100 Activities to do with kids at home

kids playing
Playing in our own backyard

I realize this is not the biggest issue we’re facing right now. To those who can’t be home with your kids, or who are fighting illness, please know my thoughts are with you and my prayers are for you.

To all of you who posting that you’re on Day #3 of Corona Break and your kids are already making you nuts, here are some activities to keep you going. If your kids are anything like mine, each activity should last you about five minutes…

1.Get outside for the sunrise. What better way to start your day than with new beauty?

2. Make your own crayons by de-papering and melting into silicon molds.

3. Create a marble run.

kids at campfire
Campfire’s are fun at any time of day

4. Mad libs.

5. Pick each other’s boogers. Just kidding; but, this is what I threaten when the kids tell me they’re bored, so then they’re usually willing to come up with something else to do.

6. Make your own slime.

7. Build a blanket fort.

8. Eat lunch in the fort.

9. Go for a bike ride.

10. Google “waterfall near me” and go for a hike.

11. Have a dance off.

12. Play dress up.

social distancing
Scenic drives are a great way to get out of the house and stay in the safety of your vehicle.

13. Put on a fashion show and see who can come up with the craziest outfit.

14. Order a new toy. Kids are always enthralled by the novelty of something new. It doesn’t even matter if it’s a $1 toy. Better yet, order something for yourself and let them play with the boxes.

15. Build a box/furniture maze.

16. Bake something new.

17. Do some yoga – we love Cosmic Kids for fun kid-themed stretches.

18. Do some YouTube karaoke with cooking spoon microphones.

19. Get dressed up and have a tea party.

20. Reenact your favorite movie. You’ve got time – you could even do a few and film them!

21. Build a bonfire. Roast some hotdogs for dinner, and go wild with s’mores for dessert.

22. FaceTime your grandparents and friends and family with your favorite jokes. Visits may be discouraged, but connection is more important than ever.

social distancing
Sunsets are free, family friendly, wheelchair accessible, and available around the world while maintaining social distancing.

23. Find the shapes in the clouds.

24. Go on a virtual field trip by visiting a museum online.

25. Do some gardening.

26. Blow bubbles.

27. Create some massive art – this could be with paper rolls, or even on the sidewalk. Kids like doing it big.

28. Read together. I’m hoping to get us all through my illustrated version of Harry Potter. Depending on how long this lasts, maybe we’ll get through the whole series!

29. Have a family movie night… on the floor… under a blanket fort… with popcorn (Frozen II is out!!).

30. Have a photo shoot – let the kids take turns taking the pictures.

31. Learn a new language. Ok, we’re not going to be cooped up that long, but it would be fun to at least work on some basic words or phrases. How about some sign language? You can find a ton on YouTube.

32. Make your own playdough.

33. Kinetic Sand… outside.

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34. Wash the car.

35. Have a tub party. It’s too cold here to swim outside yet, so we’re putting on suits and hopping in the tub. Add toys, bubbles, or colors to spice it up!

36. Play a board game.

37. Hide and Seek... in the dark… with flashlights!

38. Simon Says.

39. Would you Rather.

40. Give each other mani-pedis.

41. Create a family journal of your days stuck inside – pictures will suffice.

42. Look through baby books and tell them stories about when they were babies.

43. Have grown-up conversations. It’s pretty interesting to hear kid responses on grown-up questions. Ask them what they most fear, or who they would most like to meet. Here are some more ideas.

44. Have kid talks. They have lots to say! Here are some great conversation starters.

45. Plan a trip. We may not be able to travel right now, but we can dream and plan!

46. Go on a road trip. There’s plenty to be seen without leaving the safety of your car. Google scenic drives near you.

47. Create an obstacle course.

48. Lay a blanket out back and enjoy the sunset.

49. Star gaze.

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50. Pitch a tent in your backyard. You can camp out, or just use it for story time during the day.

51. Get crafty. Now is the time to pull out all those projects you’ve been saving for a rainy day. My kids have a stash of crafts we’ve never had time to do. Or just pull out all your supplies and see what they create!

52. Have a building contest. While you’ve got the crafts out, why not see who can build the longest bridge or tallest structure?

53. Draw in shaving cream.

54. Play in the dark with glow sticks in bubble water.

55. Exercise.

56. Clean up. My kids actually love hardcore cleaning. (Not picking up toys.) It can’t really make things worse to let them wipe windows and mop floors…

57. Color. All of you. Together.

58. Make home made ice cream.

59. Make home made butter.

60. Send ecards to show your friends you’re thinking of them.

61. Teach your dog a new trick.

62. Paint each others’ faces.

63. Snuggle.

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64. Create home videos, or take turns interviewing each other on camera.

65. Jump rope.

66. Make sock puppets.

67. Put on a puppet show.

68. Have a pillow fight.

69. Create shadow puppets.

70. Collect wildflowers... or weeds… and make a bouquet.

71. Play I Spy.

72. Dye pasta for sensory play or sorting.

73. Sidewalk chalk.

74. Try a new sport. If your kids have never done badminton, it’s likely to be a hit!

75. Create your own story by taking turns telling each part.

76. Play with balloons.

77. Challenge the kids to lick their elbows. It’s impossible… and entertaining.

78. Fingerpaint.

79. Create a Tupperware band. This is two-fold: in addition to a fun activity, you can clear out the mismatched pieces to reorganize.

80. Sleep in. Ok, just kidding, young kids will never let you do that.  Instead, let them watch TV.  What?!?  I know, I know.  I feel you. I hate screen time.  Kids, however, love it, and it lets you get dressed in the morning with minimal interruptions – just like you would in a hotel.  You can still stick with PBS Kids or something that you don’t strongly feel is actively making your kids dumber, but this will make mornings more enjoyable for all of you.

81. Make a big breakfast.  Starting with a feast feels fun – even if it’s just cereals, fruits, and muffins.

82. Eat breakfast outside.

83. Fly a kite. If breeze and space permit.

84. Eat dessert first.  If you’re really feeling wild, you could just do ice cream for dinner.

85. Listen to live bedtime stories with Olaf on Twitter.

86. Cornstarch with just enough water for a thick liquid for sensory play.

87. Pray with your kids. We often rush through bedtime routines because we’re short on time. Take a moment to spend time teaching your kids what matters.

88. Glow stick parties in a dark room.

89. Charades.

90. Discuss your highs and lows of the day – and the quarantine.

91. Race paper airplanes.

92. Make a thankful jar and fill it up.

93. Go on a scavenger hunt.

94. Have a domino knock down contest.

95. Try your hand at Origami.

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96. Dye eggs and have an egg hunt. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, this can fill almost a full day.

97. YouTube “Just Dance” or “GoNoodle” for some physical activity throughout the day.

98. Watch Lunch Doodles live with Mo Willems.

99. Host a miniature car wash. Cut an old washcloth into tiny squares, fill a cup with soapy water, and get out the toy cars!

100. Engage and enjoy. These are trying times, and feeling trapped doesn’t help, but try to take some time to enjoy these unexpected moments together. Put your phone away and connect with your kids. This curse can also be a blessing.