If you’re running out of ideas to keep the little ones occupied, this post should be a big help! With everything going on in our world, the most important thing to do is to keep our children safe. However, it is of equal importance to nurture our children’s spirits by giving them plentiful activities to keep them happy and stimulated.
Unfortunately, with the current state of the world, the mental well-being of our kids has been slightly neglected. With all of the focus on social distancing and providing a safe environment, many parents have forgotten to put emphasis on their children’s happiness.
However, it’s of equal importance to foster an environment where children are happy and have activities to do in addition to keeping them safe. Doing so will improve the quality of life we are living in a world that is struggling with COVID-19. In this post we will discuss creative ways to stay both safe and happy that you and your kids will love and you’ll be grateful to learn! Here are 5 Things You Can Do To Keep Children Happy And Active Right Now.
Fall and Winter Festivities
Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, there are so many festive things you can do to have fun going into fall and winter. For one, you can go apple picking or pumpkin picking at a local farm. When you get home, have fun carving out pumpkins or making an apple pie.
In addition, you can take time to decorate your home to reflect this lovely time of year. If your home has a lot of clutter, NJ’s N. Vitale Disposal Inc. recommends clearing it away before you decorate. Then enjoy making your home a sanctuary for this special time of year!
Read Together
Reading together is a family activity kids can do with parents when they are not in preschool or another daytime educational program. In addition, it makes for a great activity to do while cozied up by the fireplace and wrapped up in warm blankets.
Reading is a great way to stimulate your little one’s mind when he or she is not in school. In addition, it’s a fun thing to do with the family that your little one will enjoy.
Some tips for reading together:
- Allow your child to pick out a book to read
- Many libraries are offering curbside pickup- inquire with your local library to find out what they offer!
- Sit in a comfy armchair for story time or snuggle up with your little one in bed for bedtime reading
- Take turns reading and have your child flip the pages
Have Designated Movie And Television Times
Most mothers know that kids can get stuck in front of the television for endless hours. With COVID-19 and winter around the corner, you want to be sure that you’re limiting tv time. This will help your kids enjoy and value the time they get to spend in front of the television rather than getting stuck.
Have designated movie nights once or twice a week. Allow your child to choose a move and watch it together as a family on a Friday night or rainy Saturday afternoon. This will add a little more interest to your daily routine and give your kids something special to look forward to.
Making Cooking A Family Activity
Cooking can be a boring chore but when the family gets involved it can be a little more exciting. Allow your kids to help you out. Pull over a step stool and let them mix brownie batter or put toppings on a homemade pizza.
You can even have your kids make up fun, hand-written menus to take your order. Adding this element to your normal dinner routine will have your kids excited to help you out!
Play Games And Get Chores Done
NJ’s Laundry Angels advises that many chores such as laundry and cleaning can be done with enthusiasm to make them more interesting. In addition, you can play exciting games to get chores done when you need them completed.
Try pulling popsicle sticks with room names and chores. Set a timer and have kids go at it! The person who finishes last can get a silly negative consequence such as standing in the yard and dumping a bucket of cool water over their head!
Doing stuff like this will make chores more fun. In addition, it will ensure chores get done when they’re scheduled!
Talk To Your Kids
Talking to your kids in an open way about the things that are going on in the world is a great way to open up communication and ease some of their stresses and worries. Keep in mind to keep conversations completely age-appropriate.
You can set times to talk and make it part of your normal routine. Ask your children questions and listen patiently to their answers. This will help your kids feel and inspire them to come to you with questions in the future.
Conclusion
The time we are living in requires special attention to safety and the well-being of our little ones. With winter around the corner and a potential for flu season and needed times indoors, it’s important to have activities lined up properly. In following these suggestions for things to do, you will be helping your kids feel safe and engaged.
Creative activities are essential to keep your kids happy and thriving. We hope you have learned a few tips for things to do and wish you all the best.
