Pandemic-Friendly Fun When the Kids Are Home From School

If you are like most parents, then you are probably always thinking about fun activities to do with the kids when they are home from school. There are a lot of hours in the day to cover, and with new COVID-19 variants causing additional caution, the options are somewhat limited. However, there are many fun activities that you can do during summer, winter, and fall breaks, and they are fun for kids and parents alike. Here at Kids Need Both, we understand the importance of family relationships, so we have some great ideas on how to bond and have fun with your kids during breaks.

Fun in Your Own Backyard

The pandemic makes it a bit more difficult to enjoy the types of social fun that we have been used to all these years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your kids in the safety of your own backyard. There are all sorts of existing games that you can play back there, from playing cornhole and oversized Jenga to having a fun BBQ with all the goodies that your family loves to eat.

There are tons of activities that you can do that will give you and the kids plenty of physical activity, like throwing water balloons, playing tag, or even playing a fun game of croquet. You can make your own fun activities out of things you have at home, such as a hula hoop obstacle course or you can have a treasure hunt where the kids search for their favorite things and the winner gets to choose the next activity!

No matter what you do, it is important for parents to take a few precautions so they can retain their sanity during all the fun. Remember to take it one step at a time, be relaxed while retaining your authority, and make yourself as comfortable as possible. Try wearing comfortable shorts or pants along with a nice, loose-fitting maternity T-shirt that will help your body breathe when you’re running around while being soft enough to give you that warm, fuzzy feeling.

Fun Education

While your kids may be out of school, for now, it is still important that they exercise their brains and continue to have at least some form of education so they are in the right frame of mind when they return to their classes. Sometimes education can be disguised as fun and it is a great opportunity for non-residential parents and marginalized folks who have to work twice as hard to keep up with their children’s educational life.

There are a ton of fun educational games that you can play right there in your home. Even a game as simple as hang-man can be fun for the family and help your kids to learn to spell. Many teachers like to incorporate vocabulary words into a game of bingo, which is always a great time. Jigsaw puzzles are always a great go-to that will keep your child’s mind engaged.

Many board games also provide educational experiences in which everyone in the family can be involved. Some great options like Scrabble, Risk, and Monopoly offer plenty of fun that will also keep the brain ticking. Yahtzee is a great game for students who want to improve their math skills.

Go Camping!

One of the best ways to avoid the germs associated with the coronavirus pandemic is to spend time outside while social distancing and camping is a great way to do just that. Pack up the tent or a camper and go out to your favorite campsite where you can roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and gaze up at the stars.

Camping also provides plenty of opportunities to exercise and learn. By taking a simple hike, you and the kids can burn calories while learning about new plants and wildlife. Make a game out of it as each person tries to find the most number of new species and then reminisce about what you found later around the campfire.

As you can see, there is plenty to do with your kids during school breaks. These are fun activities that will also help you to bond as a family. If you want to learn more about family bonding or any other services we offer, contact Kids Need Both here. Written by  Joyce Wilson

Photos via Unsplash