Keeping Kids Entertained While Working at Home

Toddler –homeschooled under 8 or so
This is probably another topic I will add to as things come up. As a work at home parent of a toddler myself, I am constantly coming up with activities that I can do with my son and also allow myself to get work done.
My son is at the age where he likes to do things that Mommy and Daddy do. He tells us all the time he’s a big boy and getting bigger every day in hopes to be able to do the exact same things we do. I do a lot of reading, writing, emailing, typing and not a lot of talking on the phone. This makes it a little easier to do work with a little guy at home since as long as the noise-level isn’t ear-piercing or way too loud, it’s acceptable.
~Arts and Crafts~
Many articles for work at home parents give ideas and advice for arts and craft projects to keep their little ones busy while they work. The great thing about arts and crafts is that children are really only limited by their imagination, which at this age is pretty unlimited.
Keeping a supply of paper, construction paper, kid-friendly scissors (if your child is coordinated to handle them with your supervision), crayons, colored pencils, stencils, and other crafty items on hand in your office can help keep toddlers entertained. Also, mazes are a fantastic way for your child to develop hand-eye coordination, problem solving and small motor skills including helping with penmanship. What a great way to encourage education and learning, and keep them entertained while you work!
Here are some links where you can print free mazes and other craft idea pages: http://www.printactivities.com/Mazes.html
http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/
~Assistant Helper~
No matter what I am doing: cooking, reading, writing/typing, crafting or working, I have a toddler who likes to help. Obviously there are things that he cannot help with in each category, but luckily there are many alternatives out there for him to do while I am completing those tasks. During crafting time, I need to have something similar to what I am doing that he can do. I want to encourage him to do and learn. Obviously there are some things he just cannot do yet. That’s where the compromise comes in.
Setting up a desk (you can get a cheap desk from IKEA or someplace similar that can be used for your assistant helper) can make them feel important and like they are really helping you. Having a age-appropriate computer can also be fun (I recommend Vtech Tote and Go Laptop –helped my son recognizing letters and numbers and even letter sounds by 18 months! Or another laptop computer for kids.) Also perhaps a play phone and papers they can write on/draw on.
You can even have them help with small tasks such as stapling papers, sorting papers or mail, or even cleaning and/or organizing.

Preschool, kindergartner
Having children that do go to school for a few hours a day can be both helpful and hectic. It does give you that few hours to get things done without having your little one there, but it also means you have to get your little one up and ready to go on someone else’s schedule (the school’s) and also pick them up.
This is where -scheduling your day can come in handy. Try to make all your important calls or duties that require uninterrupted time to be completed during the time the kids will be at school. All other tasks and assignments that can be completed, such as typing/writing, reading, planning, can be completed while the kids are home. While the kids are home, the art or helper activities/suggestions can come in handy.

School aged
This is to some the excellent time for work. You have most of 8 hours or so, depending on the school district system, in order to do your work. This can be even more convenient if your child/ren ride the bus. You can plan your work and set your hours when the kids will be at school.