I had zero motivation or enthusiasm to play when I was sleep deprived. I mean it was hard enough to have the energy to cook dinner, shower, or to survive the days on such little sleep. So I asked the amazing play expert Karen from It’s Playtime Tots to share with you her key tips on how to survive playtime when you are exhausted. Karen has lived and breathed sleep deprivation, so I absolutely know her ideas are realistic and achievable for you.

Your eye lids feel heavy, your brain feels foggy and it is taking every ounce of energy you have just to move let alone entertain your little one – it just feels too much effort to play.

I have been there! My 1st daughter didn’t sleep through until she was 3 years old but at least it was only 1 wake up a night, that felt easy in comparison to my 2nd daughter who just didn’t sleep and woke up every 30 minutes even in my arms.

I was like a walking zombie and trying to entertain a 4-year-old and a baby plus juggle all the household chores felt impossible but there are so many simple and easy ways to play.

First of all, the most important piece of advice I will give you is to take the pressure off yourself, you are doing an amazing job and no-one functions well with lack of sleep (it’s why they use it as a torture method!)

Children don’t need fancy play set ups or expensive toys they just need the opportunities to explore and as the world is still new to them, they love the simple things in life.

So, rather than scrolling Instagram and Pinterest for ideas that look amazing but are completely unrealistic and only end up making you feel more exhausted thinking about it, instead go back to basics and enjoy the simple activities which are loved every time and just enjoy that time together.

Here are my Top 3 simple activities that are enjoyed by all ages plus are easy and super quick to set up from resources that you should have to hand

1. Cereal Play - With a variety of cereals on offer you can make so many activities for your little one to enjoy. Scoop Rice Krispies, thread cheerios & crunch cornflakes are just a few ideas.

2. Towers - Building towers is always great fun, especially knocking them down. There is so many items you can use to build towers too, it doesn’t just have to be blocks. Boxes, cups, twigs and cushions are all fun to try to balance. How tall can you make your tower before it topples over? Babies will love to knock the tower down.

3. Teddies - let’s face it, most of us have loads of teddies so use them in play. Place teddies or toys in a laundry basket and wrap string around to make a net, work out how to get the toys out and rescue them or sing ‘The Bear Goes Over The Mountain’ and throw your teddies in the air.

I hope the ideas above make playtime easier for you and by the way I am no longer sleep deprived thanks to Kathryn and I now help mums with easy ready to go play with Tot’s Playtime Box