Top 5 Great Ways To Keep Kids Entertained

Finding a fun and creative way to keep your children entertained and engaged shouldn’t be difficult. In this video, I’ll share my Top 5 ways to keep my children entertained and add some links you might find helpful!
1. “Your Story Hour” Audio Books 🎧
Learn More: www.yourstoryhour.org/?gad=1&...
2. Magna-tiles 🏢
Learn More: www.amazon.com/dp/B07QNKP2X4?...
3, Young Wild and Friedman Sensory Boxes 🎁
Learn More: www.youngwildandfriedman.com/...)
4. Paper Crafts 📑
Our kids draw people, stores, vehicles, etc. and have created a small town for their drawings to come to life! It’s so exciting to see their creativity as they create their own little world!
5. Family Time - Watching our Favorite Show(s) 💻
While we don’t have a TV in our home, we do gather together to watch an occasional show on our family computer.
📺 Top 5 Shows We Watch and Recommend:
1. Owlegories (www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...)
2. Davey & Goliath (www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...)
3. Character Builders (www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...)
4. The Music Machine (www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...)
5. Torchlighters (torchlighters.org/)
🍿 Recommended Movies:
The Riot and the Dance - riotandthedance.com/
What are some of your favorite tips, tricks, and ideas for entertaining your children? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
-Chad and Erin
Connect with us:
📸 Instagram: / chad_erinpaine
👤 Facebook: chadanderin
💻 Learn more: chadanderin.com

[@suesmith776]

Boy if all Mother's were like you, and fathers like Chad! It would be a different world!

[@nickiehines5319]

Amen!

[@melaniepalmer4206]

They are Spirit led and the BEST Bates younger couples to learn from❤

[@daniellethomas6989]

Definitely.

[@priscillarobinson7740]

A DOUBLE AMEN TO THAT ❤❤❤

[@Ashley-Miller]

Yes!! Amen ❤

[@username5733]

Thank you for using your channel to bless others and to bring glory to Christ’s name. I appreciate your values, your heart and dedication to your faith and family.

[@KelseyJBeason]

I am a mom of 6, soon to be 7 and I am learning so many tips from you! I would love a video showing your family's daily routine/how you get it all done in a day. Your children and you always look put together and on top of things. I'd love to see the practical nature of how this works.

[@db1993.]

I would love to see this too. Daily routines/ How you manage to keep up on the housework, kids, food, etc. I have 2 children and am greatly struggling, and need help.

[@hziebart]

NOBODY’S life looks 100% put together as this. Nobody. These vids are a ‘blip’ of their lives. This is one of the dangers of social media. What you see is not all there is to it. Ever.

[@TaylorNJones]

Could you please do a video on what a day at your house looks like? For instance when you wake up what do you all do? I’m trying to get my kids away from tv but it is so hard. What about your homeschool routine? I’d love to see how that works with all of your kiddos. Thank you so much for all of the inspiration ❤

[@jenniferbryan5775]

One thing I would recommend for "quiet hour" is adding in Drama studies. For example, you could task the children with using the time to come up with a script, costumes, and blocking for a scene. They can work on it over a week and then perform it for you and chad on Friday/Saturday evening. It's a great way to add in performance arts into their curriculum in a fun way. Plus kids love using an old sheet as a robe/toga :-)

[@trishacarter8047]

I’m a new mama here! So I REALLY enjoy videos like this because I have to start thinking what I want to do with my baby girl!

[@patriciatodd8552]

The kids play so well together and it is evident that your family is blessed by love and unity,

[@rachaelsmith7924]

The Davey and Goliath series came out in 1961,I loved that shows, when I was a kid,I'm 66 yrs old and still enjoy them.

[@rachelconstine9401]

Another great nature show with great music is anything with Buddy Davis (with Answers in Genisis) not animated , but we love him! He has several series, but "out and about" is our favorite! He finds animals and food in nature, sings with one of his many instruments, does magic tricks, reads from the Bible, and draws. He is a calm person and draws your attention to God.

[@PunkSkunker]

I remember Davey and Goliath!! My son also liked donut man and adventures in bibleland books. He was also such a creative child and now at 26 his art is amazing. I love all of your ideas and how you encourage their creativity, such great memories they’ll have! God bless❤️

[@linnaebiegel6283]

I'm not married yet, but I love learning from you ahead of time! :) Thank you so much for the beautiful hearts that you and Chad have, and for instilling Jesus' love into those around you. You have blessed me for a lot of years now.

[@elizabethcarney3608]

Wonderful video. We raised our 2 daughters without television & it made a huge difference in their lives. They also attended Catholic school. I would not change a yhing. Both are wonderful women!

[@racheldovi2911]

Brings up so many memories of the way I was raised!! 😭🤗😍

[@jodimurphy8440]

As a mom of a 10 yo, only child, boy with mobility issues, thank you for these great options! He loves Adventures in Odyssey (maybe not your favorite as it’s not a book), which has expanded his vocabulary and the people/history/Bible lessons he’s learned are wonderful. We enjoy a lot of audiobooks as well. Thanks for the other recommendations!

[@melodieharder7654]

Agreed! Open ended toys and crafts are wonderful. Duplo Lego, wooden trains/tracks, washable paints (I put a cheap dollar store table cloth for easy clean up when the kids were little), making paper airplanes, Lego, Dollhouse (I made my own and invested in Lori dolls and furniture-they are I think 6 inch dolls that are similar styled to 18 inch dolls), 18 inch dolls/cloths (I have the brand Sears used to sell-one for each girl), Stuffed animals, Cars/trucks and a road map, plastic animals/dinosaurs. You can rotate them. Hours of play. I also saw an idea one Christmas to make fort kits. I went to the thrift store-found some matching coloured sheets, sewed duffle bags and put a few sheets inside. Added plastic clothes pins from the dollar store, glow sticks, flashlight, etc…printed out a free Fort kit printable and laminated it and attached it onto the bags. Games are great as well. UNO flip, Qwirkle, Blokus, Carcassonne, Blink, Ticket to Ride, Pit, Monopoly deal, and many more. My kids are a little older now and have asked for certain art supplies for Christmas. Detailed colouring books, watercolour paints/paper, different pencils for shading sketching, moldable erasers, quality colour pencils, etc.

[@jilliancurran762]

Thanks, great info, so creative!

[@rondastothers472]

I was raised with a quiet time slot in our day and in the evening. I did the exact same with my twin boys and then my daughter. I had 50-100 books they could hold and then they put their tape in and loved it for an hour or two.

[@judilogan4661]

Omg! I started out with My Bible Friends set of books with audio tapes for my kids when they were little! They are in their 40s and 50s now! They loved Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue and we actually got to meet Aunt sue! I still have the books and tapes and used them with my sunday school class many times! Such a wonderful resource for children! I wish home schooling would have been in vogue back then i would have surely home schooled my children! My oldest one did go to christian school until 3rd grade! Love you and your whole family! Congratulations on a new baby boy! You and Alyssa got or are getting your prayed for boys! My sons are 7 yrs apart and my second son i always called my prayed for baby! Then God surprised us with a daughter 2 years later! I have 5 precious grandchildren, the oldest startong her sophomore year in college!

[@claudia_christianmommy]

Thank you for your recommendations! I wish I had a mom friend like you in my neighborhood. You are a treasure of a Christ centered mom!

[@thrifty_wifemomma_of2331]

We love adventures in odyssey, Jonathan park, jungle jam, little dogs on the prairie, and the Pond.

[@renanims6630]

Feature Films for Families are actual movies that teach life lessons. The best part is on the back of the CD are questions you can ask about the film & discuss as a family. Also, for streaming is Pure Flix.

[@jodikenworthy2475]

Erin, you & chad are very wise. These kids will be great adults. I absolutely know this, bc of the efforts you both make❤

[@williambraddock9123]

Brilliant ideas to help your children learn more about God and His creation. Love all the ideas that develop imagination and creativity. I love the emphasis on art as well. Thanks for sharing, Erin. Phyllis in St Augustine.

[@glendarussell3778]

This is basically how we raised our children, you will not regret it. Some other suggestions are Adventures in Odyssey, Patch the Pirate, and there used to be a set of recordings to introduce your children to the classical music composers. One was Beethoven the Man Upstairs, another was Tchaikovsky Comes to America. The ones I listened to were Good. Someone else to check out is YWAM publishing. I'm not sure if they have recordings but all of their books which introduced you to missionaries and important historical people are good. You're doing a great job. Keep it up.

[@mellybee8322]

I loved listening to Adventures in Odyssey

[@happyhomeschool1228]

Yes! We ❤ Patch the Pirate!

[@Mariekr49]

But where are u watching these? You have to pay?

[@laurenrasmussen7997]

Your kids are super artistic if they are making all of those paper crafts!! I can't even do that 😆 love it!

[@marlasturgill8306]

My children grew up watching Veggie Tales and we had other movies Christian base that they watched and also I would read to them from the Bible and we had a Bible Book I could read too them. They were little like yours, I think you and Chad are doing Amazing job with your children they truly are Blessed... Erin you are an Amazing Mom and you are teaching them well...

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

Great advice Erin. You are a great mom. I love your sweet family.

[@AlabamaVal]

You two are amazing! Wish you were on tv to reach more people. TLC and HGTV are missing a treasure

[@labreeskahailey9810]

I am Pentecostal but I went to and graduated from a Baptist school. One of our favorite things growing up was Patch the Pirate (Ron Hamilton). It's fun, character building, dramatized, and has music. I still like to sing those songs to my kids. They're so good. Unfortunately, Patch recently passed away after an illness of Dementia. Another option is Adventures in Odyssey. It might be better for 5 or 6 and older. They're both on CD. There are some Odyssey that is on DVD but they're mostly dramatized. They would be great for long road trips to help pass the time. We used to listen to all of this even while we were playing.

[@vickiford7768]

My kids just loved "My Story Hour"..! We also loved the Patch the Pirate CD's to listen too on long car rides or during quiet time..lots of fun music included! They are from Majesty Music and usually have a great sale around Christmas.

[@lightoftheworld77]

You are such a beautiful wise mother and your family is such a breath of fresh air! Thank you!

[@jasonandstephaniewise5068]

They have on KZbin a thing about ocean and fish they can see all kinds of fish, dolphins, sea turtles. There’s only instrumental music playing. It would be a great learning and relaxation. I actually enjoy this myself. I will just watch it before bed and it helps me relax

[@lindahubbs8146]

Erin, your ideas make me so happy! I taught Montessori and you’re so right, sensory is so loved by children. It was the most chosen of children in my school. Oh the wonderful memories this brought back. Have you used Montessori math? Chad could make all the Montessori ways of teaching equipment. Giving children demonstrations prior to them using all things first no matter if cooking or math, science or regular toys really helps teach them to take care of everything they use for play or learning. Erin, you remind me of a Montessori teacher the way you incorporate learning and play. I loved Maria Montessori ways bse it is truly living with biblical ways with all the fruits of the Spirit included. You and Chad truly have and use the fruits of the spirit in your lives and home…it’s why we see the beauty of your children… they have respect which seems rare anymore. I want to share, Chads and your parents love for our Lord and Savior shines bse you both carried all this on to your generation and your children will do the same. This really makes Jesus happy and proud. I enjoy you so much. On a different subject could you do a cooking show on that chili sauce all got to enjoy at gpa Bills and GMA Janes 4th of July? I know you and your family weren’t able to attend this year and all missed you but I’d really like to make it…thank you each for always blessing us in some way each video…

[@peggysuegiggles9383]

adventures in odyessey is great for kids

[@wendydaves4052]

Love your ideas, my kids are grown now, but maybe someday for Grandchildren. Our son has always been creative, a big treat for him was to head to Home Depot and pick out plumbing things, all the different sizes connections, would play for hours with them in the sandbox. My husband also taught him and they built a forge and he learned to blacksmith. Going to Dollywood going to the blacksmith area was always a first stop. We live in Knoxville. ❤

[@jilliancurran762]

Awesome!!!

[@Carebear-hw3jr]

Hey Erin! Do your kids like The Adventures of Odessey?? That was one of my favorites growing up!!!!

[@charlascovil1630]

Great information! Thanks for sharing! I respect your decision to have the kids interact and do activities rather then being entertained just by screen time options. You and Chad are to be commended. Great use of you tube to share these great parenting helps!

[@JeanneJ01]

I listened to Your Story Hour when I was a kid in the 1960’s. Uncle Dan’s wife was my first grade teacher. For reading I recommend Uncle Arthur’s (Maxwell) The Bible Story. It is written for children .

[@brookerosener3186]

I'm going to show my kids the sweet little paper people and scenes so they can make some too! So sweet. Thanks for these ideas! I'm a mama to 5 as well. We also love magna-tiles! ❤

[@57msdeb]

The magna tiles are an amazing toy. They grow with the kids. My granddaughter got her first set when she was two and two brothers later with are still adding to that original set. She is just as interested at 8 as she was at two and her brothers love them too. I was able to easily teach shapes and attributes as well as kinds of triangles. I hear our 4 year old talk about how a rhombus is the same and yet different from a square, how two right triangles will make a square, etc. They are truly invaluable.

[@hollylindow-uz8xj]

Yes, the kids at church love them!

[@ashleyvick4411]

We also only do 'movie night' as a family once a week and everyone has to sit down together. We otherwise limit screens. I love the ideas of getting them more in the word! My husband bought our son (age 6) a kids audiobook Bible with music and sound effects and he begs to turn on the Bible when were driving anywhere in the car!

[@deirdreparker6961]

I'm a teacher and a mom and I found this video so helpful. Thank you both so much!! :)

[@beverlydogan4521]

theses are cute ideas i remember as a young girl i used to make paper dolls and design my own clothes for them this would be a great idea for both your 4 girls and son to do plus baby bean when hes older too ☺ ☺

[@shanahalteman5800]

Love the your story hour series and the story they picked was one of my favorite growing up!! ❤

[@rondastothers472]

I made a sensory box for my 6month old granddaughter. She loves it. I will be ordering for sure.

[@hannon092]

This is awesome Erin!! Great! Great! I personally grew up watching tv and becoming so dependent on it. In 2008 I prayed for God to lead me into a Lenten Season that would bring me closer to Him. I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to watch, read and listen to only things that pertained to Him. My life was changed forever that year and I rarely watch a lot of tv. But I am thankful for God leading me to watch Bringing Up The Bates, because I have been so blessed by you and your whole family. Blessings to you and your family and everyone who watches your channel!❤

[@CheapsKate77]

I love these ideas! My daughter used to make things out of paper all the time!

[@kaitlyngann3072]

I would LOVE to see a video on your babies sleep habits. My hardest time right now with kiddos 14 mo apart is trying to keep one entertained enough (without a screen) to let me put the baby down. Also trying to share rooms, switch the youngest out of our room, how to put multiple kids to sleep when they’re all screaming or don’t want to go to bed, etc. 😂 sleep has been the HARDEST thing about mothering littles for me. Right when I get one down, another wakes up and then they’re both up screaming… 🙃

[@csandst1]

Set up a quiet time pack n play with toys that are only for that time. 14 month old should be entertained enough to let you put your baby down. Use a white noise machine for both kids or use classical instrumental lullabies. It’ll be awhile before both naps overlap. It’s hard but just remember each day you’re closer to getting rest for yourself.

[@servantwarrior880]

Our oldest two of our five daughters are 14 months apart. I agree whole heartedly with the pack n play comment. Little baby went in our bedroom and 14 month old went into her room. White noise was a life saver for us but I didn't really use that until our third through fifth daughters. We had five girls six years old down to infant...wild days. Our oldest is now 12 and youngest is 6. Try to enjoy these moments in between the chaos because they fly by!

[@tigrlady2u]

I loved Davey and Goliath as a kid (I'm 52 now)! Adventures in Odyssey come as audio dramatizations or as cartoons... we used to listen to them on long car trips with our kids. Veggie Tales are fun, too. 😊

[@AprilKemper-ue4ju]

We like the Bernstein Bear books and dvds

[@heathersmith4608]

I watched Davey and Goliath Sunday mornings when I was a little girl. Loved it!

[@suesmith776]

Me too!

[@priscillarobinson7740]

@@suesmith776 I watched them as a child too. Now I watch Davey and Goliath with my grandchildren ❤

[@judyandrews1605]

Love it!!! Many years ago, our VBS was “The Music Machine!” It was great! Class time was learning the fruit of the spirit - music time was singing/learning all the songs - craft time was building “ The Music Machine”. The closing program was phenomenal!!! We (the adults/teachers as well as the children) all learned so much. Such a blessing!!!

[@kelk2455]

I absolutely loved the music machine as a child 😊

[@achildofgod3707]

I agree with the way you are raising them babies! You all are doing great! Keep on doing what your doing!

[@Grandmomof30]

You gave me ideas for my grandkids when they do get here so I can teach them they don't need tv to play thank you Erin n Chad for sharing things like this for us folks who need ideas for youngina

[@KatieB-qv5jl]

My children love magnetiles and your story hour also! I love the sensory box idea! Your an amazing mom!

[@roseannraupp6623]

Thanks for sharing Erin. ❤

[@Yogapunk21]

Erin, thank you for the great tip on Young +Wild and Friedman. We got our mermaid sensory kit today and it is so fun. We will be ordering more because of the quality. We also checked out some of your audiobook suggestions from our local library. Thanks for making this great video with such helpful suggestions. Your children are beautiful.

[@kristenswenson2643]

Thanks for. Show.

[@jenAKnND]

This was so helpful! I can’t wait to check out those sensory boxes. They look fantastic. I love that we already watch some of those shows. We’ve watched those nature movies as well and they are great. Thanks so much for sharing. It’s wonderful to see advice/ideas from a Christian perspective. 😍

[@tpenquin.]

You are amazing Erin! Absolutely love your videos! Dave’s and Goliath, I watched that as a child! God bless your beautiful family!

[@ShEmBecca]

I’m always looking for ideas for my grandsons (ages 7&9). They have loved working on kits that involve digging for buried treasure or arrowheads but they’ve outgrown these activities. I LOVE your ideas for your kids and what they are learning. What would you recommend for two energetic boys ages 7&9? So far they seem to love the times we learn together. I’m looking forward to hear back from you. I love you all. I’m a huge fan that’s watched your family for years. I’m just over the mountains from Knoxville but I’m in the mountains of NC. God bless you guys and your KZbin channel.

[@mskippi]

These sensory kits are awesome

[@johnensminger7675]

You are such a great example!! Thanks again!!😊

[@christiabreeden7777]

I just love yall family and approach!!

[@sarahm1236]

Thank you! Wonderful tips.❤

[@graciejeanl15]

We have a marble run that my kids love. I now have a 3 month old so I'm going to nervous with the tiny marbles when she is crawling. But my kids love it, especially my 4 year old.

[@johnensminger7675]

Thanks for sharing your life and ideas and thoughts with us! Great ideas! You guys are doing a great job! Love your channel!!!😊❤ Thanks again!

[@brandijordan9969]

Love love love these ideas!!

[@andreaazar1033]

Yay perfect timing!!! I was running out of ideas to teach my little nephew about the Bible and other fun activities!!! Thank you! 💕💕

[@kakylong2]

Erin & Chad, Great ideas. I'm definitely passing these along to some young Mom's. 😊

[@jessicabrown6943]

LOVE your recommendations!!! Thank you!!! ❤

[@rachaelsmith7924]

Erin and Chad your doing a great job raising your kids

[@akferren1]

House looks so lovely Erin! Beautiful family❤️

[@vanessazinger1562]

Theses are such great ideas from grandparents to be! I love these gift ideas thank you for sharing

[@gailewing4080]

Thank you for these great recommendations!

[@hannafrey3883]

Thank you for all of these great ideas! I’ve always loved adventures in odyssey audio books for kids.

[@deborahb3664]

Excellent suggestions!!! Thank you!! 😊😊

[@Nunyabusiness82777]

Y’all are amazing parents! ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@staceysevers4017]

All good ideas. Just curious though about the kids spending time with other kids?? Do tou put them in coop like Alyss does for social interaction.

[@darielhelge]

Love this! Thank you for sharing these resources. ❤

[@lynn7854]

Patch the Pirates and Adventure in Odysay. They are great for families.

[@deborahhopper2682]

Thanks for sharing love all of your activities ideas more parents should do these! Love Y’all! Love and Prayers Always

[@lightoftheworld77]

Legos are my boy’s favorite and they spend time together 😊

[@susanmoran692]

We love magna-tiles!!! Play dough and legos

[@robbinwhaley9378]

Awesome video!!! Thanks for sharing some great tips. Blessings!!

[@trishanolan4990]

Loved everything in this video! Thank you for sharing different resources that I have never heard of or have forgotten about. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

[@dixierachell]

Love this Erin. Great idea to get for my niece and nephews.

[@Emily-os8wz]

Love this, thanks for the ideas, have you made seek and find bottles? Put little trinkets in a clean water bottle, then add rice, or tiny beads till bottle is fixed. Make list of trinkets. Have child look for trinkets.

[@kathleencasella4703]

Awesome ideas.

[@amymarie3218]

So many great ideas!!

[@mariarickner8108]

My grandchildren love the Jonathan Park adventure series ❤

[@christinan7183]

Excellent, love it, thank u

[@emilyg1208]

Incresible ideas, such a blessing! Thankyou ❤️

[@andreafelton689]

Best people ever! 👏👍🥰

[@denisediangelo1902]

Love your ideas

[@cynthiarollins3949]

Fantastic ideas all of them💞

[@TaylorNJones]

Thank you so much for sharing this! This is amazing ❤❤❤

[@happyhomeschool1228]

Patch the Pirate was a favorite of mine growing up and also a favorite of my daughters. Great stories with awesome songs sharing biblical truths while making you giggle. 😂❤

[@roannadavis9604]

When my kids were young, we had a subscription to a Christian movie club called Feature Films for Families. I don't know if they are still around, but I still have all the DVD's from them😊

[@robertaskversky1482]

Beautiful family 😍😍❣️🤩

[@homeschoolmom779]

Love all the ideas ❤