We understand how much you love your kids. However, we also understand how difficult it can be to keep your kids occupied for long periods indoors, particularly if you’re working from home. Happy children equal happy parents. So, with this in mind, we’ve put together a quick list of activities your kids will love!
1 – Prepare a scavenger hunt
Take a little time to hide some treats for your kids to find around your home. Think up some creative clues to help them to uncover these little treasures. Your kids will have the best time searching and finding these hidden delights! It’ll also help them to get their little minds working!
2 – Host your own Olympics
The real Olympics have been postponed, but your family can hold their own. It can be just as much fun coming up with the events together as it is competing against each other! Be sure to create your own medals or rewards, and every Olympics must have an opening and closing ceremony.
3 – Get out the jigsaw puzzles
Remember how much fun it was to complete a jigsaw puzzle when you were little? In these days of computers and games consoles, the good old jigsaw has taken a back seat. So, to change things up, get out a pile of puzzles that you and your kids can enjoy completing together!
4 – Explore our Solar System!
Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t explore space! Get lost in the wonder of our solar system by taking a virtual tour together.
5 – Put on a concert for grandparents or loved ones
While everyone is homebound, the kids will miss connecting with grandparents and loved ones (and you will too). Be sure to schedule regular catch-ups, which can be done online via video. Have the kids put on a concert or a show with loved ones as the audience.
6 – Paint
When was the last time you all sat down as a family to enjoy painting pictures? Kids love getting creative, so why not join them? It’s a great activity that can keep children occupied for hours.
7 – Dance
Put on the radio or your favourite playlist and dance! Dancing releases those feel-good endorphins as well as being an incredible stress-reliever. You could also go online for dance and choreography tutorials. Or even better, the kids could teach you the latest moves!
8 – Listen to a podcast
There are heaps of podcasts that cover a wide range of topics for kids. This is a great opportunity to sit down with your kids and understand their interests more. Not only will they enjoy the podcast, they’ll love the conversations with you about it. The older kids may especially enjoy listening to podcasts like “Horrible Histories”.
9 – Exercise
Just because they’re cooped up indoors doesn’t mean that your children can’t exercise. Make sure your family gets in a daily dose of star jumps, running on the spot or any activity that gets the blood pumping! There’s a lot of online classes available now, so why not have the family workout together?
10 – Have a movie day
You know that movie you’ve all been wanting to watch for ages but have been too busy to find the time? You can enjoy viewing it as a family right now! While we don’t recommend using a screen as a babysitter, it can be a lot of fun enjoying a movie together (especially with fresh popcorn!)
11 – Play some board games
Everyone has a board game in their cupboard, and if you don’t, there are plenty of games you can do together. Why not hold a family games night? Dust off the board games and create a list of games to enjoy together!
12 – Go to the zoo
Not literally of course! Zoos around Australia are providing live streams of animals. It’s also a great time to read up on conservation efforts, endangered species, and our impact on wildlife.
13 – Play with LEGO
A child’s imagination is the only limit when it comes to building with LEGO. Playing with LEGO is also great for developing problem-solving techniques and honing fine motor skills.
14 – Go to a virtual museum!
Did you know that amazing museums and art galleries around the world are providing virtual tours for people at home? We especially recommend touring the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian!
15 – Read a book
Reading with your children is a wonderful way to bring you together. It’s a good idea to make time for this every evening just before bed so that your youngsters stay in a routine even though you’re stuck indoors. You’ll also inspire your children to become lifelong readers themselves. We also know how addictive the Harry Potter series is – so if they haven’t picked up the Philosopher’s Stone, now may be a great time to experience the magic.
16 – Bake cakes
Kids love to bake cakes, so get your ingredients together and get creative! If you have older children at home, you could give them a cooking lesson and pass down a family recipe. Who knows? They could be the next MasterChef!
17 – Create a collage
Help your kids to attach their favourite family photos to cardboard and proudly display them on the wall. This is an activity that can help them feel connected with family members they haven’t seen in a while.
18 – Teach them a skill
This activity has two benefits – you get to pass on a new learning to them, and you’ll also enjoy some quiet time as they practice. Think about the activities you used to do but may not have time for – like knitting, or card games, or origami, or juggling, or playing an instrument. Share your skill with your children and rekindle a shared sense of fun and satisfaction.
19 – Learn something that your child loves
Now is the perfect time to learn more about what your child loves. Whether it’s drawing, or comics, or minecraft, or sports – immerse yourself in their world and let them teach you what they love to do. Together you’ll have a wonderful time and create beautiful memories.
So, there you have it – 19 things to do at home with your kids during COVID-19. Hopefully that will help keep the boredom at bay and bring you closer as a family!
We Need A Nanny is here for you
From all of us at We Need a Nanny, please stay safe, be kind to each other, practice good hygiene, and if you need further assistance please let us know by emailing [email protected].
The WNAN Family
