So, the schools have closed which, for the kids, means a massive summer holiday. For you, it means childcare issues and bored kids 24/7 without the break you normally get whilst they’re in school. So the question is...what do you do to keep them out of mischief?
Unfortunately, this is a question that too many parents will be asking in light of the indefinite schools' closure beginning tomorrow. So here I’ve put together my top five options for keeping your kids entertained over the isolation period.
‘The Floor is Lava’
The classic childhood game, and an easy way to keep your little ones entertained for possibly multiple hours, as you make their daily living into an intense battle of wits and skill. As much as they will be no James Bond, it can provide great amusement for you and your little ones as you attempt to clamber over what may previously have been mere furniture. This game not only comes with a bucket-load of fun but with the added benefit that it will likely tire your little terrors out to a point they will sleep well that night, meaning you might get a full nights sleep yourself for once!
If you have a really little one, why not get them involved, as much as they may struggle with climbing or even walking! Take them with you as you traverse your house, make them feel as involved as possible and they will be sure to enjoy watching their family laugh and play with each other.
Junk Crafts
So, you’ve bought all the toilet paper you can, stocked your cupboards full of cereals and pasta and cans of beans and whatever else you can buy, but the question is, what do you do with the waste? It’s simple, let your children make stuff with it!
It can be anything! Your child wants to be a pilot? Make a plane out of some cardboard and a toilet paper tube. You want a nice photo frame for some baby photos? Get your little one to make a frame with some pasta and some cardstock. There are loads of options and it’s an easy way to stay environmentally friendly while you’re stuck indoors. Plus, it will give you some great momentos for later in life.
Storytelling
How do I keep them learning while also keeping them entertained? Storytelling is an easy way to achieve this. It doesn’t have to be you who tells the stories; why not get them to write some stories and read them to you! This will keep them occupied, quiet, and help with their reading and writing skills.
Of course, don’t let them have all the fun! Get involved yourself, giving their characters silly names or even writing your own stories. If you want to take it to the next level, why not create a story with your child? It doesn’t have to be planned, you could do a sentence each, which can be a great way to get their brain moving but can also provide some very funny moments for you and your child.
Treasure Hunts
Just because the kids are stuck at home doesn’t mean they need to be stuck indoors. Why not set up a treasure hunt around the house and even make use of the garden to get their little brains working in search for some treasure!
It doesn’t need to be complicated, simply get some snacks or some toys or any other reward you think they will like, and hide it somewhere. Then all you have to do is hide some clues around the house pointing them in the direction of either another clue or the prize itself, and it will keep them entertained for ages!
Board Games
Who doesn’t love a board game? They are possibly the quickest way to bring a family together and then make them hate each other once the Christmas charades match is out of the way! They can also be a great learning tool for younger children.
It could be a childhood classic like Trouble or Snakes and Ladders, or why not have a look to see if any of their favorite books have been turned into board games instead? An added benefit of board games is that it keeps them away from TV’s and screens, while also working their brains to a point where you get some peace and quiet afterwards!
Educational Games Sites
Educating your little ones at home can be a difficult thing, so I'm going to cover that separately . This, however, doesn't mean they can't still be learning. Educational games sites are a great way for your little ones to learn while also having fun, so here are our top 3 options to start you off with:
- https://pbskids.org/games/
- https://www.education.com/games/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies... sites are aimed at kids from as young as one upwards, meaning they have options for any little one who is short of a bit of entertainment.
The 'Rainbow Hunt' Game
The 'Rainbow Hunt' is a great way to keep your little ones engaged whilst inside and out of the house.
The concept is simple; kids will draw, paint, and create rainbows, which they then stick onto the windows of your house that look out into the street. Then, kids that are out on walks can play a fun scavenger hunt to find the rainbows from different peoples houses and count how many they see. This game is a great way to let your kids be creative while also interacting with their neighborhood friends, even though they can’t go out to play with them directly.
What would your best ideas be to keep your little ones entertained? Share your ideas here.
