Between school closures and social distancing, family life has changed a lot in the last few weeks. While we all want the pandemic (and the health concerns that have come along with it) to end, the silver lining is the quality time we get to spend together. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to care for kids around the clock.
If you’re like many parents, you may be finding that it’s a challenge to not only ensure your kids are learning the right things, but to also keep them entertained during their downtime. Luckily, there’s no shortage of things to do if you take a creative approach!
Here are five fun activities to enjoy with your kids while you’re all quarantined…
1) Set up a scavenger hunt
It’s easy for kids to get too much screen time when they’re at home all day. To provide balance, schedule some fun, mentally-stimulating activities that have nothing to do with the digital world. A scavenger hunt is a great example. Take some time to write up a series of clues that will engage their problem-solving skills and lead them to various hiding places around the house.
Small toys, trinkets, and books make great prizes, and you can order them for delivery from many online stores. That said, you don’t have to buy anything fancy. Grabbing some chocolate or comic books on your next trip to the grocery store will suffice.
2) Have an (indoor) picnic lunch
With social distancing in full effect, now isn’t the time to hang around in the park. The good news is, you can still enjoy a picnic lunch in the comfort of your own home! Start by whipping up a few classics, like potato salad and cheese sandwiches. Ants on a log—which consists of celery, peanut butter, and raisins—is another kid-approved favourite.
Put your food in a basket, and find a place to spread out your blanket. It could be in your backyard if you’re lucky enough to have one, or on your living room floor. Either way, your kids will enjoy changing things up!
3) Take a virtual field trip
Chances are, your kids are spending a lot less time exploring the outdoors than they were before the pandemic started. Fortunately, they can see some of the country’s most impressive natural wonders with a virtual tour. At the click of a mouse, your family can explore a majestic national park or historic site. To get started, make your way over to the Parks Canada website.
Closer to home, you can take your little ones on a virtual field trip to the Toronto Zoo or Ripley’s Aquarium. Simply pull up a livestream to see how their favourite animals are doing!
4) Get moving
While it’s okay to go for a walk (so long as you follow social distancing rules), many families are getting restless without more space to get active. Even if you have a yard of your own, there are only so many times you can throw a baseball back and forth. That’s why families are gravitating towards GoNoodle, an app that helps kids dance, meditate, and move around!
It’s true that your living room will never be High Park, but GoNoodle will make indoor activity a whole lot of fun. The best part? Its videos are approved by child development experts, so you can rest assured that they’re high quality.
5) Do some baking
There’s nothing quite like having something baking in the oven. While it may be tempting to make batch after batch of your favourite chocolate chip cookies, it’s important to maintain good eating habits while you’re in quarantine. Of course, that doesn’t mean you and your kids can’t channel your inner bakers!
This is the perfect time to explore healthier recipes online. Look for baked goods made with less sugar and unsaturated fats. Don’t forget how incredible a hearty loaf of bread can smell in the oven!
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