Keeping the Kids Busy: A Guide to Activities Your Children Will Enjoy
Throughout the day, kids need constant stimulus, or something to channel their energy into. This can be difficult, as a parent, say if you're working from home. Luckily, we've compiled a list of things you can do with your kid(s) that will keep them entertained.
DIY crafts are a great way to foster creativity. One artsy craft you can try is making jellyfish out of paper bowls. You can start by helping your little one paint the outside of a bowl. Once they're done, turn the bowl upside down and punch a few holes near the center. Feed some colorful yarn (tentacles) through the holes and tie a knot so they stay put. Voila! You now have a jellyfish!
Ice painting is another super fun activity. To prepare, you'll need to freeze enough ice cubes to fit in a bucket or small bin. Once your ice is ready and in the bin, give your kids some tempera paint and a brush and let them go crazy on the ice cubes!
A super common game kids like to play is I Spy. Instead of spying for things around your home, try making an I Spy jar. You'll want to fill a jar about a third of the way with clear beads. Then, have your kids gather a bunch of small colorful objects (little trinkets, rocks, legos, clips, etc.) and throw those in the jar. Make sure you leave a little bit of free space, put the lid on, and shake. Now you can play I Spy, but using the items in the jar!
If your child is away from school, or not old enough for it, you can still keep them learning. This can be as simple as you reading a children's book to them. If you want to take it a step further, you can try writing a story together. This will get their creative juices flowing, and is a great way for you to introduce basic grammar rules.
Science projects are a great way for your kids to learn about how our world works. For example, you can make Oobleck (a slimy substance) to teach the different states of matter. You'll need to mix two parts cornstarch with one part water, and some food coloring to make things more fun. Once mixed, your Oobleck should have a gooey consistency. If you grab some in your hand, it should start to drip, like a liquid. But if you jab it really hard, it should harden, feeling like a solid.
If you're looking for an activity that requires minimal supervision, try getting a puzzle! Puzzles are great because you can do them together with your child, or let them try to solve it on their own. Not only do puzzles help teach problem solving, but they also help your child recognize patterns.
If you want to just let loose and have fun, there are plenty of silly activities you can do with your kids. Grab some hairbrushes and have a karaoke session with them. Bonus points if you sing songs from their favorite movie! Or, you can gather some blankets and drape them over different pieces of furniture to build a fort. This is super fun, especially for adventurous kids with a big imagination.
