Ages 3–7Free
Quiet Time Activities: Calm Colouring, Mazes and Stories
- Ages 3–10
- Free to print
- Many play on screen
Quiet time is a rest without having to sleep: a calm half-hour after lunch, before bed or after a busy morning. These activities were picked because they are absorbing but not exciting: nature and night-time colouring, gentle mazes, dot-to-dot pictures, I spy scenes and slow, cosy picture books.
What’s inside
Choose an age to see only the sheets that fit.
Our picks
Popular sheets first. Every one can be printed; most can also be played on screen with instant marking.
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 3–8Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 3–8Free
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 6–11Free
Ages 3–8Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 3–8Free
Ages 6–9Free
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 3–6Free
Ages 7–10Free
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 3–7Free
Ages 5–7Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 5–10Free
Ages 3–5Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 4–8Free
Ages 3–5Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 3–6Free
Ages 3–5Free
Ages 4–9Free
Ages 5–10Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 5–10Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 5–10Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 5–10Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 3–7Free
Ages 3–6Free
Ages 3–6Free
Ages 3–6Free
Ages 3–6Free
Activity books
Themed workbooks that collect many pages in one printable book.
More about this collection
Set up the space the same way each time: a cushion, a lamp, a tray with the page and crayons. Many children resist “rest” but accept “quiet time with your colouring”. A visual timer helps them see how long is left.
The best quiet-time activities can be done alone, have a clear end and do not need help. Choose pages your child already knows how to do; save new challenges for times when you are close by. For older children, a picture book, a calm drawing lesson or a nature colouring scene can turn quiet time into a favourite part of the day rather than a chore.
How to use these
- Prepare a quiet-time tray with a page and a few crayons.
- Use a timer so children know how long it lasts.
- End with a calm story, read or listened to.
Related collections
Worksheet topics
Questions and answers
What is quiet time for children?
A daily rest period, often replacing a nap, when children play calmly and alone in a quiet space.
How long should quiet time last?
Start with 15 to 20 minutes and build up to 45 minutes or an hour if your child enjoys it.
Are these printables free?
Yes. Every sheet marked Free can be printed or played as often as you like, at home or in class. Premium activity books are marked.
How do I print a sheet?
Open a sheet and choose Print. It fits A4 and US Letter paper. Most sheets can also print with an answer key on a separate page.
Can children do them on a tablet?
Most can: press Play to answer on screen with instant marking and stars. Colouring and drawing pages can be done with a finger or stylus too.