Other countries like China and Italy have been battling COVID-19 for a few months now, but here in the U.S. this virus is just ramping up.
Everything is changing so quickly and we are not medical professionals so we’ll leave the recommendations to those that are. For the most up to date recommendations check out the WHO and CDC recommendations
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Findex.html
Totally bored during quarantine?
Different areas of the U.S. are experiencing a shut down at different levels.
Currently in our area all schools and non-essential businesses are shut down. We are trying to do our part to flatten the curve and comply with current guidelines on social distancing, staying at home and avoiding gatherings.
Although it has only been a few weeks, it seems like all of our (virtual) conversations with family and friends have been centering around how to combat the boredom, entertain kiddos at home and not go stir crazy. So we thought we would do a quick round up of how to have fun at home.
How to keep the kids entertained
1. Implement a daily routine/schedule
It’s no secret that developmentally most kids thrive on structure. When school is out and their normal routine is disrupted, it’s easy to fall into the trap of getting to the end of the day and wondering where the day went.
Create a schedule for your days and hang it where it’s visible. Whether your kids are preschool age or older, they can (1) follow along with the schedule, (2) know where they are in the day and (3) know what’s coming up next.
Here are a few sample schedules you could use or adapt:
One of my friends created this schedule for her toddler. I love it because the icons clue him into what’s coming next even though he can’t read!
2. Do a sensory bin activity or create a “breakfast invitation”
Whether your kid is several months or several years old, spending a few minutes setting up a couple activities the night before can keep your kiddos entertained for a couple solid chunks of time the next day. Here are some of our favorite Instagram accounts to follow for ideas like these:
3. Do a science experiment
Again, this takes a bit of pre-planning to assemble everything you need to lay it all out, but it will entertain your kiddos for a decent chunk of time and they (and likely you) will learn something in the process too.
For school aged kids:
For preschool kids:
4. Teach life skills
Even if your kids are very young, there are still some important life skills you can begin to teach them. Even toddlers are capable of more than you may think. Our 2 (almost 3) year old is responsible for:
- “Making his bed” in the morning (arranging his stuffed animals and helping fold his blanket).
- Putting away the silverware and his own plates/bowls/cups/utensils every time we run the dishwasher.
- Taking his dishes and utensils to the sink and wiping down his spot at the table after each meal.
- Helping with the laundry (he helps measure the detergent, push the buttons, is learning how to fold towels and puts away his own clean laundry in his drawers.
We are also beginning to teach him about finances. When he gets money for a gift, we are starting to teach him the 10/10/80 principle. 10% is to give away, 10% is to save and the other 80% is for him to do what he wants (obviously within reason).
If your child is older, you can teach him or her about creating a personal budget, investing, doing the laundry from sort to fold, age-safe yard work and how to inventory food to create a shopping list.
Here is a list of a few life skills to teach your kids during this time:
Here is a list of age-appropriate chores for all different age ranges
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/chores-for-children#1
5. Make your own hand sanitizer
With many stores out of hand sanitizer, you can involve the kids in helping make your own. All you will need is:
- A washed out bottle of hand sanitizer or hand soap
- A funnel
- ⅔ cup 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- ⅓ cup aloe vera gel
- 8-10 drops essential oil
Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon. Using the funnel, spoon the hand sanitizer into the empty bottle.
6. Opt outside
This probably goes without saying, but it is much harder to feel cooped up in your house when you’re not in your house!
Get out and take a walk or play in your yard or driveway. A few basics we always try to keep on hand are sidewalk chalk and bubbles. With the water getting warmer, a water table, a sprinkler attachment or splash pad are great additions to your outside toys!
7. Make elderberry syrup
Everyone is looking to boost their immune system these days.
It takes a bit of time to make it correctly, but we make at least one batch of this elderberry syrup each flu season to help keep our immune systems firing on all cylinders. We love this recipe because it approaches making this elderberry syrup from a more scientific standpoint. Franklin School is an educational institute that does ongoing clinical research.
One note: this syrup does contain honey so it should not be used for babies under 12 months old.
Another note: following a blogger’s elderberry recipe could be dangerous. If you don’t cook the dried berries long enough, a harmful toxin won’t be properly broken down. Make sure your source is credible!
You will need:
8. Virtual story time
Collaborate with some friends to do virtual read-alouds of some of your favorite books.
Since we can’t get to the library to check out new books, some of our friends are going live on facebook or instagram at certain times each day reading a couple books. If you gather a few friends to all contribute, you could each do a virtual read aloud one day a week to let your kids hear a new story. It’ll provide you with a little sense of community even if it’s over your computer screen.
9. Create a scavenger hunt
Take a few minutes to write out 5-10 clues.
Things like “you’ll find your next clue hiding with the snacks” (clue in the pantry). You can leave little treats or activities with every clue or keep it simple and let finding each clue be the surprise. This is sure to entertain your kids (at least for a few minutes).
10. Other kids learning resources
This site is a great resource for “work beside me” activities your toddler or preschooler can do if you’re a work-from-home parent during this time:
https://www.toddlerapproved.com/2020/03/toddler-activities-for-working-parents.html?m=1
http://Explore.org/livecams is offering live streams of lots of different animals. It’s like going to the zoo, virtually!
*The John F Kennedy of Performing Arts Facebook page will feature the author Mo Williams at 1:00 doing live drawings with kids called-
11. Lunch Doodles
Entertainment for the grown-ups (kids can help with some of these too):
1. Do a house project
While you’re stuck at home, might as well be productive and make your home as beautiful as possible, right? Here are a few of our favorite house projects:
2. Take a hike
Get the feeling of leaving your house without actually having to go to a crowded “public” place while still practicing social distancing.
If you get lucky, maybe you can pick some wildflowers along the way. To plan your next hike, check out https://www.trails.com/hiking. Click on your state and from there you can search within a certain area. Or search by distance, dog friendly, kid friendly, includes waterfalls plus a whole bunch of other criteria.
3. FaceTime a friend
Whether you’re an introvert or an extravert, we all start to miss the feeling of community with our friends when we’re in isolation for too long. Take a break each day to connect virtually with friends and family.
4. Make date night a priority
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite date night ideas here. Make it a weekly (or nightly) date night and use some of our “date night in” ideas to get you started.
5. Plant a garden
You can order seeds online or if you’re willing and able to venture out for some seedlings, you can start a beautiful garden for your family. As an added bonus, you can use this as an activity to involve the kiddos!
Learn how to make a raised-bed garden here:
For help troubleshooting and our recommendations on organic herbicides and pesticides:
6. Try a new recipe
While you’re stuck inside, you may as well hone in your cooking skills. Choose a new recipe or two you’re excited about and get cookin’.
Here are a few of our favorite recipes to try:
7. Serve your community
Contact local food pantries and organizations that serve the less fortunate in your area and find out if there are opportunities to serve while still abiding by social distancing.
For example, food pantries in our area are allowing volunteers to deliver boxes of groceries. Give blood if you are able. Some of the medical professionals I know are testifying to the fact that hospitals are using more blood than usual now, so it’s a great time to give.
8. Organize and declutter your home
Put all this time at home to good use, clear out the clutter so you can enjoy your time in your nice, clean space and get a fresh start. We love the room by room decluttering checklist that can be found here:
