Are you running out of ideas on what to do with your children during isolation? Worry no more! There are hundreds of games and activities that you can do with your children to help educate them and keep them occupied. A lot of these games and activities are both informational as well as fun and entertaining. Here’s a list of my top things to do with your children during lockdown.
1. Time Capsule
The lockdown period really is history in the making. Nothing like this has ever happened before or affected us the way it has done. Our future generations will look back and ask what happened and what life was like during the pandemic, so why not get the family together and document it? You could create a time capsule out of an old shoe box or tin and add photographs of your children and a diary of what you have been doing during the lockdown. This is great for encouraging creativity and thought thinking in your children and also gives them something to look back on in years to come.
2. Play in the Garden
There’s nothing better than fresh air (even if it is just in your garden). Gardens are great for keeping your little one occupied for a few hours whether that’s by riding a bike, hiding in a playhouse, making sandcastles in a sandpit, or jumping on a trampoline. It is such a great way for your children to burn off some energy!
3. Board Games
I love board games the most. If your child is old enough, Chess and Ludo are good pastime games that improve thinking, problem-solving, and concentration skills. Scrabble and other word building games are also very educational and help your children improve their thinking skills! Monopoly is also one of the top games to play but be warned a good game of Monopoly can take a very long time! By playing competitive board games it also teaches your children that it is okay to lose. For the younger ones, puzzles and card games like snap, snakes, and ladders, and other games such as The Floor is Lava, Greedy Granny, and Toilet Trouble are great fun for all the family!
4. Learn To Build
Build things with your child. Ask them to collect all the cushions and pillows in the house and build a magic castle or den. Be as imaginative as possible! If you have Lego or blocks, this is the perfect opportunity to build the tallest tower!
5. Play-doh
If you have play-doh at home then tell your child to make their favourite fruit, vegetable, car, or anything for that matter! If you don’t have play-doh why don’t you try and make some? There are plenty of recipes online that only use ingredients that are found in your kitchen cupboards like baking soda, flour, and food colouring!
6. Look For Hidden Treasure
Play scavenger hunt in the garage or a treasure hunt in the house. Hide things at various places and throw different clues here and there. You could be inventive and create a map of your house and pinpoint where different items are hidden. Not only is this fun, but it also improves your child’s navigation skills!
7. Baking
If your child is old enough, let them experiment in the kitchen! You can teach them to cook delicious dinners or bake some yummy cupcakes! Your child will love the whole process of mixing, pouring, and decorating and will also enjoy the end product. What a way to teach them useful life skills as well!
8. Plant a Flower or Two
Gardening is a refreshing habit that is not adopted by many people as they are too busy with the latest gadget or technology. Take advantage of this time in isolation, and take your children outside and teach them to plant seeds and flowers. You could even ask them to write a diary and document the growth of the flowers. By asking your children to water the plants every day this also gives them a sense of responsibility.
9. Decorate the House with Origami
Origami is a creative and fun activity for kids. Everyone has paper and colouring pens in the house, so why don’t you have a look on the internet and teach your children how to make animals and flowers out of paper. Your children will enjoy folding and unfolding paper in unusual ways.
10. Make Cards for Loved Ones
Asking your children to make cards for your loved ones is a great way for your children to express their thoughts and emotions and also be creative. For older children, it helps them begin to understand the situation and give them some perspective. And who doesn’t like giving and receiving handmade cards?
11. Writing
Ask your child to make a list of things they would like to do and see once lockdown is over. Not only is this a great educational activity, but it also gives your little one incentive and something to look forward to.
12. Colouring
Colouring is so therapeutic for both children and adults. There are loads of free colouring templates online for your children to enjoy. Why don’t you colour in a rainbow and place it in your window to celebrate the efforts of the NHS during this time?
13. Educational Computer Games
We all know that children spend a lot of time playing computer games and game consoles but there are a lot of free educational games such as trivia games, math games, and spelling games that can keep your children occupied for a few hours. For younger children, there are a lot of websites that have simple puzzles and colour games!
14. Chalk
If you have chalk at home this can be great for your little one to decorate the garden path or patio. Ask them to draw their family, favourite animal, or favourite food. You could even draw hopscotch games or noughts and crosses to keep your children occupied for longer! What’s even better is a splash of water can make the canvas clean again!
15. Paint Activities
Your children can have endless fun painting. Whether they’re painting a picture with a brush or using their hands to stamp, the possibilities are endless.
16. Read
Children absolutely love reading! Why don’t you take this time to read a book or two with your little one? If your child doesn’t want to read then why don’t you download a free audiobook for them to listen to?
17. Shop
Pretend play is so much fun for children! If you don’t have any pretend playsets then why don’t you set up a little shop using real money and food you have in the cupboard? For older children, you could even give each food prices so you can shop and your child can total up the cost of your shopping and give you the correct change!
18. Slime
What child doesn’t like running their fingers through slime!? If you don’t have any slime, there are plenty of websites which talk you through how to make some in the comfort of your own home.
19. Cardboard Boxes
Let your children be creative with good old cardboard boxes. You could help them make a small playhouse or a car. There are so many possibilities!
20. Online Classes
There are so many free online classes and videos you can do with your children, whether it’s learning ballet, doing exercise together, or even learning sign language. There really is something for everyone!
Now you have a list of things to keep your children busy during lockdown. Do you have any activity suggestions that are not listed above? Place them in the comments below!
Disclosure: This blog is in no way sponsored or affiliated with any brand or product. All views are my own and based on personal experience.