Right now many parents are trying to work from home and do childcare at the same time. Prepping more meals, snacks, and doing nap times that can wear you down 7 days a week. Many stay-at-homes might be laughing because this is something that they know all-to-well. Now is the time to be creative and come up with solutions to break the cabin fever. So, you might as well have a few quarantine-friendly tricks up your sleeve.
How can you keep kids entertained and active during the coronavirus epidemic? Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or you’re living that work-from-home life right now, there are plenty of ways to keep the whole family from going stir-crazy and crazy-crazy.
Outdoor Social Distancing Activities
Trails & Greenways In The Triad
If your kids are like mine, you need to keep them moving, active, and outdoors. Whether they have skates, a bike, a scooter, skateboard, or their own two feet, hitting up one of the many Triad-area greenways and trails is a great thing for your kids and the whole family. Try out a hiking trail or the hundreds of miles of paths with your family with our online resources:
Play Tennis
Tennis is a great activity for kids to learn to play solo and learn from mom and dad. It keeps kids active and this time is great to help them learn a new sport. Tennis is still allowed due to its small number of players that fit in well under 10 people. If you want to see the courts to play around the Triad, see below.
Go Kayaking/Canoeing
Kayaking can be a great activity for families and kids to do together. You can go kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding in many areas of the Triad. It keeps groups under 10 and provides plenty of separation from others. See a great list of areas to kayak below.
Triad Kayaking & Canoeing Locations
Go Fishing
Fishing is another great activity that is still allowed under quarantine although certain marinas and bait shops may be closed. It keeps kids outdoors and helps them spend quality time with family and learn new skills. Make sure to check the areas you are going to make sure you can still use them by researching online.
Fishing Spots Around The Triad
Family Yardwork
The last idea to keep kids active and outdoors during a time of social distancing is to have them get outside and help you in the yard. Start a garden, fix up the family playground, put out some mulch, pull weeds, paint something, or build with wood and tools. All these help teach your kids valuable lessons and learn responsibility.
Indoor & Virtual Social Distancing Activities
Virtual Tour A National Park
Thanks to the National Park Service you can take a virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Canyon, and more. Google Maps also offers many virtual tours with Google Earth.
Cook Up Some Fun
If you are already around the kitchen, why not take a moment to teach your children more about food, ingredients, and how meals are prepared by having them cook with you. My kids love using a whisk or mixing spoon and making baked goods, dropping the pasta in a pot, or even learning to chop vegetables with child-safe utensils.
Create A Treasure Hunt
One of the coolest things I have seen parents and caregivers do while stuck at home is creating a treasure hunt at home. Find 10-20 random items that are around your home (think batteries, buttons, hats, shoes, books, etc.) This can be a daily activity and you can generate new lists each night.
Learn Science With Bill Nye
Bill Nye the Science Guy has hosted a Disney/PBS science show for children. Bill Nye is also a comedian, actor, scientist, and writer. He has gained popularity for his many appearances in today’s media as a fun-to-watch science educator. You can browse his site to learn about science through online demos.
Make Elephant Toothpaste
If you love science or even if you don’t, making elephant toothpaste is a great way for your child to see the study of biology and chemistry play out in a fun visual way. You can work together to create a recipe that results in an enormous foaming chemical reaction that looks like an elephant trunk. See here for the recipe.
Online Story Time
If your children love to read or need an easy gateway to start reading more, Storyline Online is a website and app that is perfect for you. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring actors and celebrities reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White, and dozens more. Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, and educators worldwide. Each book includes extra curriculum developed by educators, aimed at strengthening comprehension and verbal and written skills.
Try ABC Mouse
If you have preschoolers then keeping them engaged and learning is required and also a challenge. Fortunately, ABC Mouse has you covered. ABCMouse is a great educational resource with tons of lessons that kids can benefit from.
Video Chat With Family/Friends
Even though your kids can’t see their friends at school or a playdate, it doesn’t mean they have to stop forming connections. There are so many free video chat apps out there for you to use to connect with friends, parents, grandparents, and extended family. Google Duo, Facetime, Zoom, Skype, Houseparty, and more all provide fun spaces for your kids to thrive in quarantine.
Have your own ideas? Feel free to comment below!
