Many schools across the country will be closed for an extended period of time. In some cases, it could be months before kids return to school. As a parent, you may be worried about the amount of time away from school. You may also be more than a little stressed at the idea of spending endless weeks with bored children. Let’s be honest. This is going to be a LOT of time at home with your kids. It can be stressful. Thankfully, there are many quarantine activities for elementary school aged children that will keep your little ones busy.
Life Skills
Now is the perfect time to start teaching your children life skills. These are the skills that schools do not teach our children. Elementary school aged children can load and unload the dishwasher, fold laundry, take out the trash, wash vegetables, stir ingredients, etc. There are so many life skills your children can learn as a young child. If you want your children to leave home knowing how to take care of themselves, you need to teach them life skills.
Board Games
Board games are always a great idea. Not only are they fun for the family, but they are a great way to practice reading, math, and strategy skills. Chances are you have several on hand. If you don’t want your kids spending too much time in front of the TV, break out the board games.
ABC Mouse and Other Educational Sites
If your school system doesn’t have a learning plan in place, it’s up to you to keep the learning going. There are many great sites and apps available to help you. ABC Mouse is a popular option. The company has also been offering discounts during this crazy time. There is a difference between good and bad screen time. If you want your children to keep learning, consider one of these options.
Brain Building Toys
Encourage your children to play with toys that are brain building. For example, a box of Lego bricks is a great brain building activity. Your children work to determine which pieces will work best to build their creation. Another great option is puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles, wooden brain teaser puzzles, word puzzles, etc.
Keeping your kids busy during quarantine is not only important for your sanity, but can also be an opportunity for your kids to keep learning. Remember the importance of a balance between fun and learning.
Matt Taylor
April 10, 2020Those are all great ideas! Not just for young children for adults as well! I love board games and cooking! haha 🙂
Jessica Collazo
April 10, 2020I love this concept. I have a toddler and I am starting to teach her to pick up things and she loves it, she loves to wash her hands and I always put on educational cartoons and she loved them ,she also loved to dance.
Nayna
April 10, 2020It’s going to be difficult to keep kids entertained and educated too during this period but your ideas are really good.
michelle twin mum
April 10, 2020We’ve actually been really enjoying the lockdown and my kids are keeping us stocked in great baked goods! I’ve also been getting them to help with tasks around the house and we’ve played a lot of cards and board games so far. Mich x
Lisa Joy Thompson
April 10, 2020My kids have been cooking with me, cleaning with me and working on blog photography with me. I figure there’s no time like the present to teach them some of these things!
Jamie
April 10, 2020Great ideas!! I’m really glad that my son is almost 20 and we aren’t having to deal with this part. Praying for all of the parents of little ones. 🙂
Heather
April 10, 2020We are always looking for new ways to keep the girls busy. Give me all the activity ideas!
Dominique Walton Brooks
April 10, 2020Thank you for the list of activities. Fortunately, my son doesn’t need me for entertainment. But my daughter is really having a difficult time staying at home. Thanks for sharing!
Fatima Torres
April 10, 2020Board games are always a bonus when you’re indoors. I love that you’ve included ABC Mouse. Great for the kids to learn.
Pati Robins
April 10, 2020These are great suggestions , board games are always welcomed activity in my house , especially in the evenings
Rhian westbury
April 11, 2020Educational games are great in this environment when kids aren’t all at school due to the lockdowns/ self isolation. I do love a good board game too x
littlemisadvencha
April 11, 2020True! Life skills – these should be taught to kids while they are young. I believe those who were taught with these the younger the age is, they become more successful and persistent in life. 🙂
Kara Guppy
April 11, 2020We have been doing lots of art and crafts with a bit of baking thrown in
Catalina
April 11, 2020My kid is that age and I don’t know what else to do with him! Thanks for these ideas!
Joanna
April 11, 2020Board games are always a fun way to keep the children occupied. There are so many board games these days that can be played among children themselves or with parents.
Rachel
April 11, 2020Great ideas! We have spent so much time baking as my youngest is really getting into it! We are finding recipes that we can make with oats as flour has vanished from my local shops.
the joyous living
April 11, 2020i love board games. i remember getting carmen sandiego when i was a kid and it helped with geography.
Rebecca Smith
April 11, 2020Some great ideas. We have been struggling to think of some new and different activities for the kids to do.
Monica
April 11, 2020My kids school gave us all free access to ABC Mouse which has been so great for my kindergartner. I also want to teach them life skills like doing laundry and cooking easy basic meals.
Liam Wilkinson
April 12, 2020A Great Article, we try to vary up what our kids are doing, at 3 different ages they are all a different levels, but we do utilise things like board games, lego, drawing ,crafts etc.
Emman Damian
April 12, 2020Board games can be fun and it also helps them develop analytical skills! I hope it ends soon. I want to go out and play outdoor sports.
Natalia Vorche
April 12, 2020Wow, Such a perfect post for my kids they are bored in the house and they already miss going to school. Thanks for sharing this activity
Billy Sandoval
April 14, 2020That looks so fun activities for kids. I will do this for my niece.
Valerie
April 20, 2020I like the idea of teaching kids life skills and other things that they won’t learn at school. This is also a good time to get them into a small hobby that they can do at home like painting, gardening, etc.
Anna
April 22, 2020Thanks for these useful tips! I should really check ABC Mouse, sound handy!