Every parent is right now, in some way, is dealing with keeping their kids busy during lockdown. Coronavirus has done a lot of damage this year, but the one thing that it has taught most people is that it can be a challenge to creatively teach your children and spend time imparting your wisdom on others, especially with all of the stress going on in the world right now and you may not feel creative. It’s up to you to ensure that you are keeping their education as current and as balanced as possible, despite how you may feel.
Note: This is a contributed post. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate relationships include, but are not limited to, Amazon Associates, Walmart.com, and Etsy.
There is no real requirement for you to teach your children right now in some parts of the world. This is an unprecedented situation and if you are not a teacher or homeschool parent, don’t feel like you have to. Right now, your children can learn so much from you and your presence.
The single most important thing is that your children feel loved and not like they are a burden to have around, even if they are only with you some of the time. Some lockdown laws make it difficult for child contact arrangements to be made. If that is your situation, this article at http://petersmay.com/christmas/ may be of some help.
In some places, you can’t go out to explore other than a walk per day, but you can have fun and get crafty with them. You can work on teaching them how to cook and how to be emotionally secure. There are a great deal of things that you can teach your kids without following a curriculum.
The biggest challenge that parents are facing right now is in how bored their children feel. Without the chance to see friends and relax in their company, play hard and fast, children deal with boredom. There’s only so many times you can get out the play dough – let’s be realistic! Instead, you need to think about the fact that Coronavirus has forced us all to change the way that we do things. It’s changed the way that we react to our children and their regular behavior. The good news is that you don’t have to get caught up in a tick-list of certain topics. Yes, there will be “Pinterest Parents” out there with a million activities and a Tuff Tray to boot, but you don’t have to be that parent. By all means, buy craft supplies online and have fun with it, but there is no “must”. There is no yardstick on which to measure yourself. There is you, there are your kids and there are ways to keep you all busy and sane over these next few weeks.
So, with that in mind, here is a list of activities that you could choose to do to make life in lockdown a little more interesting!
Chalk Drawings
If you are lucky enough to have a driveway or patio space, why not break out the chunky chalks? The best thing about chalk is that the rain takes care of the mess. You can get the kids to be as creative as they like and eventually, the rain will clear the canvas and they can start all over again!
Growing Veggies
With the time of the year, you should be able to grow some veggies in a small vegetable patch outside. The fun doesn't have to end if you’re living in an apartment, either, as you can grow cress from the window sill!
Den Making
It's easy to build a fort, but if you haven't ever done it with the kids it’s time to bring in every pillow and blanket you can find and build the biggest indoor den you can manage!
Go To The Zoo
You cannot actually go to the zoo, but did you know that many zoos around the world are putting on live feeds so that people can watch? You can grab a bowl of popcorn and “go to the zoo” right from the living room. Live-feed the zoo to your TV screen and you’ll have no trouble seeing it on the big screen!
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Get Zoom set up at home and have a playdate with cousins and friends. There’s no need for them to lose their social connections if they don't have to !
Workout Time
PE is a big topic in school and with the parks closed, there is much less of a chance to enjoy exercise outside. Instead, why not get the kids involved in working out with Cosmic Yoga or Jo Wicks PE sessions? They’re available on YouTube and you can be as energetic as you like!
Screen Time Is Down Time
You may have strict rules about screen time, but you can relax those a little in lockdown, I’m sure! Download some educational apps for the kids and let them have a turn with solving the problems. It’ll teach them something new and give you a few minutes to clear up the crumbs that they left behind from the earlier baking activities that you did.
It’s All About The Money
Buy a multipack bag of chocolates or crisps and set up a home tuck shop. Get out some fake money or real if you have it, and teach them how to buy their own sweets. They'll learn how to use money and they’ll learn math at the same time.
Go On A Bear Hunt
You are allowed to have one walk per day, and that means that you can walk through your neighborhood. So, go on a bear hunt. People have been placing bears into their windows for children to see while they are out on a walk, and you can join in with the fun.
Art Attack
Those craft supplies that you bought online will be better used to help your children to make their own art. Whether you go and collect leaves and twigs in nature or you strictly choose to use the crafts you’ve bought, get the kids messy and sticky and just have fun with it. Get on some aprons if you need to, or just find some old t shirts to wear!
Scrapbook Your Time
Lockdown doesn't have to be boring and you may not want to remember much about this time in life, but you need to make a record and let the kids have the memories of spending all of their time with you. It’ll make such a difference to them.
This is a contributed post.
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