12 things to do while your baby naps

Last Updated on May 1, 2024

One of the most frequent things I got told when my boys were babies was to nap when they nap, but napping was the last thing I wanted to do when I finally had a moment to myself.

If you don’t want to nap when your baby naps, but would like some ideas on what you could do, then here are 12 things to do while your baby naps, or while your toddler naps.

As well as having a relaxation component, these ideas also allow you to feel like you’ve achieved something, especially the ideas that take longer than one naptime to complete.

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Make fun plans

Do you have a holiday coming up, a celebration, birthday, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or another national holiday that you’d like to start planning for?

If so, naptime is the perfect time to brainstorm places to go, things to organise, themes to implement, or anything else that you need to consider for these occasions.

Starting a Pinterest board, or looking at other’s Pinterest boards for ideas is a great starting point when planning these occasions, and is the perfect platform to make you sit down and relax at the same time.

Start a scrapbook

If you’d prefer to have something more tangible when making the above plans, then starting a scrapbook may be a better option for you than Pinterest.

You could also start a scrapbook to store baby photos, record milestones and memories, or capture your children’s early years.

Head outdoors

As mums we often spend a lot of time indoors, so heading outdoors during naptime, even if it means just standing by the door for a small amount of time, is a nice way to break up the day, and get some fresh air as well.

Write a to visit list

Writing a to visit list is something you can also do during naptime, which is a list of places you’d like to visit at some stage.

Some examples of a to visit list are:

• Family friendly travel destinations
• Day out ideas
• Local soft play centres
• Local parks
• Local mum and baby groups

Write a to do list

Another list you could write is a to do list of everything you want to accomplish during the week.

Having a list of everything you want to do, and then writing down the days you want to get the things done on, means you also have a list of things to do each day during naptime.

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Watch anything apart from kid’s shows

Cbeebies is on my TV just about all day some days, so much so that I mostly know what show is on before it’s even started!

One of the things to do while your baby naps, or in my case while your toddler naps, is to watch something that’s not for young kids.

Sometimes watching TV is the best way to recharge your battery for whatever the rest of the day holds, once naptime is over.

Have lunch

The first thing I do when my toddler naps is eat lunch, so I can eat in peace, and eat before my food gets cold.

Declutter

If you’ve been here for some time you’ll know that I love a good declutter.

For me decluttering is relaxing, as my brain can’t handle my house when things feel out of control.

When my toddler’s having a nap I’ll often tackle a decluttering project that I can’t do when he’s awake, such as clearing out the kitchen, and putting everything on the floor to assess what I really need.

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Start dinner

Doing whatever you can to get dinner ready early gives you more time to yourself at night, and can save you from getting takeaway.

This is also a great idea if like my toddler, your toddler clings to you whenever you try to cook something, which often results in eating late, or eating something that doesn’t require high heat.

Starting dinner during naptime could mean something as simple as cutting up vegetables, or cooking pasta.

Go for a walk

My oldest son would only nap in the car or in his buggy, so if you have a little one that’s the same, then take a drive to your favourite walking spot, or walk there if it’s local, and walk while they nap.

You could also listen to your favourite podcast, music, or an audiobook while you walk, so you’re taking time out for yourself as well.

Get social

Getting in contact with friends by text, email, or calling them to catch up, or to arrange a face-to-face catch up, is a great thing to do while your baby naps.

Staying connected to those who mean a lot to you is really important in the early stages of motherhood.

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Read

I love reading, I try to do it before I go to bed, but sometimes I’m just too tired, which makes naptime the best time for me, and maybe you as well, to read.

You could also read a magazine if you’d prefer, whatever you read, reading is a great way to relax, and clear your mind of whatever thoughts you may be having.

Is there anything on this list that you’d like to start doing during naptimes?