Fun things to do with kids at home

“When life is good do not take it for granted as it will pass. Be mindful, be compassionate and nurture the circumstances that find you in this good time so it will last longer. When life falls apart always remember that this too will pass. Life will have its unexpected turns.”- Ajahn Brahm

During uncertain times, many are finding themselves with children unexpectedly at home, mandated working from home, and schools closed as well as public places.

None of them planned for.

If this is you, take courage today and make the most of what we do have control over.

While we are spending more time at home these days, let’s determine to see this as sanctuary.

Being home can provide rest, fun, and rekindled family connections- even in the midst.

Here is the ultimate guide to making the most of this day, right now. I hope and pray you find encouragement here.

How do I stop boredom at home for kids?

Building a marble run out of toilet paper tubes, cardboard, PVC pipe or tin foil
Use painters/masking tape to map out a city and let them play with little people, or cars
Homemade bubbles and a bubble wand from a metal hanger
Shaving cream on the table to draw in
Create board games with their own rules and artwork
Rock painting, then walk around the neighborhood and leave them in places for others to find
Homemade playdough, add a package of KoolAid for a wonderful smell
Puppet theaters and handmade puppets
Silly trick photography will entertain for a LONG time
Use this time to teach them about their neighbors and create surprise baskets, cards, drawings etc. to drop on someone’s doorstep

How do I entertain my child at home?

Help, the kid’s school is closed!

Since we homeschooled for 14 years, I have a lot of suggestions. If you have a particular question, let me know and we can brainstorm to try and find a resource for you.

Lapbooks– There are companies you can download already created topics OR just create yourself with books they kids are interested in. These are WONDERFUL solutions to keep kids learning and their hands busy, especially if you just don’t know where to start
Educational TV shows– Liberty’s Kids, Magic School Bus, Schoolhouse Rock
Games that teach math skills- Monopoly, Payday, Farkle, Yahtzee. For more information on kids that struggle with math click here
Free worksheets online- There are TONS of sites, and some even let you create your own crossword puzzles and word searches
Cook with the kids- it is amazing how many concepts kids learn from everyday activities. Baking, for example, helps cement fractions 🙂
Create comic book strips– assign them a story, even specific elements you feel are relevant and let them create it. There are even blank books to fill in the scenes on Amazon
Reading– If the kids have the chance to catch up on reading that isn’t assigned, they’ll enjoy the break. And that is a good thing. We all need a change once in a while
Ask a teacher– Many teachers are volunteering their knowledge to help parents in this scary time. See if you have a local Facebook group and ask around. Ask homeschooling parents, they are a generous bunch!
Require them to entertain themselves partially– Growing up, if I was “bored” my parents quickly curbed that complaint with chores. I did that with my children too. Don’t feel that you need to entertain them every minute. Imagination is a wonderful playmate!
Let them practice generosity– Have them learn (if age appropriate) about all of the front line responders working to keep us safe, and things running. Encourage them to send cards/letters of thanks. Ask them how they think we could appreciate our community members, kids have wonderful ideas!

What you need to know, the one thing…it will be okay! It really will. Setbacks are just that-bumps in the road. After 14 years of what felt like EVERY kind of unexpected circumstance, the kids ended up more than ok. They thrived!

So please, don’t let this school closures steal your peace ♥.

Family time activities to do with kids at home

Send letters to the elderly in forced isolation at retirement homes, many are already lonely to begin with
Catch up on the phone with special people
Play board games and make popcorn
Go on a hike or plant geocaching caches, then have fun listing them for future searchers
Create a time capsule
Share old family photos and tell stories

Solitary time for moms with kids at home

Art journaling
Bible journaling
Purging closets, drawers and cupboards (click here for a The Minimal Mom, I think you’ll enjoy her!)
Catch up on reading
Practice some soothing self-care, Pinterest has tons of free suggestions
Learn something new on a platform such as Skillshare
Listen to music and have a dance party
Enjoy long walks
Create a gratitude list
Study Scripture, God is not surprised by our events, and always, always offers comfort
Limit news intake. It is wise to check daily at this point, but also wise to not make it our only focus
Laugh regularly, Dry Bar Comedy is a fun family-friendly option
Light candles, cuddle with a blanket and delight in the cozy

Movie suggestions via streaming:

Leap Year
42
It’s a Wonderful Life
The King’s Speech
Invincible
Hairspray
RV
Mom’s Night Out
The Help
My Big, Fat Greek Wedding
Last Holiday
Joyful Noise
The Hundred-Foot Journey
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Monumental
Victoria and Albert
Downton Abbey
Ford and Ferrari
A Star is Born

Movies for the whole family when the kids are home:

Akeelah and the Bee
Night at the Museum
We Bought a Zoo
Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Frozen
Tangled
The Queen of Katwe
Cheaper By The Dozen (esp. black and white version!)
The Long, Long Trailer
The Lego Batman Movie
Flyboys
Aladdin
Christopher Robin movie
The Peanut Butter Falcon

TV shows to stream when the kids are home:

Great British Baking Challenge
Poldark
The American Dream Project
Any Ken Burns documentary series
An Idiot Abroad
Formula 1 (Netflix)
Parks and Recreation
The Kindness Diaries
7 Days Out
The Office
Jim Gaffigan or Nate Bargatze comedy specials

Shows my family teases me for and I still have enjoyed, haha:

Renaissance Unchained
Travels By Narrowboat
Cruising the Cut
Footloose in the Cotswolds
Chicken People (I am a sucker for odd documentaries)

Great Reads when the kids are home:

How to get books when the library is closed:

Many libraries have an online portal where you can download books and other resources with your library card
Kindle or other tablets
Listen with Audible

When I read 52 books in a year:

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes To Them Both
The Whiskey Rebels
Coal River
The Hired Girl
The Ringmaster’s Wife
A Man Called Ove
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Cold Tangerines
Contentment: The Secret to a Lasting Calm (also, Margin)

Help for stay-at-home mom burnout with kids at home more

When you feel like you are losing your mind being stuck at home with the kids–check out these posts here, here and here. This is a difficult and uncertain time, full of tension. Yet, in those stretched fears remember that this too shall pass.

Let us continue to look for the good each day holds, be generous of spirit to help those around our communities, embrace unexpected time to rest up, play with the children, or go for a walk.

Fear is a burdensome taskmaster, but hope and courage is always worth fighting for. Tell fear to get stepping, and choose the make the most of THIS day.

Please share this post today if you found it encouraging, so we can share inspiration among each other! Read post two here, How can I make the most out of what I already have?

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6