Parenting

Coronavirus boredom busters: 50 creative ways to keep kids busy

2 May, 2020 . 0

Staying at home all day is no easy feat, especially for energetic kids. But a little imagination can go a long way when it comes to filling in those oh-so-long hours.

With coronavirus lockdowns potentially lasting for months, even the most resourceful parent will be tested when it comes to keeping kids occupied at home.

But having fun should be your top priority during isolation, says senior psychologist Vicky Saltis, of Play Psychology.

“Play for children is a sign of normality,” Vicky says.

“It allows us to change the channel in our brains, from any worrisome thoughts, to a more relaxed, happy and enjoyable interaction.”

Tricky topic: How to talk to kids about coronavirus

The key is having a range of activities that will keep their brains active, bodies moving and fostering connection.

“Board games with family are a great as they create and maintain positive bonds and interaction,” says Vicky.

“For younger children cause-and-effect games are highly beneficial along with therapeutic play with sensory materials like rice, water playdough and kinetic sand.”

Most importantly, there is no need to go out and buy expensive toys or games.

Instead use things you already have at home and use your creativity to come up with new activities.

Lockdown: How to make the most of your extra time at home

50 ideas for kids’ activities to get you started

Learn origami
Bake healthy snacks
Hold a daily running race and record your time
Make musical instruments out of recycled materials
Create an obstacle course
Hold a backward running race in your garden
Make your own word search puzzle
Start your own veggie patch
Visit the NASA Kids’ Club and learn more about space
Listen to an audiobook
Make pasta or pizzas from scratch
Run a karaoke hour
Plan a family workout
Write a journal entry every day
Pick a country to learn about, then cook its national dish
Build a house of cards
Use toilet rolls to make puppets
Make traditional lemonade
Design an indoor or outdoor scavenger hunt
Throw a family dance party
Make a movie using a smartphone or tablet
Organise the bookshelf in alphabetical order
Create a list of chores to earn pocket money
Make a volcano
Create an overnight camp in the lounge room or backyard
Start teaching your kids the road rules
Play dress ups
Listen to a podcast such as Squiz Kids, Brains On or But Why
Make a papier-mache piñata
Put together a time capsule
Join a virtual choir
Take a virtual tour of an international museum or landmark
Create a quiz or crossword
Build a castle out of LEGO (or try a 30-day LEGO challenge)
Spend a day rearranging your bedroom
Make slime
Make playdough
Plan a dinner party – either for your immediate family, or a virtual one with family or friends
Teach your pet a new trick
Create a list of questions, then call or email grandparents or relatives to ask them the answers
Pull out an atlas or globe and learn the names of all the oceans
Draw your dream home
Make a game of bingo
Learn how to juggle
Try a meditation or fitness class
Buy some chalk and draw on the footpath
Make paper planes and hold a race or distance competition
Pretend the floor is lava
Build a cubby house or fort
Write a letter and post it to a friend