With childcare limited, school moved online, and large gatherings off-limits, parents are facing some challenging times. One of the hardest parts about having your kids home 24/7 is finding ways to keep them busy, other than spending time in front of a screen.
We’ve gathered some fun and simple ideas that you can use to keep your kiddos entertained during these uncertain times.
Great Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors
There are a ton of fun activities for kids, but when you’re stuck at home, finding outdoor games and activities is particularly important. Getting outside ensures the kids are getting well-needed sunshine and exercise. Here are some easy things your family can do when stuck at home.
Additionally, many glamping hosts do more than simply taking care of the accommodations. Here at Royal Gorge Cabins, we take extra steps to create a space that is welcoming, fun, and easy-to-use. Every glampsite has their own campfire kit along with steps on how to build your fire, communal areas to play outside, and other games that we can lend to you for a fun family glamping experience.
1. Watch Wildlife
There’s something exhilarating about spotting wildlife. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to be able to identify local flora and fauna. Why not spend some of your time at home getting to know the local wildlife? Even most city dwellers can spot a variety of birds during dusk and dawn.
Buy a local bird watching book or do some online searching to identify the birds that you find at your home. Keep a photo log of the birds and other animals that you spot. You might meet some neighbors that you never knew you had.
2. Play Sports
There are all kinds of sports that your children can play in your yard or neighborhood. You can stick with classics like basketball, flag football, kickball, or baseball, or try something like hacky sack or frisbee. Getting active is particularly important when we have to spend much of our time at home.
3. Get Some Wheels
Buy some wheels and get out as a family. Bikes and rollerblades are good classics. But if you’re looking for something different, try learning to ride unicycles or electric scooters together.
4. Play Outdoor Games
When it comes to outdoor activities, games are typically a hit with the whole family. You can make cornhole, try your hand at horseshoes, or make a four-square court using cones in your backyard.
5. Go Backyard Glamping
Glamping, or glamorous camping, is all the rage right now. And we would know! We’re big advocates of glamping and everything it has to offer, just take a look at some of the glamping tents we have to offer. Immersing yourself in the great outdoors while in comfort combines the best of both worlds. For times when you’re unable to leave your home, why not make your backyard into a fun-filled glamping site for the whole family?
Set up hammocks, chairs, and tents with cushions and comfy blankets for the ultimate in outdoor comfort. Set up a campfire and get out favorites like s’mores to boost morale. Plan activities so everyone has a good time, like telling ghost stories or playing outdoor games.
Stuck Indoors? Try These Indoor Activities for Kids
Not everyone has the ability to get outside during quarantine. Even those who do have times when it’s not feasible to do a lot outdoors. Weather, work, and allergies can make outdoor activities off limits. Here are some fun ideas for your family when you’re stuck inside.
1. Make a Fort
Do you have couch cushions and blankets? Then you have everything you need for a great fort. Fort making is a way of taking camping indoors. When you and your kids build a fort, you give your children the freedom to create an exciting space of their own.
String lights, lanterns, and flashlights are helpful tools to make forts that much more exciting. And don’t forget sleeping bags and cushions so your kids can relish their own indoor fort camping experience.
2. Cook Family Favorites
If you’ve ever watched Master Chef Junior, you know that kids can cook. And they can enjoy it, too. The secret to getting children excited about cooking is to involve them in making food that excites them.
Sit down with your kids and come up with some foods that they might enjoy making. You could decorate a cake or cookies, try your hand at making pasta, or recreate their favorite restaurant meal in your kitchen.
3. Break Out the Board Games
One of the easiest family activities is the board game. There are so many games at this point that there’s truly something for everyone.
While board games have become a bit less popular with the advent of video games, there’s something special about gathering together without screens in the way. Break out a classic like Monopoly, Jenga, or Yahtzee, or try something new and learn a game together.
4. Get Crafty
Arts and crafts are a wonderful way to pass time indoors. Even if you’re not creative, there are countless YouTube videos and Pinterest ideas for fun crafts for kids.
What we love about arts and crafts is that you can do them together as a family, or you can set them up so your kiddos have something to do while you work or get chores done. Making jewelry, painting, puppets, ornaments, or fridge magnets are just a few ideas of how you can get creative at home.
Final Thoughts
When coming up with things for your kids to do at home, have one primary goal in mind: having fun. In these challenging times, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves. Rather than put pressure on yourself to achieve certain goals, let yourself and your kids enjoy this time together. Crafts, games, and getting active are rewarding and educational in their own way. Try to use this time to create memories.
