The stay-at-home quarantine rule may be over for many of us, but it’s still a great idea to remain socially distant. Most Summer camps are closed or only allowing a small amount of children to attend. As we patiently wait for a safe vaccine or a cure for COVID we can still have a lot of fun at home. Make some time for play by trying out some of these fun and game ideas.
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Take A Nature Walk or Hike
Your nature walk can be fun in your neighborhood, a local park, or on a hiking trail. Bring along magnifying glasses to inspect small bugs and leaves and a plastic cup or jar to collect rocks. You can also provide your nature hiking pals with a small notebook to write down what they find or hope to find. Outdoor trails are pretty fun, especially if they include a waterfall or a stream of water. Be sure to dress in comfortable shoes, charge your phone before heading out, and take water and a first aid kit if you are far away from home.
Kids will love having their own nature kit to take along on a hike or trail.
Take A Run Through The Sprinklers
It’s really hot here in Alabama, so if you are experiencing torching hot temps like we are here your kids will really enjoy playing in the sprinklers. Running through the sprinklers is an old school way of play that my brother, cousins, and I enjoyed for hours. Bring this nostalgic form of play up to date by adding in a few fun water toys including a cool water slide and kids sprinkler.
Create AnObstacle Course
This is definitely one activity that your kids will enjoy! To create your own obstacle course at home or at a local park you will need a variety of fun toys or recreational supplies. Feel free to use bicycles, hula hoops, pool noodles to jump over, soft balls for dodging, colorful cones for silly hurdles, speed ladders for jumping, and skipping.
Bean bag toss is always a great game to add into an obstacle course
Blow Bubbles Everywhere
Maybe it’s just me, but I believe that playtime outside for younger kids should always include bubbles. It’s frugal fun that can last for hours. Take the work off of yourself by using a bubble machine.
Make Art With Chalk
Use colorful chalk to draw pictures on the ground. Let your kids trace an outline of you or their siblings which will surely make the art more interesting to look at and for picture memories.
Create A Photo Booth
We are surviving through a quarantine. One day our children will remember this time and be able to share how they created fun moments, meals, and memories while socially distancing at home together. Why not take pictures for the memories. Create your own props that say things like “safe at home” or “stay home” etc.
Practice A New Sport
If your child has always wanted to play a sport, but maybe struggled learning the fundamentals, now is a great time for them to learn how. There are a ton of beginner skills lessons on YouTube for just about every sport that you can imagine. The teachers may or may not be experts, but it’s a beginning until we can safely take lessons in our cities and countries.You can watch my videos on YouTube here.
Build A Fun Toy or Make A Game
If your kid is begging to do something fun that requires going into crowded environments try to recreate that experience at home. There are tons of homemade games and fun things that you can do with items found around your home. Most of your supplies can be ordered from a drive up service such as Target or Walmart. Pinterest is also loaded with ideas. You can also bring a game of bowling to your own backyard.
Go Camping
You don’t have to go to a campsite to go camping. Backyard camping has become our fun for outdoors.
You can still roast marshmallows, grill dinner, and even sleep comfortably in a tent. This Coleman tent is our favorite to use for our camping adventures. Don’t forget your Bluetooth speaker, bug spray, and sunscreen.
Cooking LessonsatHome
If you have never allowed your little ones into the kitchen to help you cook now is a great time to let them have a chance at some mixing fun. They don’t have to use the stove to cook or to learn how to prepare a meal or snack in the kitchen, but it’s perfectly fine with adult supervision ONLY. Never leave them unattended around hot temperature appliances or a sink filled with hot water.
Children can learn to cook by making simple foods such as sub sandwiches, fruit salads, and cookies. My daughter loves to add in all of the ingredients and stirring everything all up.
My son enjoys making homemade pizzas with his dad. Cooking with kids is a great bonding experience and it teaches them a skill that they can use forever. Another way to introduce kids cooking is by watching kid cooking shows.
Have A Water Balloon Battle
Water day is always fun at school and camps. Kids can wear swimwear and toss water balloons for fun.
Filling up water balloons can be so tedious. I like using these fast filling balloons to help my kids play outside with their water guns.
I hope that this post will be helpful for you and your family. Be sure to pin it on Pinterest and share it with a friend.
