First of all, calm down. I know how you feel, and you are not alone. We are literally all in this situation together, hunkered down in our homes and spending extra quality time with those we live with. Below, my children and I have compiled a list of 35 things you can do in and around your home (most ideas are not originally ours)! Enjoy, and please add to the list!
- Play with sidewalk chalk (in the driveway, on the sidewalk, on your wooden fence).
2. Play outside.
3. Make homemade playdough.
4. Bake cookies together.
5. Have a family movie night in.
6. Build forts.
7. Read together.
8. Order take-out from local restaurants.
9. Paint/color pictures to place in windows for neighbors to admire as they walk by.
10. Do schoolwork.
11. Zoom with teachers and classmates.
12. Pray for your neighborhood. Pray for healing. Pray that we all come out of this stronger.
13. Make LEGO creations.
14. FaceTime/call loved ones.
15. Write letters to those you love and miss.
16. Recreate famous art paintings with items around your house (stoked to try this!).
17. Play in the rain (it’s raining here now!).
18. Create a loose lesson plan.
19. Start a garden. You can find seeds most anywhere.
20. Learn online together (our favorite sites include: pbskids.org, kids.nationalgeographic.com, ABCmouse.com, play.prodigygame.com, www.typingclub.com)
21. Go on a virtual field trip (I can’t wait to travel the world with the children!)
22. Try some take-home STEM activities.
23. Bake biscuits together.
24. Sing songs together.
25. Play card games.
26. Play outside with the water hose.
27. Play dress-up.
28. Go on virtual Disneyland and Disney World rides!
29. Download books from the New York Public Library for FREE!
30. Play board games.
31. Take Ivy League courses for FREE.
32. Sign up for other FREE online courses.
33. Go to Broadway from the comfort of your couch! (the first week of the subscription is free, and it is $8.99/month after that)
34. Go stargazing at night (there are different apps you can download with guides to the constellations).
35. Write poetry and stories together.
How have you been using this time together? What other activities can people enjoy from the comfort of their homes? Please share! Until next time, stay home, wash your hands, and remind those that matter to you that you love them. We WILL get through this!
