How to keep kids entertained at home
The coronavirus pandemic has greatly changed the world we live in. With the social distancing precautions in place, families are now forced to stay home together, which can be challenging as our daily routines are disrupted and kids become restless.
Here are some suggested activities to keep kids entertained during this isolation period.
Arts and Crafts
Watch art lessons online – transform your kids’ YouTube screen time to art time
Make hand-drawn cards and letters for family and friends
Create your family tree on the wall
Origami paper animals and flowers
Make puppets and put on a puppet show
Write a time capsule letter to be opened in 10 years
Download free activity sheets online and print them out here
Educational
Watch science or history documentaries
Listen to kids’ audiobooks or podcasts
Learn to play a new musical instrument
Read books
Write a journal
Write stories
Indoor activities
Board games, play cards and complete puzzles together
Indoor camping
Play charades
Bake yummy treats together
Make homemade pizza
Make a home cinema – complete with popcorns, cushions and movie tickets
Lego building
Online fitness sessions – burn off that extra energy
Outdoor activities
Backyard scavenger or Easter egg hunt
Set up camp in the garden
Have a picnic lunch in your backyard
Social
FaceTime with grandparents or other family members or with their friends
Remote book read-aloud sessions –Facetime with friends or family and hold an online book club. Not only do they get to socialise, they also get to practice reading.
Pretend-play –a fun activity for all ages that lets your kids’ imagination work. One cool idea is to include them in your work from home schedule and ask them to “work” quietly at their makeshift office.
Kid friendly chores
Sort and categorise books on your shelf based on colour or height
Gardening – start your own vegetable garden
Organise toys
Let them wash their plastic toys – there’s never been a better time to sanitise them!
Check out more age-appropriate chore ideas in this link.
There are still plenty of ways to keep your kids entertained. However, it is vital that we don’t put too much pressure on ourselves to come up with all the ideas. Ask your kids to think of a few things to do too and find a balance of activities that works for the family.
