Activities to keep the kids busy at home amid the coronavirus pandemic

So you are stuck at the home with the kids and you have done every activity imaginable. You have binge watched every family-friendly show, streamed every superhero movie, done indoor camping and treasure hunts, and put together and take apart the Lego bricks over a million times. You have tried to keep them busy and entertained, made sure they stayed off their screens, but you have still run out of ideas.

What else can you do next? Well, here are some new ideas you and your children will enjoy:

Spend time in the kitchen

We all have to eat, right? So why not make it a group activity. Try new foods or new twists on old favourites. And this is the perfect time to connect with friends and family and create your very own COVID cookbook.

Play games

If you are a big fan of puzzles, escape-room-type games, there are tonnes of options available, and classics like Monopoly. And a good, old-fashioned deck of cards offers nearly unlimited possibilities. Whatever you do, be sure that you rotate between a game one of the children picks, one you pick, and one that’s news to all of you.

Learn something

Since most schools around the country are shut down for the rest of the academic year, your children probably have class meetings, school projects, and homework. But there’s no reason why you can’t add in some additional learning — as long as it’s fun. Whatever the subject, you’ll find plenty of educational resources online.

Talk — and listen

Tell the children things they don’t know about your life, your parents, where and how you grew up. And ask them to tell you things you might not already know about them.

Get outside

Yes, it is getting hotter by the day, but you can still manage to squeeze a mini half hour walk in, especially in the evenings. Get outside and take in the sights.

Go someplace new (online)

Dozens of museums around the world have posted virtual tours of their galleries. And many cities have virtual tours of famous and not-so-famous landmarks. This is a great time to put together a post-lockdown wish list of places to visit.

Story time

Reading out loud is a wonderful, calming, bonding activity that doesn’t have to be limited to bedtime. If you don’t feel like reading, make up a story of your own. One person starts with the first few sentences, then each person adds a few more sentences, going in whatever direction they want. You’ll be amazed at how creative you can be.

Bend the rules

There’s no question that, in general, children (and adults) spend too much time on our phones, computers, and other devices. But in moderation, there’s a place for electronics.