I know you’ve already been doing tons of things to keep our kids, toddlers and teens busy, but in case you’re out of ideas, maybe there’s something new on this list.
- Sensory play! (there are tons of recipes online for things like cloud dough (flour and baby oil). We can put hair gel in a ziplock bag to avoid mess- it’s squishy but clean!
- Draw your grown-ups while they take a rest on the couch!
- Research your home community
- Look for worms; splash in puddles
- Forts! (I personally believe things are more fun in a fort)
- Reach out to an Elder
- Have a living room picnic
- Be a kindness ninja- secretly do something nice for someone (write them a kind note, do something nice, or help them out!)
- Paper airplanes or origami
- Learn how to tie a tie
- Write a resume; practice your interview skills
- Cook or bake
- Play some Minute to Win It games (tons of online games use household items!)
- Make a gift for someone you care about
- Look in the mirror and tell yourself ten things you love about yourself
- Have an indoor snowball fight with balled-up paper
- Practice a traditional dance
- Read, write or make a comic book
- Help out the family! Maybe do the dishes or find a new chore you can help with!
- Draw yourself as a superhero! What are your powers?
- Play restaurant. Make a menu based on what you know how to *safely* cook or prepare, and let the adults order. Set the table, prepare the food, serve them, and then clean up the restaurant before you close it up for the day
- Lego- build a kit, create something new, or challenge someone to build the strongest bridge or the tallest tower
- Make a stop motion video using your device and lego/clay/paper (there are tons of tutorials on YouTube)
- Make or create something (sew, paint, construct, bead, weave, knit, crochet, sculpt, draw, build) out of any materials you have available- get creative
- Play games (cards or board games), or make up your own game
- Teach your grown-ups how to play your favourite video game
- Play name that tune, sing, or dance
- Learn some words in another language
- Play an instrument, write a rap or a song, or make a music video
- Start a random acts of kindness project
- Clean, organize or rearrange your room
Have fun, everyone! Play is good for our mental health.