9 Enjoyable Activities For Young Children During Quarantine

There are so many uncertainties around the world right now, but one thing that is certain during this pandemic is that children stability as much as possible. I found using alternative ways of thinking helps with creating daily routines that are enjoyable and educational for kids. My twins are almost 4 years old and the newest addition is already 1! It was important for me to make sure I incorporate activities that are not only educational but also entertaining to keep their attention. Now is the perfect time to create beautiful memories that you and your family can cherish for a lifetime! With that being said, here is a list of activities that will keep them occupied and allows you to enjoy priceless moments at home.

1. Write and Wipe Erasable Learning Books I can’t tell you enough how quickly these books enhanced their learning. I purchased them at Target but there are a variety available on Amazon. These interactive books are perfect for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners for hands on learning! It shows children how to write the letters of the alphabet (capitals & lower case) and for each letter, provides pictures and words for children to trace. For the numbers, there are objects to count with both the numeral and the number word to trace. It comes with a erasable marker that clips into the book as well. Best of all the glossy board is easy to wipe clean so that your children can get lots of practice.

2. Educational Workbooks Surprisingly I found several at the Dollar Tree but since we are quarantined, I provided a link for you on Amazon. Although my girls are still 3, I’ve been using Pre-K and Kindergarten workbooks to keep them challenged. They tend to get bored easily. I also purchased a reusable dry erase pocket folder (pictured above) from Dollar Tree as well. This allows us to reuse the same workbooks several times for practice.

3. Sight Cards They absolutely love when I pull these out! Sight cards build a foundation for reading and comprehension. Studying with flash cards increases concentration, improves recall, develop thinking, decision-making, turn-taking, and social skills. They can also be used for fun games that allow children to play and learn.

4. Painting in Pajamas Doesn’t it have the cutest ring to it! My girls get so excited for anything art and craft related! Adding the pajamas just put the icing on the cake (you’ll realize that kids get excited over the smallest things). I purchased these wooden paint kits for a $1 each in the dollar section at Target, washable paint and brush included. An alternative is painting the inside of any cardboard box, especially diaper boxes since they are the perfect size for young children. I normally let them paint while sitting at the glass breakfast table, it’s easier to clean up.

5. Puzzles Dollar Tree find! They had so many to choose from. The pieces are large enough for them to figure out and assemble with little to no help from adults! Puzzles also keeps them occupied for 20-30 minutes incase you need to do some housework or cooking.

6. Crayons and Coloring Books Perfect way to allow kids to exercise their limitless creativity. You can also ask them to draw a specific object or person. My girls love drawing pictures of mommy and daddy even though it ends up looking like a bunch of scribbles! To show my appreciation, I normally display a drawing or two on the wall. My heart melts every time I see their excitement after we showcase their artwork in the house!

7. Baking Cookies or a Cake Another one of my favorite activities and bonding experiences. Even at a young age, cooking with kids can develop several essential skills such as reading, following directions, and measuring. Getting kids involved with cooking helps them to develop eye hand coordination, fine motor skills, and even early concepts of math and science. Can you tell how much they enjoyed being in the kitchen on the photo above! The flour on their little faces was the cutest part of it all!

8. Learning Another Language Through Youtube Normally, I’m the first to avoid excessive amounts of TV or internet use for children but I found some awesome videos to make learning another language entertaining and educational. My children were learning Spanish at school and this was the perfect way to continue at home through the quarantine period (only with parental supervision of course). We connect youtube to our television, this makes it easier to display and prevents kids from changing the channel.

9. Exercise and Physical Activities Dancing, going for a walk outside, sports, or basic exercising are all great ways to ensure your kids are staying active during this quarantine. It also provides both physical and mental health benefits, increases strength in muscles/bones and can even improve concentration in school. One of our favorite activities is a walk around the neighborhood and following this entertaining kids workout routine every morning.

Hope you all stay safe! Don’t forget to wash your hands and sanitize!