isn't fun watching a baby destruct the house and throw toys. </p> <p>We play, i'd say 30-60mins because in the AM, we roughhouse in bed. At bath time, I kneel down and play with his toys with him, and at night before bed, I always sit him on my lap and we have tickle time. I don't count taking him on a wagon ride or stroller ride as play time. That is "us time" but I am not actively playing with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day/page/2#post-1541150 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:48:25 +0000 mrsbookworm 1541150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say we play together for about 2 hours each day. He's 10 months and he's not very independent. He always wants me to be sitting next to him. I'm trying to work on getting him to play independently for at least a few minutes at a time, but no luck so far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1541075 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:11:16 +0000 daniellemybelle 1541075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 5 months &amp; try to play actively with her for a short period after each feeding since we do EASY, except her bedtime feeding. So 4 times a day, we play for an average of 10 minutes. It's usually me holding her in my lap with toys or books or just singing to her &amp; making her laugh, or practicing skills like rolling over &amp; sitting. The rest of the time she plays on her own in her Bumbo or jumperoo while I get things done but I am constantly talking to her &amp; interacting with her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1541008 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:45:53 +0000 shopaholic 1541008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hard to say right now. LO is also almost 13 months. I put 60-90 min., but that's definitely broken up through many small chunks. We play together in the morning after her breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner for sure. Usually before meals, I let her have independent play within my vision, while I get ready, do some housework, prep meals, etc. Before she could sit-up and crawl, I definitely spent more time actively engaged. And when the weather is nice and now that she's older, we go out to the playgrounds and do activities that might not be real "play", but is actively engaging. Right now, she's very interested in specific objects and figuring out how things work. So I notice she seems to be more interested in things during her independent play. Just recently she has been more interested in books too. So when I see her go for one, I will stop whatever I am doing to read to her. We also have Spotify kids music on in the background all.the.time and impromptu dance parties! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540989 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:39:23 +0000 LomaLinda 1540989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 10 months old and while I am with him all day, I don't "play" with him much! He plays very well on his own as long as I'm there with him! I talk to him, encourage him, comment on what he's doing but I dont spend much time playing with the things he plays with. I find he gets whiny when we try to play together, and he does better if I just let him loose but stay engaged. Right now he spends a lot of time crawling and exploring the house and going from toy to toy. While I do chores he "helps" me and gets into everything. He's quite independent and I'm proud of him for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540928 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:18:29 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 1540928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>C drags me by the finger to do things with him. Totally jealous of all you folks with naturally independent LOs. He loves catch and chase, both of which require two players. While I can venture off to do chores and things, when we are home, he wants constant interaction. This is why we are frequently out and about. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540924 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:17:44 +0000 Tidybee 1540924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: C is the same way. She is basically like - um, I'm playing with that...can you give it back so I can keep doing what I want with it.<br /> As long as I'm sitting on the ground with her, talking with her and narrating, she is totally fine. We go out a lot -- gymboree, library group, the park, walks with the dog, so I do worry about how little I'm playing with her but I guess those are good substitutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540905 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:09:01 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1540905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She's 7.5 months old, and we play together most of the day. She doesn't mind playing alone if there are things I have to get done, but lately she's been totally clingy and will only play if I'm sitting there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540871 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 18:56:06 +0000 heartonastring 1540871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know the exact amount of time because it's it bits throughout the day. Like @blackbird: my girl is fiercely independent, so while I often get down on the floor to play with her, she only takes me up on the offer a fraction of the time. So then I just talk about what she's doing. When she does want to engage with me we read books, do puzzles, play with blocks etc., but she's incredibly good at playing on her own as well and I'm cool with that.</p> <p>Honestly, since she's still young (11 mos) playing with her can be a little tedious, so I try to get out of the house with her as much as possible: we go to the park, go for walks, go to our music class and swimming lessons, run errands (I wear her and talk to her the whole time), go on play dates or to play groups etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540831 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 18:20:06 +0000 Running Elley 1540831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm it's definitely hard to measure because it's throughout the day. I don't keep my iphone/computer out when he's up and I leave the TV off. I do do chores throughout the day and sometimes he'll help me. He also likes to play in my room while I'm getting ready, in the kitchen while I'm preparing meals, etc. I think it's definitely gotten easier the older he's gotten. DS is currently 18 months.</p> <p>Collectively it probably comes out to almost 2 hours on the days that I'm home full time. We divide it up between playing in the living room, doing puzzles, reading books (he'd sit in my lap/bring me books and let me read to him for over 30 minutes), playing outside, coloring, playing with stickers, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540297 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:05:06 +0000 sarac 1540297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I don't especially enjoy sitting around playing either, and I also don't believe in teaching my daughter that my job is to amuse and entertain her. So we hang out in the mornings, we play together, she plays while I read or clean, etc. Then, most days, we leave the house and go out in the world. To see friends, to go to a park or a museum, just to have lunch, whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1540016 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 13:51:54 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1540016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: This is what I was hoping for :) Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539861 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:55:48 +0000 luckypenny 1539861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 2 this month and we spend hours actively playing. We have classes, play dates, and we go to park for about 2 hours everyday where I play with her. The rest of the time she plays independently or alongside me while I do chores/get ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539835 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:44:44 +0000 Jenn23 1539835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: I feel like a narrator most of the time! "Oh, you put the red block with the yellow block...." That is me all day long! :)</p> <p>J is 18 months and I spend about two hours total a day playing with him. He is pretty independent so I can sit with him and he'll just do his thing, but every few minutes he'll bring me a toy or a book to read. But I can leave 10-15 min. at a time to do dishes, let the dog out, etc. and he's almost always fine with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539537 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:05:48 +0000 pinkcupcake 1539537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I play with her off and on throughout the day (she's 2) when we are at home. </p> <p>Usually we will start by reading a few books. Then she might want to play with her puzzles for like 10-15 mins. Then I'll do some chores like laundry or dishes, and she will "help". She might wander off and play on her own for a bit, and come find me when she wants me to play with her again. </p> <p>I do want to get housework and chores done so I try to involve her in them and turn them into more of a fun game (ex: can you find the red sock, sorting laundry by color, sweeping or mopping) - she loves to help. I think the 12-18 month stage was kind of awkward for us - old enough when they need to be entertained more but not really old enough for arts/crafts and their attention spans are much shorter. It got much easier to play with her once she was around 20 months or so :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539456 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:32:31 +0000 hilsy85 1539456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: he's 17.5 months...it's definitely gotten easier as he gets older but our play "together" is still pretty primitive! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539447 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:29:02 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1539447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: I feel the same way. how old is your LO? I feel like we are at an awkward stage...he is mobile and loves to explore but isn't really ready to play WITH me for the most part...so I try to play in spurts, just like you said. It is so hard to find that balance. I don't think there is a right or a wrong answer...I was mostly just curious :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539427 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:23:25 +0000 hilsy85 1539427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's hard to say, because a lot of our playtime is interspersed with him going off and doing his own thing, or me getting up after 10-20 minutes and doing some dishes. I find that I do housework/chores/cooking/etc throughout the day, rather than at specific blocks. I do try to make an effort not to have my phone out anymore when I'm with him, and that way even if we're not actively playing together, I"m observing him and ready to respond if he looks to engage with me. </p> <p>This is probably one of the things I struggle with the most though, because while I do think that independent/free play is important, I worry about his independent play turning into him feeling neglected/bored. also at this age, while it's easier to play together than it was when he was 9/10/11 months old, it's still sometimes a challenge to really do an activity together. A lot of times it's me sitting with him and narrating what he's doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539350 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:08:25 +0000 Greentea 1539350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All day? LO is 9 mos and teething (crabby) but she has always been easily bored. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539292 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:54:10 +0000 Cherrybee 1539292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we are home together, I tend to sit by her and encourage her verbally, cheer her on, that kind of thing but she prefers to explore her toys in her own way. We might play a bit of peepo (3 mins perhaps), sing a few action songs (5 mins max) and start reading a story (she gets bored and grabs the book after the first two pages!) but then she goes back to chewing her toys! She likes me to watch but not touch!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539273 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:47:18 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1539273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: wow! my LO isn't even awake and not eating for that much of the day! He has always had short awake times and takes long naps, so I think that has always played a part for me. You are definitely not spoiling her (I hate that word anyway haha) but letting her fuss for a minute or two isn't neglecting her either. I am a big advocate for independent play...but the amount that they want is determined by personality too. I have a very independent LO, who most of the time prefers to play on his own, even when I am in the room. Some aren't that way, and I think that is more than ok. :) Even my independent kiddo will whine if I am out of the room for 15 minutes. I come back in, play for 5-10 minutes with him (only about 2 of that does he actually want to play WITH me), and then he is off doing his own thing again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539250 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:39:57 +0000 illumina 1539250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 6.5mths and I'd say I spend maybe around 6hrs at least engaging with her during the day. I'm not saying this to make anyone feel bad...it's more to say that lately I've been feeling like I spend too much time with her and don't get on with chores and other things I need to do. I'm struggling with it at the moment because she'll play on her jumperoo or on the floor sat up for maybe 10-15mins and then she'll whine if I don't interact with her. If I have to do anything in the bathroom or the kitchen she'll only be able to manage a few minutes playing alone before she gets mad. I always felt like I would try and advocate independent play with my LO's, but it's so hard and I don't know how to draw that line between spoiling her and neglecting her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539213 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:27:06 +0000 shellio 1539213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am posting for DH who is a SAHD - he doesn't have a schedule/structure to his day (except for naptimes) but he says "seems like all day". So I voted &gt;120 min. DSs are 4 mos and 2 yrs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539184 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:17:32 +0000 blackbird 1539184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch, exactly.</p> <p>@mrs. lion, sometimes E wants something if i start playing with it first....so I'll take her stacker and play with it and next thing you know, she comes over to take it away from me. Same with her big stuffed bear. Heaven forbid i use it as a pillow while I'm sitting there doing nothing.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539178 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:15:41 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1539178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Radish: yes! I considered putting all the electronics on his "Montessori shelves" and putting his toys up high...then maybe he would actually play with the things that are actually for him! haha :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539174 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:14:34 +0000 fancyfunction 1539174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>M is 15 mo and we play a lot. Right now she's in her PnP b/c I need to do some computer stuff (and drink some coffee!) but I'll only keep her in there maybe 20 min or so. We play a lot in her room - at different intervals throughout the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539124 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 08:58:46 +0000 Radish 1539124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do probably an hour throughout the day. My LO isn't all that into playing as it is right now - she prefers exploring anything and everything that isn't meant for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539102 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 08:48:52 +0000 looch 1539102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: yes, I think that's the key, you have to consider your kid's personality. My son is very interested in playing with others and was from an early age, so I went with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-how-much-time-do-you-spend-playing-each-day#post-1539087 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 08:45:25 +0000 erwoo 1539087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's so easy to get distracted. I made it a rule to not have the TV on, especially in the mornings. It's such an easy tool to use to be able to get things done, but I find that they start having tantrums the next time I won't let them watch it. It's really a no-win situation for me so no TV in the mornings! My oldest had no interest in watching TV until he was 3 and we had the TV on a lot; but with my youngest he got into it pretty early which is why I made the no TV in the mornings rule. It encourages him to do more imaginative play and focus on activities that I start with him which isn't all the time, but I try. I could be better at doing activities with him, but like some of you, he'll just run off or want to do other things...then on the laptop/phone/iPad I go. It's terrible! :P </p>