What in the world are we going to do? How will we keep sane? Those are just a couple questions parents everywhere are asking as we all practice social distancing and locking ourselves inside our home for the next few weeks. I’m here to tell you it will all be okay. Embrace this time to slow down with your kids. There are so many great ways to keep busy, have fun and make memories and they don’t require lots of money or elaborate set ups. Here is my list of fun At Home Activities for Kids. Lets remind ourselves of finding the joy and imagination in what we already have. Kids are simple, lets keep it that way. Here is what we plan to do.
Get Outside
When it is nice, we will get outside. Riding bikes, playing in the backyard, sand table fun, walks, picnics and scavenger hunts. In Colorado our nice days come and go in March, so when it is warm we will take full advantage and get outside in the backyard or around the neighborhood and soak up that Vitamin D.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Imaginative Play
The girls are fantastic at this. Letting them get creative in their rooms and around the house. Playing Barbies, taking pictures with their cameras, building forts, listening to music and playing games on their Kids Echo Dot and having dance parties. I ordered a giant cardboard rocket ship for their rooms that they will have a “blast” coloring and playing in…there will be a lot of playing happening around here.
Kids Echo Dot |VTech Kids Camera | Giant Rocket Ship |Giant Ice Cream Truck | Magna-tiles
Read Books
Read, read, read. This is the perfect opportunity to read as much as you can to your kids. Let them pick as many books as they want. Point to pictures and ask lots of questions. Here are a few of our favorite books that spark lots of giggles and questions and are fun for PARENTS!
The Day the Crayons Quit | Ask A Scientist | Madeline | Little Blue Truck | Press Here |Even Superheros Have to Sleep |The Day the Crayons Came Home | Too Purpley! | Here We Are |If I Had a Little Dream
Write and Mail Love Notes
Write letters or draw pictures and send them to loved ones. If we cant visit our favorite people, why not send them some love through the mail. We will be making all kinds of happy mail to send to family and friends. Isn’t that a fun way to surprise someone you are missing?
Unicorn Stationary Set | “Fur You” Animal Stationary | Twist-able Crayons and Colored Pencils
Craft Time for the Win
Raid the Craft Bin. I grabbed all the craft supplies so the girls can have some creative fun making monsters, or 3D Art, or whatever fun things we can come up. Remember all that Toilet Paper you stocked up on? Save the empty rolls and get crafty, even if its just painting or drawing on them, they can make telescopes for treasure hunts.
Set of Felt Squares | Set of Pipe Cleaners |Googly Eyes | Craft Container | Construction Paper
Cook and Bake Together
Let them cook with you! This is my favorite thing to do with the kids and they love it too! You can practice math skills while measuring ingredients. Here are two of the girl’s favorite recipes to make together. The best part is they are freezer friendly! So double the recipe and stock that freezer!
Project Whim PBCC Cookies
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup peanut butted
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 small bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
Mix all the ingredients together. Place dough in the fridge to harden a bit (to make easier to roll into balls). Roll into 2 inch balls and place on a small cutting board or paper plate to flash freeze. Once frozen place in a ziplock bag. To cook, preheat over to 350 and cook straight from freezer for 18-20 minutes.
Breakfast Sausage Balls
- 1 roll of Jimmy Dean Maple Sausage
- 2 cups of shredded cheese
- 1.5 cups of bisquick
- dash of milk
Mix all ingredients together. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on small cutting board or paper plate and put in the freezer. Once frozen transfer to a ziplock bag. To cook, preheat oven to 350 and place on cookie sheet straight from freezer and cook for 30 minutes.
Family Game Time
Play games and do puzzles. Lots of fun conversations can be sparked while playing games or putting together a puzzle with your kids. Here are a few of our favorites.
Eeboo Puzzles | Uno Game | Poker Card Holders | Jenga | Twister | Glow in the Dark Space Puzzle
Plant Seeds and Watch the Grow
Start an indoor garden by planting seeds. This can be a great way to teach younger kids about the earth and taking care of the planet. Plant seeds together and have fun checking them each day and watering them. You can find little kits that include everything you need. Kids love watching things grow.
Garden Republic Seed Growing Kit |Kids Miracle Grow Garden Kit
and Last but not Least
And if all else fails, make some popcorn, cuddle up and watch Frozen 2 on repeat.
If you love these ideas of At Home Activities for Kids and want to see more, check out some of our favorite Cardboard Craft Ideas.
Make sure to follow me on Instagram HERE. If you have other great At Home Activity ideas for keeping busy and having fun with your kids at home, share them in the comments below!