For Slow, Screen-Free Mornings
Morning Basket Kits for Toddlers & Babies
Mornings don’t have
to start with a screen.
You don’t need to prep activities each night or spend hours searching Pinterest. You just need something waiting for them when they wake up.
Each kit gives you simple, low-prep activities to set out in the morning, so your little one wakes up curious, plays on their own, and you get to drink your coffee while it’s still warm.
Loved by 8,000+ families.
The morning you keep picturing is closer than you think.
The Energy Gap
They wake up with full energy. You wake up wondering where your energy went.
The Screen Guilt
The remote is right there, and you’ve been reaching for it often. You aren’t anti-screens, but you want another option.
The Cold Coffee
You made the coffee. Now let’s enjoy it while it’s still warm.
“Every day is a fresh page. You get to choose what goes on it first.”
— Lauren Carlson
How it works
Ready in under 10 minutes.
Choose the basket for their age.
Ready-to-go printable activities with little to no prep required.
Keep it nearby.
After breakfast, bring out the basket and choose 1 to 2 activity pages to start.
Give it 10 days.
Build a rhythm with the basket, and they'll begin to expect it as part of their day, and even look forward to it!
Don't want to print? Four Pillars Printing ships it ready to use.
Choose your kit
Ready for every season. From busy babies to starting school, there's a basket for where you are right now.
Instant digital download · Print at home or order it printed
Baby's First Morning Basket
50+ simple ideas for busy babies
Download now
Most loved
Toddler Morning Basket
Our most loved basket for little hands
Download now
Preschool Morning Basket
Ready for school,the gentle way Download now
Questions you might have
Is this a physical basket or a download?
It’s an instant digital download. Right after checkout you’ll get a high-resolution PDF to print at home. Don’t want to print? Four Pillars Printing will print it and ship it to you, ready to go. For the basket itself, any basket you already have works.
Which kit should I choose?
Choose for where your little one is right now. Baby’s First Morning Basket is for ages 1 to 2, the Toddler Morning Basket is for ages 2 to 4, and the Preschool Morning Basket is for ages 4 to 6. Have two little ones? The bundle covers both.
Do I need special supplies?
Not really. Most activities use things you already have, like crayons, paper and playdough. Every kit includes a list of simple art and craft basics to keep on hand.
How long does morning basket time take?
We typically take 30 minutes to an hour, but you can tailor it to go longer or shorter to accommodate what’s best for your family’s schedule.
What if my child isn’t interested?
That’s completely normal at first! Give it 10 days. Sit with them for the first few mornings, then slowly step back. Most kids start looking forward to their basket once it becomes part of the rhythm.
Can I use it with more than one child?
Yes! Print as many copies as your family needs.
Try your first morning basket, on us.
Not sure where to start? Get four ready-to-print activities, a gentle guide for your very first morning, and a little note from me, sent straight to your inbox.
- 4 low-prep printables, including a morning song
- A 10-minute plan for your first morning
- A 10-day tracker your little one can color in
You'll also get Joymail with activity ideas. Unsubscribe anytime.
Notes from mornings like yours:
Real notes from real mamas, shared with permission. So grab your coffee, round up your tiny crew, and come join us, friend. We ride at dawn.
Hi! I just wanted to share a little note of appreciation! My daughter started TK this fall, and it was a tricky transition for her. Our mornings became hectic, emotional, and difficult for everybody, so I decided to make a change and started doing your morning baskets. The transformation in our morning energy has been huge! Both of my kids look forward to getting up to do it! They know we're not turning the TV on and we're gonna go sit down at the big table while we get breakfast ready, put calm music on, and turn down the lights. We just kind of start the day mellow and peaceful, and your baskets have really been such a treat and such a change, and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing them and for creating the program!
I just ordered your activity kit and my goodness thank you so much!!!!!!!! I have been battering my brain trying to find things for my son to do when I need to work with his brothers and this is so perfect for me to supplement whatever I am doing with him! You are a lifesaver!!
You're welcome, we love your morning basket resource here, all the way from Australia 🇦🇺
Thank you! I just signed up for your monthly subscription. Wow what beautiful graphics! I am so amazed at your work. Thank you, thank you thank you! This morning I threw together a super quick basket with activities and my husband couldn't believe how she didn't ask for the TV and not even any sugary snacks. This is just the beginning and I'm so excited. Thank you for what you're doing to help us mama's out there.
Inspired by you I started morning basket regime 1 month ago for my twins and voilà.. you have changed our lives! Thank you
Your morning basket and activities have been a game changer during this snow week we just had! ❄️😅
LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! I host a grandma camp each year and this will be perfect! I've had to create my own in the past.
We purchase everything you create but excited to add this to the kitchen table too 💗
Hi, I'm Lauren & I'm so glad you're here!
I live in Georgia with my three kids, our dog Captain, and husband, Josiah. Being a mom of three is the most beautiful, messy, inspiring, and tiring role I've ever had.
After more than 10 years teaching hip-hop dance and six years as a Children's Pastor and curriculum writer, I became a mom. When I had my second child, I created Joy of Creative Play to take the guesswork out of early learning and bring joy back into the ordinary parts of our days.
MEET LAUREN
Hi! I’m Lauren, founder of Joy of Creative Play and I’m so glad you’re here! I live in Georgia with my 3 little kids, dog named Captain, and best friend/husband Josiah.
Becoming a mom of three is the most beautiful, messy, inspiring, and tiring role I’ve ever had. With over 10 years of experience teaching children, my hope is to bring joy back into even the most mundane routine parts of our days at home. Welcome to Joy of Creative Play, where we take out the guesswork of education and provide you with creative play activities that foster your child’s love for learning! I hope you stay a while.
Creating joy in the ordinary moments of motherhood
What Others Are Saying
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This has been so helpful for my nearly 3yr old twins. We were in a bad rut of AM TV and this has been an easy switch that my girls are more than happy to do every morning when they wake up.
Sophia (mom of 3 yr old twins)
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We love our Morning Basket time!! I appreciate how developmentally appropriate they are for little ones.
Zoe (Ot Practitioner)
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My 4 year old LOVES having our Morning Basket routine and my 2 year old basically shadows the big one. lol We have found such a nice flow to our routine.
Amanda (mom of 2, former teacher)
Choose Your Kit
babies 1st learning basket
$17
50+ activities
to start a
learning basket
with your baby
Popular
Morning basket Vol 1.
$39
100+ activities morning basket curriculum for
ages 2-5
Morning Basket Vol 2.
$39
100+ activities morning basket curriculum for
ages 4-6
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