Some Fun Activities to Share with the Kids During Restrictions
Well, haven’t times changed for us right now as we continue to navigate the ‘not so sure what the immediate future holds’ with our kids. It’s time to get a little creative … and that’s hard for those of us who are not particularly built that way! But, what I tell all those beautiful families I have the privilege to work alongside is, choose ‘play’ activities that you enjoy and the kids will likely follow suit through your enjoyment. It is also more likely to hold your interest and keep YOU engaged.
So, with that in mind, here’s some ideas:
1. Kids Yoga - Cosmic Kids (YouTube)
2. Decorate an outdoor ‘Winter Tree’ (like a Christmas tree, but make the decos - chains, eggs, rabbits, chickens, stars, snowflakes)
3. Paper Mache - make the paste Link here, use white butcher's paper over an inflated balloon - cover 1/4 or 1/2 to make a super hero or monster mask and paint, or put (secret) item inside each partially inflated balloon (you will need to do the first layer) and paper mache over the balloons x6 - ’smash’ each of the ‘eggs’ a couple of days later outside once ‘set’ to find out what the secret item is inside.
4. Lego Treasure Hunt with pieces of lego (from a small lego kit). Make sure you remember where you’ve hidden each piece as it can be VERY frustrating if you lose a piece. then part of the competition is who can put the lego item together the fastest.
5. Set up a Kids Boot Camp circuit to complete in the back yard, using tunnels, hurdles, ropes, weights, mud and water - this is a good one before a bath/shower!
6. Build a Tower made of Playing Cards …. that old chestnut!
7. Jenga, KNex, Meccano, Twister (make your own), Marbles
8. Indoor bowls, Pom Pom tennis (help Max make the Pom Poms)
9. Egg & spoon race, Sack race, 3-legged race, Elastics, make Paper Planes and fly/ Paper Boats and float
10. Make a Mr. Grasshead – fill an old stocking with sphagnum moss or potting mix.
You Tube ..... these grow quickly and kids love to give them a haircut. Sit the grasshead in the rim of a cup and dangle the ‘tail of the stocking’ into the cup of water to keep them alive.
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Don’t over-schedule - let them anticipate x1 morning activity and x1 afternoon activity.
By the time you …. schedule in bath/shower and teeth cleaning, breakfast, <am. Activity>, morning tea, outdoors, lunch, quiet time (shut the world out for 1hr after lunch each day by closing the blinds, no screens, no overhead lights and encourage books, puzzles or quiet indoor play, as a down-regulation habit), <pm. Activity>, afternoon tea, outdoors, dinner; add realistically 1/2 hr of screen time x1-2/day, and 2 jobs to help mum each day …. it should be time for bed!
Good luck busy mum & dad, grandma & grandpa <3
I hope you enjoy these ideas as much as your children.