Stay busy while school is closed
With most schools and activities now closed for a minimum of two weeks due to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are well aware that our gloriously energetic kids will have us going batty (no pun intended) by day 2. In an effort to make this uneasy time as manageable as possible, we’ve come up with some fun ways to keep the kids busy and you sane! We’re hoping to take our own advice and: stay as positive and patient as possible. Most things are completely out of our control at this point, so turn up the music (we suggest Bob Marley) and don’t forget to smile!
Theme Days
Follow along as we create a day’s worth of fun and educational activities for various themes! Added so far:
Activity Kits
Make your life easier on the days (or weeks) that you’re not feeling creative by checking out our roundup of the best activity kits!
Arts & Crafts
Check out what’s always in our arts and crafts bin here!
Indoor Activities
Check out the below links for a TON of ways to pass the time while stuck inside.
- indoor obstacle course (a family favorite!)
- Happy Toddler Playtime
- Busy Toddler
- 32 Fun & Creative DIY Indoor Activities
- 87 Energy Busting Indoor Games & Activities
- Play Activities for Kids
- Learning Activities for Kids
- Fun with Mama
Online Resources
The internet is full of both fun AND educational tools to keep your little ones busy!
- check out our Pinterest board for a bunch of printable worksheets!
- get moving with Cosmic Kids Yoga, GoNoodle, or Dance on the DL
- obe fitness has on demand kids movement classes (sign up for a free trial!)
- get drawing with Art for Kids Hub or Mo Willems
- have virtual story time with Storyline Online, Audible, Unite for Literacy
- you can now request free access to BrainPOP Jr.!
- Scholastic has a variety of books, videos, & activities
- lighten the mood & tell some jokes: 200 Jokes for Kids
- two weeks worth of fun & easy science experiments
- pick from a ton of super interesting & fun science podcasts with brains on!
- activate your kids’ imagination with Pinna books, podcasts, & music! Use promo code PINNA4KIDS for 60 days free
- 12 famous museums are offering tours that you can take on your couch
- click here and here for some additional virtual field trips (including zoos & aquariums)
- join the Cincinnati Zoo every weekday at 3pm for a visit with one of their animals
- try out coding on Code.org (they even have a dance party!)
- teaching tools: Teachers Pay Teachers
- “visit” your local library digitally for books, movies, shows, music & more!
- Amazon has a Digital Educational Resources department with lesson plans, classroom activities, games, & templates
- a large roundup of education companies offering free subscriptions can be found here
- take the kids on virtual Disney theme park rides
- National Geographic Kids
- Seussville
- ABCya learning games
- PBS Kids
- Starfall
- Switch Zoo animal games
- Highlights Kids
Apps
- ABC 123
- ABC Mouse
- AlphaTots
- BrainPOP
- Bugs and Numbers
- HOMER
- iWriteWords
- LetterSchool
- Starfall
- TallyTots
- Teach Your Monster to Read
Explore the Outdoors!
Just because we’re supposed to be practicing “social distancing” doesn’t mean we can’t leave the four walls of our TV room. And even in the winter, nothing boosts our mood like some fresh air!
- download our drive around scavenger hunts here and here
- have a scavenger hunt in your backyard (another family favorite!)
- go back to basics: break out the bubbles, chalk, bikes, & scooters
- go WAY back to basics and play a game of four square or wallball
- modify the obstacle course and take it outside!
“Home Schooling” Schedule
This creative schedule created by a Massachusetts mom (& photographer) will hopefully help your family get through the next few weeks! Of course feel free to modify it or simply use it as a loose guide to create some sort of structure.
