"Parenting is tiring. It’s highly rewarding, arguably the most important job in the world, and tiring. Not only does taking care of other people take a ton of effort, little ones simply tend to have more energy than us. If you’ve ever wished you could relax while actively parenting, you’re not alone. The good news? Parents may actually be in luck thanks to the rise of horizontal parenting ideas.
This quippy term is even better than it sounds. It essentially refers to doing typical parenting activities—especially playing with kiddos—while laying down on the ground. The concept has been around much longer than the term, but now that we have a word to coin this, parents are rallying behind it. One mom in particular, Elkey Zandstra (@elkeyzandstra on TikTok), shared her husband’s affinity for the practice in a viral TikTok video with over 2 million views and 240K likes.
Below, I’m diving into the concept. Read on to find a break down of Zandstra’s video—including several horizontal parenting hacks that are simply genius—the benefits of horizontal parenting, and how you can start today.
What is Horizontal Parenting?
To define it simply, horizontal parenting is finding ways of keeping your kids entertained and engaged with you while you lie down. As we see in Zandstra’s TikTok video, the practice tends to take little effort for the parents—a monstrous bonus—while the kids are still happily engaged.
What Zandstra effectively pointed out is that horizontal parenting is a type of restful-parenting. While there is the benefit of little to no movement and the comfortability of laying down, it can actually be quite a creative endeavor. What makes this concept so entertaining for littles is when parents make a game out of it. Zandstra’s husband demonstrates this idea in several ways. For example, in one instance he wears a shirt with a racetrack on it and the kids play with toy cars on the track. In another, they set up an intense game of whack a mole.
The key takeaway from Zandstra’s video is that there are many ways to engage with your little ones that can actually take little effort on the parent’s part. Essentially, it’s a win/win all around. Check out more of the creator’s ideas that are highly creative and effective:
Why People are Loving the Horizontal Parenting Ideas
Commenters on Zandstra’s video are loving the concept too. One of the most prominent praises of the concept are the benefits it has for caregivers with chronic pain or fatigue who still want to engage with the kids in their lives. One responder pointed out how ingenious Zandstra’s husband’s ideas for interactive play were for her spouse with chronic pain. @islandflowerfarm shared, “My husband has debilitating chronic pain. It limits his ability to play with our baby. These are actually life changing ways he could interact and play with our child! Thank you for sharing!” Several other commenters shared similar thoughts.
Other commenters shared fond (and often hilarious) memories of doing similar things with their parents or siblings as kids. Plus, parents and other family members shared their ingenious horizontal parenting ideas for playtime on the floor. @ognevillelongbottomcorgi shared their game and said, “I made up a game called lasagna where we get on the couch and cover ourselves with blankets and pillows AND THEN SIZZLE TO COOK LOL.”
If the comments tell us anything, it’s that we can still be creative with playtime while being incredibly comfortable. On top of that, the whole horizontal parenting thing may be game-changing for many people. @agentweirphrey insightfully added, “I mean I know [it’s] funny and like bonding for your family, but you stumbled upon a need in our society, thank you for providing solutions.”
The Benefits of Horizontal Parenting
The parental benefits of horizontal parenting are pretty obvious. For once, you don’t have to be on your feet to engage with your children. It’s offers a restful few minutes of relaxation. On top of that, the types of activities done in this position typically don’t come with a lot of mental engagement. However, the kids still feel entertained with a fun activity to do. The concept gives parents permission to take a break, relax a little, and still spend quality time with their littles without a ton of effort they may not have.
While it may have always been something certain parents did, horizontal parenting is becoming a new and fun parent-child bonding experience. Yes engaging play is an important part of well-being and development for kids. But with self-care important for parents, too. This form of rest-based parenting may be the best of both worlds—a means of taking care of ourselves while our children are safely enjoying themselves. If you’re sold on the concept, allow me to continue with some horizontal parenting hacks and ideas to try in your own household.
Horizontal Parenting Ideas
While the purpose behind horizontal parenting is to not overthink it, it tends to work best with a little effort put in. Zandstra’s video highlights several clever ways to keep kids entertained while you relax in a flat position. In addition to those ingenious techniques, consider the following:
The Storytime Snuggle
This first idea is as simple and sweet as it sounds. Cozy up with your kiddos while lying down and tells stories. Whether it’s from a book or you come up with fun stories of your own, everyone will love this quality time.
The Toy Toss
Because kids can easily be entertained by the simplest of activities, try “the toy toss.” Simply play with soft toys and balls by tossing them around the room and having your kids bring them back to you. Does it sound like fetch? A little. But kids love it, too.
The Floor Art Studio
Artistic kids will love this one. Set up coloring pages or their favorite art supplies on the floor near you and get creative. You can even color or craft with them so they feel extra engaged.
The Treasure Hunt
There’s nothing like a good old fashioned treasure hunt. For this fun game, the parent will stay in one place lying on the ground. They’ll then come up with different items throughout the room for the kids to find and bring to them. Do some work ahead of time and hide fun objections throughout the room. If you have more than one kiddo, this can even become a fun competition.
Beauty/Barber Shop
Parents or caregivers can sit or lie down and kids can brush their hair, do their makeup, or paint their nails. While you might not want to leave the house with your new “look,” the kids will love it.
Night, Night
Parents pretend to be the kids getting put down for nap time or bedtime. Let littles read you a story, kiss your forehead, and tuck you in.
Other Horizontal Parenting Tips
To make the most of your time on the floor, keep a few things in mind:
Prepare materials in advance
Once you’ve found your comfortable spot on the floor, the last thing you’re going to want to do is get up. That’s why it’s best to have everything you and your kiddos need for interactive play in close proximity. If you’ve chosen an activity that requires some props—like Zandstra’s genius dress up game—get them prepared so they’re ready for little hands.
Choose the Right Toys
One of the pillars of horizontal parenting is relaxation for the parents. This means picking softer and quieter toys that won’t make excessive noise.
Engage Everyone
If you’ve got more than one kid, you likely know how big of a no-no it is to not include everyone in the game. Consider choosing games and activities that are engaging for everyone, whether that’s making a fun competition, taking turns, or working together on something.
Ideas for Different Age Groups
Take into consideration the age of your kids and provide age appropriate activities. Try some of the following:
- Toddlers: Peekaboo, singing songs, reading, racetrack t-shirt
- Preschoolers: Learning games like color and shape identification, crafts
- Older Kids: Interactive games, competition, scavenger hunts, storytelling, board games
The Horizontal Parenting Book and Products to Make it Easier
Since this rest-based parenting technique is a “work smarter, not harder” approach, there are some products to spark some horizontal parenting ideas. When you’re ready to go all in on horizontal parenting—or just want to try it out—consider picking up some supplies to make the experience a dream.
If you found yourself wondering, “is this really a thing?” allow this to be your answer! This book offers 50 activity ideas for tired parents and excited kiddos to try.
A t-shirt that doubles as a racetrack for toy cars? Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a makeshift back massage!
Have a spouse who could join the club? This shirt will provide the perfect “track” for little ones to play on while he relaxes.
What better reason to be lying down than acting as a patient? With this set, kids can pretend play as a doctor and have all of the tools they need.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!