7 Fun Activities to Do With Kids and Family During COVID-19
Due to this global coronavirus outbreak, many parents have found themselves hunkered down at home with their children. This is a difficult situation for several families, especially when you’re struggling to keep your kids entertained while also working from home.
Your go-to list of activities has probably been in such heavy rotation that it’s no longer enjoyable for your little ones. Fortunately, we’ve taken the time to craft the ultimate list of exciting stay-at-home ideas to try during self-isolation.
From growing a vegetable garden together to settling in for cozy storytime, all the items listed 7 below are either free or only require a small fee, which is a great added bonus to staying safe and keeping your children entertained.
So here are 7 fun activities to do with kids and family during COVID-19.
- Grow plants together
Age group: Primary school and up
Children will be absolutely delighted to follow the progress of the seeds they planted and see them sprouting into beautiful plants. Even better if you choose to grow a vegetable garden in your backyard since there will be a scrumptious reward for them once the vegetables are ready for harvest.
If you’re not very knowledgeable in botany, you will want to start small and build your way up from there. Choose plants that are easy to grow and nurture, preferably those that don’t come with an impossibly long list of instructions for upkeep. You can order the seeds online for as little as a couple of dollars.
When you move to the planting process, make sure your plant garden is 11 rows wide and that each row is roughly around 10 feet long. In addition to that, you should choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight for optimal results. You can try everything from green beans and tomatoes to crunchy salad leaves, spring onions, and potatoes.
If you live in an apartment or condo and don’t have access to a backyard, you can still grow some indoor plants in containers and pots, namely basil, parsley, rosemary, and even flowers. Growing plants together is a fun activity that allows you to spend some quality time with your little ones all while staying safe during these uncertain times.
- Organize a scavenger hunt
Age group: Primary school and up
Organizing a scavenger hunt is a thrilling activity to bring adventure and excitement into your home during isolation. Although a backyard that can accommodate children running around and looking for treasure is ideal, you can still organize a scavenger hunt that is just as exhilarating indoors.
Start by digging through your kids’ toy boxes and baskets to find your target items. Once you have gathered all the props you can proceed to hide the objects around the house or in the patio. If you’re struggling to come up with a captivating theme, Pinterest is a gold mine for inspiration. Research sample scavenger hunt lists for children then customize the templates to your liking.
- Settle in for a storytime session
Age group: Toddlers
If you’re looking to cut down on how much TV your children are watching all throughout the day, there’s nothing better than settling in for a cozy storytime session. So if your kids don’t have the habit of reading books, now is the time to introduce them to the enthralling power of imagination and storytelling.
Not only does reading help your child develop their literacy skills very early on, but it also stimulates their curiosity, enhances their emotional intelligence, and improves their social skills. Storytime with children offers great rewards for grown-ups as well.
This is an exceptional activity that promotes bonding and building a strong and meaningful relationship with your little ones. So if you’re looking for uplifting, positive, inspiring, and encouraging stories, try these picks:
- Cassie the Courageous and the Sunken Ship by Eliz Black
- Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hische
- Just Like Me by Vanessa Newton
- The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder
- Jack at Bat by Mac Barnett
- Go on a virtual museum tour
Age group: All ages
If your summer travel plans went down the drain due to the coronavirus outbreak, you still have plenty of opportunities to expose your children to new and exciting cultural experiences. In fact, many museums and aquariums (both stateside and abroad) are extending free virtual tours of their facilities.
The Louvre in Paris is giving users an exclusive look at the Egyptian Antiquities exhibit. In addition to that, The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is offering tours of old displays that are no longer public, as well as current ones.
Another great example is the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey Bay, California that live streams a variety of their aquatic panorama on a daily basis.
While virtual tours don’t exactly compare to the in-person experience, they can still be an enjoyable escape from the stresses, anxieties, and worries of the current global situation.
- Cook a meal or bake some treats together
Age group: Preschool and up
Preparing a meal or baking some sweets with your kids is a clever and engaging way to teach them about nutrition and get them to follow instructions. There are many kid-friendly recipes available online that don’t take a lot of time and that you can make with the entire family.
In addition to that, you can also find a variety of food preparation video content on YouTube, especially from family-friendly cooking channels. These resources will provide you with valuable tips and precautions to take to prevent any accidents/injuries while kids assist you in cooking a delicious dinner.
- Have a movie marathon weekend at home
Age group: All ages
The best way to spend a cozy weekend at home during self-isolation is family movie night. So pop some popcorn, make a batch of cookies, dip into your secret snack stash, and get ready for the ultimate weekend movie marathon.
The Secret Life of Pets is a great franchise for little kids, it’s funny, engaging, and will entertain audiences of all ages. If you’re feeling nostalgic and in the mood for a 90s’ animated movie throwback, the original Toy Story is another excellent pick.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more suitable options for pre-teens and above, Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are fantastic movie sagas that everyone in the family can enjoy. Jumanji, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are just as thrilling and wildly imaginative.
If it’s binge-worthy, chances are, your children won’t make it past the first film before they doze off. Though either way, you get the opportunity to kick back, relax, and enjoy quality time with the people who matter to you the most.
- Take a family fitness class at home
Age group: All ages
Since many people are still in self-isolation, going to the gym or joining a group class is definitely not a safe option. Instead, you can create a fitness program that’s suitable for the entire family. Not only is this a fun activity to do together but it’s also a brilliant way to sneak some exercise into your daily routine.
You can find a plethora of at-home workout guides on video platforms like YouTube so you’re bound to stumble upon a quick workout that everyone within your household can enjoy. This Wake-Up and Walk workout series is the perfect way to start the day.
In addition to that, you can also find exercise routines that are specifically targeted to children. This Yoga for Kids program is a great example to teach your children proper ways of relaxation. With this video playlist, they will be able to learn healthier ways of managing their emotions in addition to the large range of benefits that mindfulness practices can provide.
Whether it’s cooking a nice meal or organizing an elaborate scavenger hunt, these activities represent a valuable opportunity for you to reconnect, bond, and spend some quality time together with your family.