Being a stay-at-home parent can be mentally and physically draining. Your to-do list is always long with taking care of your home, your family members, and yourself. The daily routine can start to feel pretty monotonous.
If you are tired of spending your free time on social media, this list will inspire you to spend your time in different ways.
There are many things that you do as a stay-at-home parent. Some of them are fun, like taking your child(ren) to the park, while other tasks on your to-do-list aren’t as fun. No matter the level of fun, they all get done at some point. Being a stay-at-home mom may not be a piece of cake like some people like to assume it is, but it can be rewarding.
If you are new to the stay at home life, or maybe you’ve been doing this for a while and need some new ideas, this list of 50 Things To Do As A Stay-At-Home Mom is for you.
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Table of Contents
50 Things To Do As A Stay-At-Home Mom
10 Ways To Make Money
Just because you are at home doesn’t mean you can’t make an income. Here are some ideas of jobs that can be done on a part time or freelance basis. That gives you plenty of time to still be with your kid(s) during the day.
Become a VA
A Virtual Assistant (VA) can be a great option if you are looking for a steady part time job that allows you to stay at home.
There are a variety of skills and experience you may need depending on the type of position you are applying for.
Some positions are for clerical and administrative work, while some businesses are looking for someone to handle their social media and customer service.
Blog
Becoming a blogger can lead to a great source of income once you start growing your audience.
The topics you can blog about are endless. I would suggest picking something that you would consider yourself an expert in based on your life experience or any knowledge you have.
You can create an income by blogging through affiliate marketing and even selling your own products.
Open An Etsy Shop
If you are crafty, why not use that to your advantage and sell your work.
Whether you like creating tumblers, candles, notebooks, or anything else, there is a space for you to sell on Etsy.
You never know how many people are wanting what you have to sell until you take that leap and start selling.
Freelance
Like being a VA, there are many directions to go in when it comes to freelancing, you could become a freelance writer, photographer, work on graphic design, and much more.
The first step is to check out what gigs are available to you by checking out sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
Sell/Resell Items
This activity wouldn’t give you the most reliable income, but it’s great to do when you are in a pinch for extra money.
Check around your house and see what items you can sell.
Another idea is to purchase pieces of furniture, or any items you can think of, and upcycle them. Then you can resell the item to make a profit.
Obviously the bigger/more valuable the item is, the more money you can earn.
Walking Dogs
If you are an animal lover, this job is for you.
With apps like Rover it makes this activity even easier as well. Walking dogs has so many benefits for both you and the four-legged friend. Getting paid to do it would be an incredible bonus.
Teach English Online
This is a great side hustle if you like teaching and want a more regular income.
You can check out sites likeVIPKid and Cambly to learn more about this option to make some money as a stay-at-home mom.
Fill Out Surveys
If you aren’t necessarily looking for a part-time job, but wouldn’t mind having a little extra cash, this is for you.
Filling out surveys won’t earn you much money, but it’s an easy task and can be fun to express your opinion during nap time or play time. You can do that on sites like Survey Junkie.
Customer Service Rep
When you think of work from home jobs, these are probably the positions that first come to mind.
When applying to these jobs you want to consider the format of the communication (email/text or phone call) and the age of your child(ren).
By considering those two together you will have the best possible success in the customer service rep position you choose/get.
Babysit
If there is a working mom in your neighborhood that is unable to stay home with their kids, why not offer to watch them?
I’m sure they will appreciate having someone they trust watch after their child(ren) and you’ll get a little extra money each week.
15 Hobbies To Try
While it may be hard to believe, there will be times where you’ll have some time to yourself that’s not filled up by little hands and demands (thank you, nap time).
These are the perfect pockets of free time to spend doing what makes you happy. If you don’t think you have any hobbies, try something from this list until you find something you enjoy.
Reading
You know your To-Be-Read list is waiting to be touched again.
Grab the book you keep saying you are going to read and see how far you can get during your next gap of free time.
Here are books stay-at-home moms will enjoy.
Yoga
Yoga is not only relaxing, it’s a great form of exercise.
Now you don’t even have to go to the gym to attend a class. Check out sites like YouTube or Les Mills (here is 30 days free) to find a new yoga class to try.
Watch TV
When’s the last time you caught up on your favorite soap operas or Netflix shows?
Watch an episode or two, or maybe three I won’t judge, today when you have some free time.
Photography
Photography can be a fun hobby that you can do with your child(ren).
Think of some creative ways to snap some pictures of everyday moments. You could even try your hand at a photography challenge. Just search for one on Pinterest.
Drawing
Drawing is a fun hobby to have. All you really need is a notebook or sketchbook and a pencil at least. There is more supplies to get if that is something you are wanting to do.
Whether you are into doodling or more experienced sketching, drawing is a great hobby to have as a stay at home mom.
Walking
On nice days walking can be a great hobby both you and your child(ren) can enjoy.
You can walk your neighborhood, at a local park, or a community track. Just make sure to stay aware of your surroundings and stay safe.
Baking
Baking is a fun, and tasty, hobby that the whole family can enjoy.
It’s fun to do especially during the holidays because it’s a great way to get in the festive spirit. What new recipe will you bake today?
Video Games
If you like escaping reality for a little while, video games may be a fun pass time for you.
You can do this hobby during naptime, or even have game time as a family where your kid(s) play their game while you play yours.
Coloring
This is another fun hobby that can be done as a family.
Whether you all color out of the same coloring book, or you print your own coloring pages.
Exercise Classes
There are many ways that you can attend exercise classes these days without leaving your home.
Some ways to do this is through YouTube videos on channels like PopSugar Fitness or online classes and programs like BeachBody On Demand.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great hobby because it impacts the lives of others. It’s also a great lesson to teach your child(ren).
Knitting
Knitting is a great hobby that you can work on throughout the day as your kid(s) is occupied playing or napping. You can even make clothes for your little one(s).
Event Planning
If you have a knack for planning, event planning can be interesting to explore. It could all start with planning your baby’s first birthday party.
If you decide you like that process it could quickly turn from a hobby to a side-gig as well.
Gardening
Depending on where you live this may not be as extensive of a hobby as you’d like, but you could still take an interest in it.
There are ways to have tiny gardens inside. If you live on some land then you can really let this hobby flourish.
Leaving Reviews Online
This may not be the first activity you think of when you think about hobbies, but consider how often you look to reviews to make decisions.
Then think about all the opinions you’ve had about certain places you’ve been or items you’ve bought. If you like voicing your opinion, this hobby could be a fun one for you.
You can start out with sites like Amazon and Yelp, then there are apps like Goodreads and Influenster.
15 Things To Do With Your Kid(s)
If everyday starts to feel like the same old day to you and your child(ren) it’s time to mix it up. In this list you’ll find some at-home fun activities, as well as some opportunities to go on a fun day trip. Which one will you and your little one(s) be doing first?
Go To A Museum
Just because you are a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you actually have to stay at home.
Going to a museum can be a fun and interactive experience if you have young kids that are curious.
Check out what children museums are near you, or even consider doing a day trip somewhere a little further away.
Work On A Puzzle
Puzzles are great for children of any age. It can be both a fun playtime and learning activity.
Watch A Movie
If you are looking to pass an hour or two by, watching a movie is a great way to do that.
Thanks to Disney there are a ton of great children’s movies to choose from.
Have A Playdate
If you have some mom friends, or there are other moms in your neighborhood, why not organize a playdate for all the kiddos to have some fun together? I’m sure you could use some mom time too.
Play A Game
There are two ways to go about this. You can play an actual board game, or encourage imagination with your kiddo(s). See what kind of game you both can come up with.
Go To The Park
Take a little field trip to the park and have a fun day playing outside with your little one(s).
Have A Craft Day
Here is another activity that requires some imagination. With the help of Pinterest, you can plan a great craft day that both you and your child(ren) will love.
Read A Book
Reading a book is a great activity to help kids learn, practice imagination, and more. Let them help you pick their favorite book and make it an interactive storytelling.
Use A Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a fun tool to get your kiddo(s) engaged in all of their senses in a fun way. They will think they are just playing, but a lot more learning is happening here.
Call Friends And Family
While you see your child(ren) everyday, other family members don’t get that luxury.
It’s a good idea to schedule a regular FaceTime with family members like grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, etc., but surprise phone calls can be fun too.
Clean The House Together
It’s inevitable that part of your day-to-day tasks include cleaning, more on that in the next section.
You can make this a family activity, or even a game, by getting your kid(s) involved in the task.
Challenge them to clean up their toys or see how much trash they can throw away. They will most likely be excited to help.
Go To The Zoo
Here is another field trip idea that can also be educational.
If you have a zoo near you, and it’s a nice day, head there with your kiddo(s). See if they can identify the animals they see and the sound they make.
Have A Picnic
This activity is a fun way to mix up lunchtime. You can have your picnic in your backyard, or even in the park.
Get your child(ren) involved by asking them to help you pack the picnic basket.
Play Pretend
It’s time to play pretend. Let your child(ren) takeover this activity and see where their imagination takes you.
Walk Around The Neighborhood
Take some time out of your day to go on a walk in your neighborhood with your kid(s), as long as it’s safe to do so.
Enjoy the fresh air and see if your child(ren) can identify the things they see around them.
10 Household Tasks To Get Done
While these aren’t the most fun things to add to your daily schedule, they are necessary. On the bright side, I did add a few fun household tasks, like decorating for the season, to the list.
Organize A Room In The House
Pick a room in your house to tidy up and organize.
This could be a great time to reorganize furniture if you are wanting a change.
Do Laundry
Laundry seems to be one of the household chores that keeps on giving. Odds are if you don’t know what to do you can always throw in a load of laundry.
Redecorate
If you are looking for an easy way to change up your space, redecorating could be one of the best ways to do that.
Add some new pictures or buy some new throw pillows, simple changes can go a long way.
Go To The Grocery Store
A quick trip grocery shopping can help the day pass by and can be a good break from your daily routine.
Deep Clean
On a day where you want to deep clean you may want to get child care so that you can focus on deep cleaning your house.
Go Through Clothes (Keep, Donate, Throw Away)
If you haven’t been through your closet in a while it may be time to do that again.
Go through your clothes and organize them into piles, one to keep, one to donate, and a final pile to throw away.
Decorate For The Current Season
Holidays are fun to decorate your house for.
Whether you do some light decorating or you like going all out, spend some time decorating your house when you have the time.
Wash Dishes
Here’s another not-so-fun chore that still has to be done.
Prep Meals
Prepping your meals can be a huge help, especially if you are a new mom. It may take some time, but it can also save you a ton of time in the long run.
Do Daily Cleaning Tasks
Lastly we have our daily cleaning tasks like sweeping, mopping, etc.. When all else fails, there always seems to be some type of daily cleaning task left to do.
In Summary: Things To Do As a Stay-at-Home Mom To Fight Boredom
Next time you aren’t sure what to fill you and your child(ren)’s day-to-day activities with, check out this list to give you some ideas. Let me know in the comments what are some of your favorite things to do as a stay-at-home mom.
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