Parents in lockdown, we feel you. This lockdown situation isn’t easy for anyone. But if you have kids, it can be a little bit more tricky.
Whether you share the house with babies, toddlers, or teenagers, most kids have an attention span of a maximum of 15 minutes. This means parents need some creative ideas to keep them occupied so you can do some work from home.
Create a schedule
This mainly applies to kids older than 4 years old. A daily routine and rhythm is the key. This doesn’t mean you need to play the strict parent, but getting up at a decent time of day and follow a reasonable routine can be quite good for kids. If your kids have an online school, you can try to do so at the same time each day. Discuss the schedule with your kid(s), so they understand. Needless to say that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all way to schedule every kid. “Some children find security in following a school-like timetable, others thrive on a more child-led, free-flowing approach, but all children need some predictability in their lives.”
Bake something
It doesn’t really matter what. Kids love to bake! That being said, as long as they can lick the sugary spoon, watch their creation bake in the oven, and eat it afterward. But there is a bonus to this; your kid will love the interaction with you, plus you are teaching them something without them realizing it. In all honestly, you do not need to be a baking-type person, but this lockdown can certainly open the gate for some new skills!
Digital Storytime
If you need to join a conference call with your quarantine colleagues or need some you-time, this is a great temporary solution. Children love stories, especially when images are involved. You can have your kid pick a visual story from YouTube or even get an audio version on Spotify.
Obstacle course around the house
Use cushions, blankets, and other obstacles you can find and create a course in and around the house. Tell them the floor is lava (what else), and let them play! This game will spark their imagination. Even the little ones can join in!
Go on a Bear Hunt
Get your kid a teddy bear and play hide and seek with it. There are plenty of places to hide the teddy bear. You can even get kids to clean up while trying to find the bear.
Clean toys
I’m not sure about you, but my kid loves to clean his toys. Whether it’s his bicycle (which he calls his motor), animal toys, or something else that can stand water. If you have a garden or balcony, it’s the perfect thing for kids to keep them busy for a while. Grab a bucket or low basket, fill it with lukewarm water and a few drops of detergent. Don’t forget about a towel for drying, of course.
Create crafts for the people they miss
With no cuddles from grandparents or friends, you can imagine that it’s not a nice feeling after a few weeks. To keep the connection, you can ask them to create a card, drawing, r craft for their loved ones and bring it to the mailbox. Tip: ask your family members or friends to video call you when they receive it. Your kid will most likely be proud of the work they’ve put in.
Travel the world, virtually
With Google Earth for Chrome, you can fly anywhere in seconds and explore hundreds of 3D cities from your browser. Let your child be adventurous and discover something new, they can take a tour with Voyager and create their own maps and stories.
All in all, we hope the above shown examples can make it a little easier to get though the days of lockdown.