play & pause board
Looking for a tool that encourages more independent play (and fewer “What do I do now?” questions)? The Play + Pause Board is a simple visual schedule that gives kids a say in their day—while helping caregivers create calmer, more structured mornings and afternoons.
With 12 flexible activity options—including art, building, pretend play, calming time, and more—this board supports creativity and routine while building independence.
This free resource includes:
12 illustrated activity cards
2 printable Play + Pause Boards (one for the morning and one for the afternoon)
One-page visual checklist with the 12 activities
Editable Canva template so you can customize icons or rename activities
Bonus tips for introducing the tool to your child
Use it as a one-page visual you laminate and reuse, a stack of cards to keep on a ring, or create a Velcro-supported version that you can update each day.
This tool is ideal for kids ages 2–9 and works beautifully during transitions, summer breaks, homeschool mornings, or quiet time resets.
Vasi’s Play + Pause Board
Here’s Vasi (just turned 3) showing off two different ways to use this tool.
1) Select the activities and create a schedule for the day using velcro and the blank board.
2) Keep the ring of activities handy so that we can go through the ring and pick something new as needed. (This is also how I store the activity cards and throw them in a mesh pencil bag.)
