How do you keep kids occupied while indoors? With school letting out and summer nearly here, most areas are continuing to practice sheltering in place. But, sometimes, it can feel overwhelming just finding new ways to have fun. Thankfully, Shop LC is here to help! David Pollock is a beauty industry veteran, chemist, and the creator of Shop LC exclusive skincare line, Clinical Results 24.7. With considerable wellness experience, David is sharing some great tips for helping kids have fun while staying home.
10 Creative Ways to Entertain Your Kids During a Pandemic
by David Pollock
A pandemic affects everyone, no matter how old you are.
We originally thought that COVID-19 would mostly affect the elderly, but as it turns out, people of all walks of life are affected. Our lifestyles have changed dramatically and kids are not spared.
By their very nature, kids are hyperactive. They need to move, interact, and focus on specific activities. Not being able to go to school, play with other kids, or even just run outside can have a lasting impact in their lives and development.
It is every parent’s responsibility to minimize the negative impact of the lockdown on children. But with all this free time, we have to get a little creative.
Find Fun Group Games to Play
There are thousands of board games that your kids can play to stay distracted during a pandemic.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to stick to the kind of games that they love. You can also take part in some of the games to make things more interesting.
You could pick the game once in a while but involve the kids in the selection of a game and stress to them that selecting a game is their responsibility.
Stimulate Their Minds
Games that challenge the mind will not only keep your kids mentally sharp, but it will also keep them competitive and entertained.
Compliment your children when they complete a level or stage to keep them motivated and feeling proud. Encourage them when they fail to complete a certain level the same way you would encourage them when they are doing their homework.
Try Online Games
You can also try playing online games with your kids or let them play with their friends online. This is a good way for kids to keep interacting with other children their age without physically being around each other.
Don’t forget to keep a close eye on the kind of games they choose to play online.
Have the Kid Help with Chores
Beyond games, household chores are yet another activity you can engage with your kids. Teach them or ask them to give you a hand with the chores and make it interesting.
They can help prepare their favorite meal, help set the table, and help clean the house by dusting the furniture. They can also help with washing or folding the laundry.
Some kids love it when they do something that their parents encourage or ask them to do. Give it a try!
Start a Family Project
Kids love fun projects! It doesn’t have to be a school project – just one that the whole family can participate in.
It could be the kind of project that they can actively contribute to. For example, you can grow pot-based plants, repaint the bedrooms, or build a 3D puzzle or create your genealogical tree. You could even learn a family dance on YouTube or form a band if you have instruments laying around.
Give Them Books to Read, or Read to Them
Books are a great way of keeping your kids’ minds off the pandemic.
You could give every child a different book according to their age and then ask for a 5-minute summary every day before they go to bed. This will not only keep them busy, but it will also feed their mind and curiosity. Make sure there is a reward for each completed book.
Help with Their Schoolwork
While kids are asked to stay at home while schools are closed, they may be given assignments and homework. Helping your kids with their homework is a great way to keep them occupied, engage their brain, and make sure they’re being responsible.
If the school does not give them any work to do while at home, you can come up with your own assignments. Focus on areas that your child is currently struggling with at school so as to help make the work comprehensible.
Pick a Movie You’ve Never Watched
Movies are without a doubt a great source of entertainment for both adults and kids. You could watch one or two movies a day with your kids as a form of entertainment.
Have them come up with their own ideas of entertainment
Coming up with great ideas of entertainment for your kids is a good thing. Nonetheless, if you want them to truly enjoy you can let them come up with their own forms of entertainment. Doing so is also a great way to empower them when you have run out of ideas. All you have to do is approve of the kind of entertainment they choose and participate cheerfully when asked.
Help Cultivate Their Talents
Even during COVID-19, your kids’ can work on getting better at something special. You can take advantage of the situation and find ways of improving or even discovering your child’s talent.
For example, if your child is an aspiring artist encourage the artist in him or her by buying color books, pencils, and crayons. You could also go the extra mile by visiting reputable art galleries online and explaining what each photo symbolizes, where and when the painting was made, and what inspired the artist to produce that particular painting.
During COVID-19, Family Time is Self-Care
Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
Even though we’re all going stir-crazy indoors, we are also protecting ourselves and our loved ones from getting infected with coronavirus.
View this as an opportunity to bond with your children and spend quality time with them you may not have when you’re working.
And while you’re doing that, you’re also teaching your kids the importance of caring for themselves and others.
Stay inside, and stay safe!
This article originally appeared on David’s site, Just Ask David.
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