August 27, 2020
Spending more time with your kids at home means adjusting to a new day-to-day. And although we know that parents are often busy bees in every situation, we also think that an extended period of time with the kids is an opportunity to make more memories, to fire up the imagination, to learn new things, and of course – to play! Here are 10 screen-free and hands-on activities for your children to enjoy in the comfort of your home or in a sunny backyard!
Making art is an opportunity for self-expression! By bringing toys to life in a silly sketch, painting what’s right out the window, or sculpting from the imagination, your budding artist can learn to express themselves and communicate in a visual way.
Think of the driveway as another blank canvas, grab some chalk, and get creative! Write a kind message for your family or a passerby, draw whatever you dream up that day, or just play a game of hopscotch.
Got a sandbox in the backyard? Then step into the sunshine and have some sandy fun with cups, buckets, molds, shovels, and whatever you might need to build the tallest tower or the biggest sandcastle (and improve fine motor skills while you’re at it!).
Keep your ears peeled as you take a walk around the block – is that a cat meowing? A bus passing by? Your own steps on the pavement? A listening walk is sure to engage your kiddo’s sense of hearing – not to mention all of the Vitamin D!
Take balls, baskets, hoops, pillows, or chairs, and build an obstacle course for your child! Going on this active adventure will result in a fair bit of physical activity, which in turn is great for your little one’s healthy development.
Mix up cooking and learning by teaching your child an important life skill while you make something yummy! They can pretend to cook alongside you with their own set of cooking tools or lend a hand with the real dinner.
Play hide-and-seek with toys! Hide some of your kid’s smaller toys such as little animals or cars in places that they can easily reach and make sure they have a bucket or basket to collect them in before they start the search. You can always help them out with a game of hot and cold!
Round up your favorite stuffed animals, serve some treats, and pour the tea! Whether you’re sipping on Earl Grey or using a pretend play set, a tea party is a great way for your toddler to improve their social skills and learn about the importance of sharing.
Put on a show and fill the home with music! Create a little stage area, set up some musical toys or a microphone, make sure there’s space for an audience, and get this musical show on the road!
Cabin fever? We don’t think so.
