Making Quarantine Fun for Kids

As many of us find ourselves socially distancing from one another and staying isolated, we know many parents are having a hard time sorting through all of the resources available. The Wellbeing Network team has compiled a list of our top five things to do with the kids while in isolation.

1. Check out all of the exciting things the Smithsonian Institution has to offer with its online “Fun Stuff for Kids” resources. You can meet some of the animals at the National Zoo; explore the Smithsonian’s learning lab; or even get a close-up look at some of its most famous objects with Smithsonian 3D. To check out everything the Smithsonian has to offer click here.

2. Get the kids involved in the kitchen! Super healthy Kids is a great resource for parents with recipes for every meal of the day. They also have so many other resources for families including fitness routines, ways to stay healthy in your home and so much more.

3. Use what you already have! Break out the old Lego set or building blocks and create a mini city on your dining room table or living room floor. Forget the directions and get creative with the kids; build a “skyscraper” or drive the toy cars down the “streets” you create. Or, you can tackle that 20,000 piece set you never really finished!

4. Have the kids grab some headphones and listen to some Audible Stories. Audible has made a wide variety of kids’ books completely FREE! Just click to listen; you don’t need to enter any information and it can provide hours of listening. Start listening now.

5. If you’re tired of the screens and being cooped up, head outside into the yard for a creature hunt! The best part is you need minimal supplies:

• Paper
• Clipboard
• Pen/Marker
• Or just use a notebook!

Have the kids create their own wilderness explorers’ guides. They can list (or even better, draw!) some creatures common to your area, such as ants, butterflies, squirrels, birds or worms) and include a tally section, then start searching. Bring along the binoculars, if you’ve got them, to spot soaring birds but please remember — maintain your distance from your friends and neighbors!