With March Break behind us but with businesses and schools taking extra precautions this season you may be finding yourself back at home with the kids and looking to be entertained. It’s one thing to have a fun filled weekend full of activities and playtime but another to take over the routine of the week onto yourself.
If you’re ready for something novel to do while you wait for the madness to cool down, we’ve come up with a few ideas that may even become staples with the family in the future.
- BUILDING A PLAY-DOME
Play-domes are pretty awesome for a few reasons. They are not just simple forts you can create out of pillows and a couple of sheets. They require some measuring, thinking, precision, cutting and creating. A play-dome has to be done right. Creating a play-dome from scratch will give your kids a sense of accomplishment and pride.
There are tons of online resources for creating domes of various shapes and sizes. This one from PBS.org really breaks the steps into bitesized chunks.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_geodesic_ei.html
2. CRAFTS:
But the cardboard madness doesn’t have to stop there. You can create amazingly creative projects using cardboard alone. Check out these tips from Buzzfeed for lamps, wall art, sculptures and even a marquee sign.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jadayounghatchett/cut-out-and-keep
3. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:
It sure is hard to get your kids to read or visit a gallery or museum on a regular day but now that they are at home it might be a tad easier to get them to take in a little bit of culture. The best thing about it? Everything is digital so your children should be more receptive to engaging if they don’t have to do things the “old boring way”.
- You can now Tour the Hermitage Museum online!
Begin in the main vestibule here: https://pano.hermitagemuseum.org/3d/html/pwoaen/main/#node338
You can also watch a creative documentary shot in the Hermitage: https://youtu.be/_MU73rsL9qE
2. Virtual Van Gogh Museum (Netherlands)
https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/KwF-AdF1REQl6w?sv_lng=4.8813324&sv_lat=52.358454&sv_h=63.47698904931913&sv_p=-11.36085436307826&sv_pid=Nhu3UwMqQHZJBpIMBcAafg&sv_z=1
3. Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is offering free live streams from its Opera Archives. The online program is set to follow along with the same opera that audiences would have seen had they attended the theatre, with some exceptions.
The program for the month of March and the beginning of April is available here: www.staatsoperlive.com
4. Audible
Download a riveting book like The Hobbit, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Harry Potter and many more!
4. GAMES
Playing games together is an amazing way to bring everyone closer, relaxed and having some fun. boards games, charades, connect four, snakes and ladders, twister, anything that gets your gang to step away form the technology and interacting and having fun together.
Snakes & Ladders: amazon.ca/Snakes-Ladders-Board-Traditional-Children/dp/B00N5SAWNE
5. COOKING
Cooking up a storm and trying new recipes together can be a lot of fun. There are endless options available to get the kids involved. Try this Banana bread recipe from Super Healthy Kids and taco cups from Delish.com but don’t stop there. Make cooking a regular part of the routine.
- Banana Bread: https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/banana-bread-makeover/
- Taco cups: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a57791/taco-cups-recipe/
Looking for additional resources? Check out this Master Homeschooling Online Resources with games, biology, music, math and more:
Staying at home at this time doesn’t have to be hard or frustrating. With a little bit of planning the days can be fun-filled, memorable and even educational. No doubt kids love routine but the routine can be varied up and this is the perfect time to try a few new things together.
