Since we are being asked to stay at home to help stop the spread of the virus, we are faced with another challenge: keeping our kids entertained. Let’s face it, keeping the children entertained on a good day is hard enough. But with the whole family now stuck at home, it is guaranteed to make it even harder. Here are ten ways to keep the kids busy at home, through activities which promote education and plenty of fun.
- Use your backyard
If you have your own backyard space, make sure to take advantage of that! Whether it be blowing bubbles, throwing a ball, playing Frisbee or using a skipping rope, there are heaps of fun things to do. You could even eat your lunch outside for a change and have a family picnic.
- Cook something
Cooking with your kids does not have to be stressful… it can be a super fun activity! Getting your children involved with the process of preparing food teaches a lot about responsibility, and they will most likely feel valued to be a part of that. There are many positive outcomes that can come from being involved in the kitchen, particularly building up healthy food habits. It does not have to be anything fancy, but just ensure that you are directly supervising your kids to maximise safety at all times.
- Get creative
Why not get arty with your kids? There are so many different forms of art, which means there is most likely something that will engage the kids. Examples include drawing, painting, collages, sewing, play dough, sculpting, origami, rock painting, chalk and tie dye. Follow a YouTube DIY video or make it up as you go for guaranteed fun and excitement.
- Watch a movie
Putting on a movie every now and then can be a great way to relax and learn about something new. There are many movies and documentaries that are not only engaging but are perfect tools to promote education. The perfect way to fill in what would have been described as a “boring” day!
- Play a game
Not only are games fun, they are also the perfect way to pass time whilst using your brain! There are so many different games that suit different age groups, whether it’s a game of memory for the little ones or a lengthy game of Monopoly for the older ones there is something for everyone. Don’t have any games at home? Many websites offer free printable board games. Here are a few of our favourites:
https://www.printableboardgames.net/
https://www.education.com/worksheets/printable-board-games/
- Exercise
Exercise doesn’t have to be boring – it can be lots of fun! As a family you could come up with your own home workout, including things such as star jumps, bunny hops, leap frogs, squats and crunches. Do it as a team or you could do it individually and have a mini competition. YouTube have many videos to follow along with, so be sure to check it out for some fun family exercise. Here a few fun follow along videos:
- Gardening
Whether you’re a bit of a green thumb, or don’t know a single thing about gardening, getting the kids in the garden can be a fun and positive experience. If you have the space outside you could start a vegetable patch, or if you’re lacking the area you could plant some seeds into some pots kept indoors. Great satisfaction can come from successfully growing something from scratch, and the kids will love that, especially if they’re apart of the process right from the beginning.
- Build a fort
As simple as it may be, kids love indoor forts! Use pillows, blankets and furniture to create a little hideaway, perfect for reading books, imaginary play and many other things. Younger kids may need a bit of help putting a fort together, but older kids can have a lot of fun with the building process.
- Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way to pass time while doing something educational. Perfect for all ages and abilities; complete it all in one sitting or in multiple sessions. The satisfaction and sense of accomplishment is something special, and a great goal to work towards. What size puzzle are you going to choose?
- Read a book
Reading is an educational way for children to unwind and use their imagination. Younger kids may need some help, but older ones should be able to read independently. If you do not have books available at home to read, you could use an online library resource such as eBooks, or even audio books. Ask your children what topics they are interested in and find a book for them to read based off that.
We hope that these ten ways to keep your kids entertained has helped spark some ideas for you and your family. Make sure to find us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected, as well as hear about other fun activities to try at home. We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, so if you could benefit with a bit of extra support for your family do not hesitate to reach out.
