Wholesome Excitement for the Whole Family
Hands up if a sudden lockdown left your kids with little to do and a lot of energy to burn!
The new restrictions on camps, schooling and sports activities have dashed the plans of most parents, care providers and kids alike. With schools, camps and team sports closed for the foreseeable future, here are four activities for your children of all ages to stay entertained and busy, while improving their mental, physical or practical skills. These activities are also perfect for a rainy day!
First things first…
There are some caveats – in order to make any activity fun and worthwhile for children, the leader/parent needs to apply:
Enthusiasm – kids aren’t dogs or robots, so if you give off the energy of zero interest, they will respond in kind. Similar to an actor convincing you that their character just had their heart broken, some theatrical enthusiasm where energy is lacking will help your kids get even more interested in their activity.
Participation – just like a boss that doesn’t get his hands dirty, activities are less effective when the leader refuses to participate. It doesn’t mean that you send yourself to the chiropractor because you just had to join in on the cartwheel competition with the 7 year-olds. It just means don’t be afraid to join the finger painting, drawing or other ‘kids’ stuff, especially to begin the activity. Young’uns appreciate that sort of thing.
Four activities that help kids learn and help parents keep the peace are:
1. Floor is Lava
Fantastic game for creativity, activity and competition. Kids can set up their own obstacle course and try to get from one side of the room, house or yard to the other without touching the floor. You can get creative by walking across couches, tables, pillows, blankets and more.
2. Paper airplane building
Kids these days. They have no idea! Paper airplanes are a fun way to learn practical physics and be creative. You can go even further and build catapults, make kite-planes and more. An entire afternoon’s worth of fun and games.
3. Make play dough
Does this even need to be explained? Colours, shapes and squishy stuff. What more can we possibly want in a craft? Enjoy the extra time learning how to make the dough and enjoy knowing that homemade dough is much better for the environment!
4. Balloon ball
Blow up a balloon and start bashing! Volleyball with a balloon. I had a friend in Madrid who played ‘Ballooney Ball’ with her family as a child which sounds like my 8-year old nirvana. Set up a couch or table, turn off the fans and team up!
There are plenty more activities to pass a day indoors, at least one of these ideas may be great for you and yours!