How to Keep Kids Engaged While You’re Socially Distancing
Try these next-level activities to help your children stay creative and active during this time
No sports, playgrounds or playdates? With everyone at home during social distancing, options for spending free time suddenly seem quite a bit slimmer. If you’re looking for engaging activities for your kids to do (beyond screens) without straying far from home, this is a good place to start.
Keep Two Activity Lists
On one list, note activities that might be fun to do with your kids. On the other, list activities that are easy and absorbing enough for your kids to do on their own. Why two lists? Because while engaging with your kids can be fun, everyone needs a break sometimes — and when you do, having a short list of easy, engaging options (coloring, audiobooks, play dough) at your fingertips can be a relief.
On one list, note activities that might be fun to do with your kids. On the other, list activities that are easy and absorbing enough for your kids to do on their own. Why two lists? Because while engaging with your kids can be fun, everyone needs a break sometimes — and when you do, having a short list of easy, engaging options (coloring, audiobooks, play dough) at your fingertips can be a relief.
Encourage a Pet Project
Instead of simply consuming cat memes and videos, why not encourage your kids to take their own snapshots and video clips of their pet to share with family and friends? This can be a fun, creative and surprisingly absorbing ongoing activity for kids old enough to work a phone camera without help.
See more of this furry friend and get pet photo tips too
Instead of simply consuming cat memes and videos, why not encourage your kids to take their own snapshots and video clips of their pet to share with family and friends? This can be a fun, creative and surprisingly absorbing ongoing activity for kids old enough to work a phone camera without help.
See more of this furry friend and get pet photo tips too
Keep a Pandemic Journal
This is an assignment for many kids (my own included) engaged in distant learning right now, and it’s a good one. Even the littlest ones can keep a sketchbook diary of their days, and older kids may enjoy adding illustrations or photography to their own notebook. This is a historic time, after all, and the pages your family creates now will certainly be fascinating to flip through in the future.
This is an assignment for many kids (my own included) engaged in distant learning right now, and it’s a good one. Even the littlest ones can keep a sketchbook diary of their days, and older kids may enjoy adding illustrations or photography to their own notebook. This is a historic time, after all, and the pages your family creates now will certainly be fascinating to flip through in the future.
Create Sidewalk (or Window) Art
Why not make some public art to cheer up neighbors and passersby? Put rainbows or prop up teddy bears in your windows, create chalk art on the sidewalk or driveway, or draw a poster and hang it on the fence. And after your child has created art for your own home, take a walk (if you’re able) around the neighborhood to see what other families have created.
Why not make some public art to cheer up neighbors and passersby? Put rainbows or prop up teddy bears in your windows, create chalk art on the sidewalk or driveway, or draw a poster and hang it on the fence. And after your child has created art for your own home, take a walk (if you’re able) around the neighborhood to see what other families have created.
Rearrange Regularly
It seems to be a universal truth that kids will find toys they haven’t seen for a while much more engaging. If your kids have been complaining of boredom (and whose haven’t?) try rearranging the toys. If needed, you can up the ante by saying you’re going to give away the toys they no longer use.
It seems to be a universal truth that kids will find toys they haven’t seen for a while much more engaging. If your kids have been complaining of boredom (and whose haven’t?) try rearranging the toys. If needed, you can up the ante by saying you’re going to give away the toys they no longer use.
Prevent Drama
You know your children best, which means you also probably know which toys and games are most likely to send your little one spiraling into a frustration tantrum or get siblings fighting. Instead of waiting for the inevitable drama to emerge, consider quietly removing the offending items to a high shelf or other hidden spot. Of course there will always be conflicts to solve and hurt feelings to mend, but being proactive where you can feels really good.
You know your children best, which means you also probably know which toys and games are most likely to send your little one spiraling into a frustration tantrum or get siblings fighting. Instead of waiting for the inevitable drama to emerge, consider quietly removing the offending items to a high shelf or other hidden spot. Of course there will always be conflicts to solve and hurt feelings to mend, but being proactive where you can feels really good.
Connect With Family History
Telling family stories, researching ancestors online and conducting phone or video interviews with older relatives can be a great way to connect. If you’re trying to find ways of keeping in touch with grandparents while social distancing, consider having kids and grandparents ask each other a question a day. When compiled, the questions and answers are sure to make a new priceless family keepsake.
What to Do With Old Family Photos
Telling family stories, researching ancestors online and conducting phone or video interviews with older relatives can be a great way to connect. If you’re trying to find ways of keeping in touch with grandparents while social distancing, consider having kids and grandparents ask each other a question a day. When compiled, the questions and answers are sure to make a new priceless family keepsake.
What to Do With Old Family Photos
Take Indoor Activities Outside
If you usually read inside, take your book into the garden — or play an audiobook on a Bluetooth speaker. Audible has a large selection for kids available free right now, and J.K. Rowling has made the first Harry Potter book available for free on audio as well. Other toys and games usually played inside can seem more fun when set up on the front porch, back deck or patio. Try it with a board game, marble run or a basket of plastic animals.
Spark Wonder in the Garden With These Family-Friendly Ideas
If you usually read inside, take your book into the garden — or play an audiobook on a Bluetooth speaker. Audible has a large selection for kids available free right now, and J.K. Rowling has made the first Harry Potter book available for free on audio as well. Other toys and games usually played inside can seem more fun when set up on the front porch, back deck or patio. Try it with a board game, marble run or a basket of plastic animals.
Spark Wonder in the Garden With These Family-Friendly Ideas
Upgrade Your Movie Night Experience
With some of the movies that would have been shown in theaters released early for streaming, and new technologies (like Netflix Party) allowing distant friends to have virtual watch parties, movie night at home can really feel like a special event. Take a little time to prep the space (i.e., toss clutter in a basket) and make a few snacks (or raid your candy stash), then settle in and enjoy.
Simple Pleasures: Movie Night for Film Buffs
With some of the movies that would have been shown in theaters released early for streaming, and new technologies (like Netflix Party) allowing distant friends to have virtual watch parties, movie night at home can really feel like a special event. Take a little time to prep the space (i.e., toss clutter in a basket) and make a few snacks (or raid your candy stash), then settle in and enjoy.
Simple Pleasures: Movie Night for Film Buffs
Go on a Family Picnic
If you’re able to get outside away from other people — even if it’s in your own backyard — the change of scenery will do you all good. Take along a picnic lunch, a blanket, a book to read and a simple activity item like a Frisbee to toss, and enjoy the time away from screens.
Share: What’s been working (or not working!) to keep your kids entertained? Tell us in the Comments.
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If you’re able to get outside away from other people — even if it’s in your own backyard — the change of scenery will do you all good. Take along a picnic lunch, a blanket, a book to read and a simple activity item like a Frisbee to toss, and enjoy the time away from screens.
Share: What’s been working (or not working!) to keep your kids entertained? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
9 Ways to Have Fun at Home While Socially Distancing
7 Things to Consider If You Find Yourself Working From Home
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Find a home pro for your next project
Shop for home products
Weekends and downtime look a lot different during social distancing, and what works for another family may not work for yours. So whether you’re considering suggestions in an article (ahem) or from friends on social media, take it all with a serious grain of salt. You know yourself and your family best; proceed accordingly.