For most of us, the past almost two months (WOW!) have been a tough but necessary experience. For those of us quarantined at home with children, it may be getting tough to constantly think of new activities to keep everyone entertained! Here are some ideas I’ve come across for fun new ways to engaged your children during this trying time!
Have an indoor, balcony or backyard picnic!
Just because we are limited in our outdoor time doesn’t mean that we can’t have a picnic! Spend time preparing lunch together – make your favorite sandwiches, pick out your favorite snacks and bake or choose the perfect dessert to share. Grab a blanket and choose a location for your special lunch with your littles! (PS – This idea doubles as a cute after-the-kids-are-asleep date night idea! Just add wine!)
Indoor/Outdoor Window Painting!
Put down some newspaper or old towels to contain mess, mix a small amount of dishwasher liquid in tempera paint and BOOM - Mini Picassos! Add masking tape to create mosaics and promote painting within the lines or encourage letter and number practice. Especially for those of us in apartment buildings, this is a great way to promote community and brighten the day of those around you!
Make Your Own Playdough or Slime!
This classic activity is fun for a variety of ages. Playdough provides hours of activities such as number and letter forming and shaping different animals and objects. Both activities are great sensory activities and the end result can provide a stress relief tool.
Playdough ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups lukewarm water
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
Food coloring, optional
Quart sized bags
Stir together the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a large pot. Next add the water and oil. If you’re only making one color, add in the the color now as well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball. Remove from heat and then place inside a gallon sized bag or onto wax paper. Allow to cool slightly and then knead until smooth. If you’re adding colors after, divide the dough into balls (for how many colors you want) and then add the dough into the quart sized bags. Start with about 5 drops of color and add more to brighten it. Knead the dough, while inside the bag so it doesn’t stain your hands. Once it’s all mixed together you’re ready to PLAY.
Store the play dough inside the bags once done to keep soft. Keeps for up to 3 months.
SLIME INGREDIENTS:
8-ounce bottle Elmer’s white school glue
1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons contact saline solution, more as needed
1 Tablespoon baking soda
Food coloring, optional
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE SLIME
Add glue and food coloring to bowl. Squeeze the bottle of glue into a bowl (photo 1). Add your food coloring if desired, and stir until combined. Then mix in baking soda (photo 2).
Mix in saline solution. Add 1 1/2 Tablespoons saline solution and mix until combined (photo 3). If it’s too sticky, add 1/2 Tablespoon more solution at a time. The more you add, the thicker it’ll be. The less you add, the slimier it’ll be (see texture in photo 4).
Knead the slime. Using your hands, knead the slime until it holds together. It will be wet and gooey at first, but just keep kneading until it all comes together.
Store slime. Store slime in a container with lid, or in a zip top bag. The slime is best to play with on a place mat.
Have Any Fun At Home Activities??
Feel free to share in the comments! Happy quarantine!!