I would line-up various independent, quiet activities in the hallway for my preschooler to do during rest time. Since the attention span of a preschooler isn’t great, a lot of low prep, but engaging activities are necessary. Line-up the activities in the order you want your child to do them, but ensure each one doesn’t take too long or isn’t duplicated.
With trial and error, I discovered activities my child enjoyed while also establishing a quiet period each afternoon. I would have a bag of stuff in the closet to pull out and would alternate as needed. Additionally, expect interruptions as your child adapts to the line-up and grows in independence.
Here is an example of various activities I would place in the line-up on a given day:
1) Felt board
2) Lite-Brite
3) Paper maze
4) Stickers with paper
5) A low prep game like a Duplo Hunt (Hide a certain number of pieces in various colors in a room, then create a paper with each color for the found pieces to be gathered on. Once all pieces have been discovered, the child makes his own creation.)
6) Hidden pictures page
7) Preschool workbook page
8) Cutting and pasting activity
9) Stamps and paper
10) “Read” picture book to stuffed animal
11) Lacing card
12) Puzzle
13) Station to practice writing name
14) Less messy sensory bin (such as kidney beans with scoopers)
15) Paint-by-sticker book
16) Bowling set
At the end of quiet time, review the activities your child completed together. This is a great way to connect and allow him to show off all his work!