Children have a lot of energy, and they need to direct that energy more productively. As a parent working from home, you might find it challenging to juggle your time between your work and tending to your kids. Aside from creating a schedule and routine that everyone follows at home, providing activities dedicated to them can help establish a sense of daily purpose so that they don’t end up looking at their phones, staying on the computer the whole day, or throwing a fit out of uneasiness.
Arts and Crafts
Whatever interests your child has, and even if they aren’t into the arts that much, this is a good outlet that will promote their imagination and self-expression. Not only that, being able to hold and control a pen or crayon is also good for dexterity training in younger children. You can pull up a video from YouTube that they can follow (like a Bob Ross video or a drawing tutorial for kids), give them some crayons and papers, and just let them go crazy. If they are into cutting and pasting, you can help them create a scrapbook or give them a card-making set that they can use on their own. A unique way to bond with your children is through diamond painting. Order some diamond painting kits to learn a new skill, and have some brilliant home decor pieces as the end result.
Remember that arts and crafts isn’t limited to drawing and painting. This can be a good opportunity to teach children skills that they can use when they are older, like sewing. If you have a tweener or a teen, take this time at home with them as a chance to get them into sewing. You can start with simple stitching so that they’ll know how to patch a hole or fix a tear. Then you can allow them to find their own specific interest, like using a sewing machine to make their own clothes or bags, or perhaps they might even get into crocheting.
Martial Arts
Believe it or not, there are online martial arts lessons. If you have a very physically active child, this can be a way for them to redirect their need to move around. Martial arts are known to teach discipline and control, so instead of them running around the living room and knocking things over, this might be the activity for them.
Programming for Kids
Children these days are exposed to technology at such young age; it should be no surprise if they start to show potential in programming. There are already mobile apps and services that teach programming to children, and there are also online resources that are kid-friendly and easy to follow. Programming is great in teaching kids patience and problem-solving skills. Plus, the reward of being able to finish a program that functions the way they want it to will surely give them a confidence boost.
Maker Community
Creating buildings with legos is a fun activity for children of all ages. Nowadays, building blocks are no longer limited to just big and bulky rectangular ones. There is a variety of them, from being able to create an entire city to putting together the Death Star from Star Wars. Sometimes though, children want more than just unmoving structures made of plastic bricks.
If your child shows interest in both building and programming, you can consider getting them into robotics. There are Robotics kits for children with achievable and understandable instructions. This can be a good exercise for their brain and spatial awareness. Robotics, after all, can be interpreted as a combination of problem solving and construction.
Tabletop Role-playing Games
If you haven’t heard about tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs), they’re basically what an online role-playing game is, but on paper. What’s great about TRPGs is the social aspect of them. You get to play characters, act out scenarios, fight monsters (or bad guys), and ultimately have a great time with the people you play with. It’s a good way to exercise your kids’ imagination and a good way to teach them how to work together as a group, too.
The thing about TRPGs is that many people assume that they’re all about fighting demons and monsters, but there are many options when it comes to the “world” you will adventure in. And while there are many options, there are also ready-to-play modules that will help you ease into the hobby.
Music
Exposing your child to music at a young age can prove helpful for their growth. Many studies prove the benefits of studying music. It helps with concentration, coordination, discipline, and brain development. Not to mention, it’s simply fun, and this sense of fun coupled with the intrinsic benefits it provides makes it a great activity to do while they’re stuck at home.
Whatever activity you choose, having fun while learning is essential in kids’ development. So keep it in mind before making your decision.
Leave a Reply