Why I Brought Back “Quiet Time” for My Toddler (and You Might Want to Try It Too)

Quiet time toys

Let me paint you a picture:It’s 4:00 PM. My 3.5-year-old has had a full day of activity — park, snacks, a million questions about dinosaurs — and suddenly, it’s meltdown city. We’re not talking minor whining. We’re talking full toddler chaos mode.

And then it hit me.He’s not napping anymore… but he’s still tired.And no, watching Paw Patrol does not count as rest. His little body and brain are still going 100 miles per hour — he needs a pause. A break. A moment to just be.

So I brought back something I used to do with my daughter when she stopped napping: Quiet Time 

What is Quiet Time?

Quiet time is a magical part of the day where your toddler isn’t sleeping, but they’re also not running wild or begging for snacks every 5 minutes. It’s a time for them to recharge — in a calm, screen-free way — and it can seriously change the second half of your day.

Quiet time usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes and happens in a dim, calm room. Your toddler gets to play independently with fun, quiet activities — and you get a break too

What to Include in a Quiet Time Basket 🧺

To set my little guy up for success, I created a special “quiet time basket” filled with things he can enjoy on his own.

Here are some of our faves:

• 🧩 Puzzles

• 🖍️ Coloring books and crayons

• 📚 A few fun books (we rotate library books weekly!)

• 🧲 Magna-Tiles

• 🧠 Matching or memory games

• 🧸 Felt boards

• 🚗 Little cars or animals

• 🧵 Lacing beads or threading toys

Hot tip: Rotate the toys! Keep it fresh so it doesn’t get boring. You can even sneak in something new every now and then for extra excitement.

But... How Do I Get My Toddler to Stay Alone?

Here’s the trick — ease into it. At the beginning, you might need to stay in the room with them. Once they’re engaged, try saying something like:

“Mommy’s going to the potty. I’ll be right back!”

Then actually leave the room. Come back in 5–10 minutes and reassure them. Do this a few times, increasing the time you’re out each round. Eventually, they won’t even notice you're gone.

How Long Should Toddlers Do Quiet Time?

Honestly? As long as it works!My daughter was still doing “rest and digest” time after lunch in kindergarten, and I loved it. I think we all could benefit from some mid-day chill time (hello, adult quiet time please?!).

So whether your toddler is 2 or 5 — if it’s working, keep it going!

Should I Do It Every Day?

Yes, if you can. I know life is wild and unpredictable, but if you make it a priority, it really pays off. I’ve noticed that when my son has quiet time, the second part of our day is smoother, happier, and way less chaotic.

Even if it’s just 20 minutes, it counts.

Not Sure if Your Toddler Is Ready to Drop the Nap?

I’ve got you covered. Here’s a helpful article I wrote all about how to know when it’s time to drop the nap — and what to do when you're not sure what your little one needs. Read the article here ➝

Whether your toddler is fully done with naps or just dipping a toe in the “no-nap zone,” quiet time can be a gentle, effective way to meet their rest needs (and save your sanity). Give it a try and let me know how it goes!