Are you a parent stuck at home like me, googling activities you can do with your kids to keep them (and you) happy?

Well, parent to parent, I’m here to share 24 ideas my hubby and I have come up with to keep our tiny 3-year-old human (and ourselves) not only occupied, but creating memories to make this a time we can look back on fondly.

I promise that none of these ideas include #workingfromhome, #springcleaning, or #chores. Not that you shouldn’t have those on your list, but why not have some fun, too?!

 

24 stay-at-home activities you can do with your kids

1. Bake cookies. Nothing is more fun (or tasty!) then baking a batch of cookies. Sugar cookies are my go-to. They are easy to make and a great way connect with your tiny human. Add in a splash of icing and sprinkles and you have a tasty after dinner (or afternoon) treat!

2. Speaking of dinner. In our regular lives we often feel rushed to get something on the table, so “quick and easy” wins. Now that time is on our side, we can take things at a slower pace, and with more patience. Choose something you’ve been wanting to cook but never got around to in “real life,” and let your little humans be part of the process. It’ll promote healthy eating, teach necessary life skills, and help develop those fine motor skills. A don’t-miss opportunity!

Heads-up! I meant it about the patience part. My little helped me grate cheese the other day, and I *did* take a flesh-wound in the process lol. BUT It’s worth it!

3. Snuggles. Soak up all the snuggles. Enough said.

4. Get outside. We can practice social distancing *and* still get outside for fresh air and exercise. Maybe it’s a walk, starting a garden, or just enjoying your lunch outdoors. It’s not good for them – OR you – to stay inside all day. Heck, at least crack a window and watch the birds!

5. Rainy day. Can’t get outside? Move aside the dining table and use painter’s tape to create an indoor obstacle course or hopscotch (remember all those things we used to do as kids?!). Check out this gal – she corralled all the best painter’s tape ideas together in one place!

6. Build a pom-pom wall. Have lots of paper towel and TP tubes hanging around from all that TP you’ve been hoarding? Make a pom pom plinko-style wall with your kids!

7. Have a dance party! Put on some seriously happy tunes. You know, the catchy songs that you can’t help but to sing along with? Whatever makes those hips shake! Currently trending in my home: Taylor Swifts “Shake it Off” – my little one goes nuts! I heard a rumor that my boss Rebecca West has been putting Google on volume 8 and busting out showtunes from Annie, Sound of Music, and The Little Mermaid. Remember, these ideas are #goodforgrownups, too!

8. Cereal necklace. I found some yummy Peeps cereal that I normally wouldn’t buy (yes – sugar loaded!) but decided it would make a great edible necklace. This is a chance for my little to practice motor skills, colors, and patience. Cheerios or Fruit Loops would work just as well! Use what you’ve got!

9. Build a pillow fort. This is old school, but it’s ALWAYS a good idea! Grab your chairs, the sofa, pillows, and sofa cushions to build your structure and throw blankets or sheets over the top to build your ceiling. Add some twinkle lights or a string of Christmas lights and you have the perfect cozy place for imaginary play and bedtime stories. No need to go to bed afterward – you can just “camp” inside!

10. Have a sleepover. Whether you build a pillow fort to sleep in, or just sleep “under the stars” in your own living room, go ahead and stay up late, bring out the sleeping bags, eat all the popcorn and watch a movie together. It’s not like there is school tomorrow lol.

11. Make homemade play-doh or slime. Both play-doh and slime use pretty common household ingredients, and can inspire a love of chemistry and art in people of all ages! Makes a pretty good stress ball for grown ups, too! Playdoh just needs, flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, and oil (plus food coloring if you want to make it extra fun), and slime just needs white school glue, baking soda, and contact lens saline solution (again, plus food coloring or glitter if you want to make it extra fun).

12. Have a spring painting party! Spring is officially here and could not have come at a better time. Grab your paints or watercolors, get out on the deck or in the yard, and go to town making a fabulous mess!
Note: *Add in a glass of wine for an instant adult version.*

13. Virtual museum tours. Ever dream of visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris? Now you can from the comfort (and safety) of your couch! Take a virtual tour of 12 renowned museums from around the globe. I have already “visited” the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam (yay for no crowds!).

14. Have a quiet hour. My little lady may be over naps, but I’m not! My hubby are trading off mid-day activities so we can enjoy an #adultnap. If you do not have the option to trade off child duty, block off an hour to have a “time out”. Turn off the TV, silence your cell phone, and send the littles to their rooms to do a quiet activity. Use this time to read that book, meditate, yoga or whatever brings you calm.

15. Set up a scavenger hunt! This is a great one inside or out in the yard, and can be adapted to any age. If Easter is your thing you can also have an early easter-egg hunt. Check out the enthusiasm of this kiddo filling his basket with eggs!

16. Do easy origami. This one might be better for older kiddos, but if you have nimble fingers, it’s a great way to occupy those minds and hands! There are LOTS of YouTube videos to walk you through creating dogs, bunnies, and more. You can create a whole zoo!

17. Take an online class. Our founder Rebecca says that one of her favorite childhood memories was taking a class on making tiny dollhouse beds with her grandma. Why not learn something new alongside your little one, like this free class for quick and easy weaving on a cardboard loom?!

18. Have a balloon party. Put those leftover balloons from a previous birthday party to use. Blow up lots and unleash the littles. Balloons always get our little one riled up! Plus you can get science-y and show them some fun static electricity tricks!

19. Play hide and seek. A classic.

20. Make healthy snacks. We all know Joanna Gaines rocks the interior design world, but did you know she also does all things domestic? These power balls are a fab source of fiber and protein, and are one of my favorites to make! Don’t worry if you don’t have all of the ingredients – I made ours without flax seeds or chia seeds, and instead added crushed macadamia nuts! Show your kids the power of making do and being creative!

21. Face-time grandparents (and other loved ones) and share cooking or craft time. Both my parents and my grandma are among some of the most vulnerable to this virus. As hard as it is, we are staying away. But Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime all let you see family even if you can’t be there in person, so why not call or Zoom in. You can just chat, but why not share an activity from this list – just coloring together over Zoom can help make you feel closer! ❤️

22. Board games and puzzles. From Memory and Chutes & Ladders to Monopoly and Carcassone, there are games for every age. I’ll bet you have a few collecting dust on a shelf. Grab one and play!

23. Send someone special a postcard. We just sent out a postcard (straight from our phone, no post office trip needed) to grandparents in California with the Touch Note app. Who doesn’t love getting happy mail?!

24. Online Story Time. The folks at Storyline Online stream videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. We’ve listened to Harry the Dirty Dog read by Betty White last night 🙂

I hope at least one of these ideas for activities you can do with your kids inspires you to create fun memories during this #stayathome time.

This new normal will have its trials, and it *will* test your patience. You may feel like the sky is falling, and all sorts of apocalyptic scenarios are likely to play out in your mind. Try to avoid the rabbit hole of watching COVID-19 updates. The fear and uncertainty of our future is real, but it may very well be that some of our little ones’ first memories will be from this time – let’s do what we can to help them look back fondly and cherish these times.

 

Give yourself grace and take it one day at a time. 💙