Keeping your kids entertained all summer long can be a daunting task. And there are of course many activities that your kids can do with or without you like going to park with friends, taking them to park or an outing but that is not so favourable to you and your kid's health at this COVID-19 environment. So, that is why EduGoals have compiled a useful list of 10 activities for your kids that would keep them busy at home and make them constructive at the same time.
1. Create an idea box.
Brainstorm ideas with your children about what they can do to overcome boredom. Write down their suggestions and put them in an empty box. Then, the next time they are bored, have them pick out one of their own suggestions. Given that it was their idea, they will be more willing to actually do it.
2. Offer Creative toys.
Any toy that lets a child create is sure to keep them distracted for a long time. Invest in Legos, puzzles, and Play-Dough. Not only will your child be able to play with them for hours, but they will build up their spatial reasoning too.
3. Listen to an AudioBook.
If your child’s too young to read independently, pick up audio versions of their favourite books. Let them sit down and turn the pages while listening to a friendly voice read to them. Or, if you can’t find a recording, use your phone to make one yourself.
4. Create a Scavenger Hunt
You don’t need to make a whole list — just say, “Find me something that starts with the letter B,” and let them run around the house searching. To keep your kids motivated, you might reward them by letting them choose a dish for dinner once they’ve found 10 things.
5. Stair Count
The habit of counting to children will begin to help them understand numbers when they are older. Whenever your child is going up or down the stairs, count each step. Your child will begin to absorb this language.
6. Screwing Things Together
This fun activity will help develop fine motor skills. Locate a flashlight that screws together. Show your child how to screw the parts together. Show your child how to take them apart.
7. Give them chores
This isn’t a popular option but can be good for them. If you’re going to clean the kitchen, have your children clean their rooms. Not only will you get time to actually do your job, but your kids will learn that they have a role in keeping the house clean, too.
Keeping little ones occupied is tough, but trying new activities for kids will get them used to play independently.
8. Acting and Imagination
Young children learn by imagining and doing. Have you ever seen a young child pick up a stick and pretend it’s a wand? What about picking up a rock and imaging it’s a rocket? Imagination and pretend play builds skills in many essential developmental areas. The best benefit is that it’s something that parents and children can do with limited resources.
9. Make them the host
Organize a birthday party for your kids favourite toy at your home. It could be anything from just a pretend tea party — maybe in your poorly child’s best to make sure they’re resting up — to a big party with music, balloons, treats and party games (think Musical Statues, Pass The Parcel and Simon Says).
One tip from our side: start with a little smaller party as we are convinced that your children may ask for more parties like this. Be prepared to have a few ideas in reserve in case all the toys start piping up and saying their birthdays are coming up, too.
10. Playing games that require focus
Focus is essential for everything — from day-to-day activities to leisure-time reading. Lack of concentration affects not just academics, but even performance in small tasks.
By engaging children with meaningful activities — like playing chess, you can easily increase their concentration.
BONUS:- Scavenger Hunt (with a twist)
Creating a scavenger hunt and adding activities in it according to your child’s capabilities is a good way for them to be busy for a while. Like finding numbers around the house and for each number there is a task that requires them to make a snake with the clay and every number requires them to make a different figure.
Do try these methods and tell us which ones worked best for you. Don’t forget to share your experiences and any other activity suggestions that we might’ve missed.
