Top 10 things to keep the kids entertained during COVID-19
It’s at times like these - when the world is turning topsy-turvy, and your own life feels surreal - that we need to focus on what we are grateful for. Previous priorities are not quite so important anymore. Basic things like good health and your family’s safety becomes top priority. Decent weather in the midst of social distancing seems like a blessing!
The COVID-19 pandemic has come during the digital age. We are thankful that even though this is happening, the amount of entertainment available at our fingertips is amazing. Thanks to mobile phones, iPads and kindles - we have hours and hours of entertainment to help us escape reality. The people that have found themselves studying/working from home, will begin to understand the full potential that technology can offer them.
There is a great deal of fear at the moment, and the uncertainty about what will happen in the future can be distressing. However, one thing is for sure is that in the following weeks we will be publishing a number of blogs to help offer guidance, support and reassurance. Life can, and will, go on. There will, however, be a new definition of ‘normal’ for the time being.
If you’ve been struggling to keep your children entertained at home, try out some of our suggestions to break up the day 😊
1) Brighten up your window
We have loved seeing the rainbows in people’s windows during our daily exercise. If you’ve not already made one, and aren’t a confident doodler, why not download our free colouring in template and join in the fun? Don’t have colouring in pencils? Download our pre-made template instead.
2) Play some alphabet bingo
A fun game to help your children learn and recognise their letters. All you need to do is think of a letter, let them find it on their board and the person with 5 letters wins! Download a FREE printable board here.
3) Decorate rocks
When you are out on your daily walk, why not collect some rocks or pebbles so that you can take them home and paint? Ladybirds, emojis, or your favourite cartoon character – the list of designs is endless. Once your rocks are dry, you can take them out on your next walk and leave them places for people to find and enjoy 😊
4) Have some masking tape fun!
If you’ve got some simple painting masking tape around your home, Whatmomslove.com have some fantastic ideas on what you can do with it. Hopscoth, car tracks, long jump, and an animal shape game, are just a few of the ideas.
5) Easter bunnies! 🐰
The UK has been buying a lot of toilet paper at the moment, so why not use the inside cardboard rolls to make some cute bunnies for Easter? You can find a template here.
6) Outdoor scavenger hunt
To make your daily exercise a bit more interesting and engaging, look out for things along the way and make it in to a competition. Can you find all 20?
7) Indoor scavenger hunt
If you’re not able to go on a scavenger hunt outside, why not do one inside? Primary Playground have put together some great ideas over on their Facebook page.
8) Bake some chocolate Easter nests
You will need:
200g milk chocolate
85g shredded wheat
200g bags of chocolate eggs
Cake cases
Melt the chocolate slowly over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, add the chocolate to the shredded wheat and stir until it is all covered.
Spoon the mixture in to your cases. Create a nest with the back of a spoon and place 3 mini eggs in the hole. Chill in the fridge until set, and then enjoy 😊
9) Write a letter to a loved one, or someone in need of some sunshine
Many vulnerable and elderly people are isolating at home, with little contact with the outside world. Why not send them a letter and some nice drawings to cheer them up? If you don’t have anyone in your family to do this with, you could send some drawings to your local care home for the residents to enjoy.
10) Make a jar full of fun ideas
Although life is very unsettling at the moment, things will return to some sense of normality in the future. Every time you think of something you miss doing as a family, write it down and put it in a jar. It doesn’t have to be expensive days out, it could be something as small as going to the local library and choosing new books to read. The little things that you took for granted will feel so much more special when you can resume doing them again 😊
