A few months into this COVID-19 pandemic, many of you moms out there are most likely at your wit’s end trying to keep your kids from going crazy from boredom at home. And most of the time, you probably leave them alone with their smartphones, tablets, and game consoles to keep them occupied. Well, this is an effective strategy, but it’s not healthy for your kids to sit on the couch with their eyes glued to their gadgets all day.
Don’t beat yourself up over this, though! There are many healthy, fun, and enriching ways you can keep your kids busy at home. Check out three of them below.
Help them acquire new skills
Certainly, your kids have a lot of pent-up energy, and you can help them channel their energy into a new endeavor. You can, for example, get your kids into music and have them take virtual drum, guitar, or piano lessons. Or maybe you have a hobby, say baking or gardening, that you can help your kids take up. Getting them started on sports (but just the ones you can play at home like basketball, table tennis, or backyard football for the time being) is also a great idea as this will help them stay fit and active. Just ask your kids where their interests lie, so they wouldn’t be forced to acquire new skills that they don’t really like.
Assign them household chores
You’re probably swamped with household chores during this sheltering-in-place, right? Then, why not ask your kids to help you out? This is an excellent way to keep them busy while instilling a sense of responsibility in them. Perhaps your eldest can clean up and take the trash out every night, and your middle kids can do the dishes together. The youngest can help you fold laundered clothes. Just remember to give them age-appropriate tasks so that they won’t get overwhelmed. Also, show them you appreciate all their help by thanking, hugging, and kissing them. You’d be surprised how simple words and gestures can go a long way in making your children more willing to help out in the house.
Do fun stuff with them
Being cooped up in your home allows you to spend more quality time with your family, so make the most of this and do fun stuff together to while away the time. Get everyone’s competitive juices flowing by playing classic board games like Pictionary, Monopoly, and Scrabble. You can also have your kids create scrapbooks with you. And if you’re up for it, camping in your backyard—complete with a tent, campfire, and marshmallows—will surely make for a fun and memorable family experience. Bond with your kids as much as possible because they won’t stay young and dependent on you forever.
Keep Your Kids Busy with Worthwhile Activities
While there’s nothing wrong with letting your kids use their gadgets to beat boredom at home during this pandemic, there are other more worthwhile activities, such as learning new skills, completing household chores, and engaging in fun activities, they can do to pass the time. You need to be creative and to keep their interests in mind when choosing such activities.
