You’re stuck at home … with your kids. If you’re like most of us, you’re trying desperately to keep it all together during the COVID-19 pandemic. But, kids are kids and they don’t want to just sit around while you work. They want to DO things. And, if you don’t channel those balls of energy into constructive pursuits, you’ll wind up with some very unhappy campers (parents included).
To try to chop down on the constant buzz of “I’m bored,” consider creating an inventory of fun and interesting activities together with your child’s input. Enlisting your child to help create their own personal list will give them ownership of the ideas and allow them to be part of the process.
Child Life and artistic Arts therapists at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) compiled an inventory of resources which will be helpful as you create your “What to do” list with your child.
Art Activities
According to our Child Life specialists, arts and crafts activities are often an excellent outlet for self-expression and creativity. They can even help children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Consider decorating a window, creating a journal, or making a fun project with objects within the house. Check out these videos created by two of our child life specialists who demonstrate the way to make a galaxy painting and shaving soap art.
A suggestion from one of our Art Therapists is creating a diorama focused on coping. While most dioramas are created for educational purposes, encourage your child to create a diorama focused on building positive mental imagery, fostering feelings of calm and relaxation, and thoroughly engaging in the creative process.
The focus of this project is to assist your child create their own safe and calming place in nature employing a cardboard box, magazine clippings, drawings and actual objects that evoke feelings or memories of being in nature. You can work on this project with your child or each member of the family can create their own. Once complete, consider sharing the projects with relations , allowing each to elucidate why they created what they did and what it means to them. You can also use this as a way to envision being in your safe and calm place in nature.
Music and Movement
Movement continues to be important for our physical and mental health even as we follow social distancing rules. Young children often express themselves and their frustrations nonverbally, so providing opportunities for them to safely release energy may decrease the likelihood of meltdowns or tantrums. If your family can safely choose a walk, jump rope, or bike ride, you’ll enjoy some fresh air while exercising.
If you can’t go out, consider some indoor exercise such as dancing, jumping jacks or, if you’re feeling creative, jump rope made from paper bags (watch this how-to video to create your own).
A dance party can benefit your family in more ways than merely improving physical health: dance can give family members the opportunity to express themselves safely, to bond with one another, and to support positive interactions.
School-age children thrive with routine and structure, especially when activities are both fun and rewarding. Carving out time for movement-based games can break up the day and help with transitions. Consider involving them in family-based play and movement games such as Simon Says, freeze dance, Red Rover, Mother May I, parachute play with a bedsheet, and other childhood games that are safe to do in the living room or outdoors.
Older children in the family may be looking for opportunities to exert independence and control over their environments. Consider inviting them to hitch you in Zoom group exercise class, which may provide an area for bonding and help them feel a touch more grown up.
Yoga can also have powerful health and wellness benefits. Cosmic Kids has fun yoga and mindfulness activities for younger children. Teens may prefer Yoga with Adriene, a specialty class for youth age 13-18. Explore and Learn There are also many online activities, movies, books and virtual experiences that can help your child learn a new skill, explore a new world, or spark their creativity for their next activity. Check out the links below, separated by age/school groups.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
