Corona Virus = Boredom For Your Kids!

The United States is dealing with a pandemic and most of us are finding ourselves "sheltered in place".  School is cancelled and our children are home and probably for many of them, this is their first taste of boredom--in their entire lives.  Boredom can put them on a treasure hunt for creativity and inspiration.  Many children have online learning tasks, but what else can they do--when the school work is done, but they can't go hang with their friends?  Here is a list of things that might inspire your children during these unusual circumstances:

MUSIC:

• CHALLENGE THEM TO WRITE A SONG
• HAVE THEM LIP SYNC TO MUSIC THEY FIND ONLINE
• ASK THEM TO PUT TOGETHER A PLAY LIST THAT IS TIED TO AN ACTIVITY--LIKE CLEANING THE HOUSE OR STUDYING OR ROAD TRIPS
• HAVE THEM MAKE UP A DANCE TO A FAVORITE SONG AND RECORD THEM PERFORMING IT

COMMUNITY OUTREACH:

• WRITE NOTES OR CARDS FOR NEARBY RETIREMENT CENTERS
• COLLECT ALL THE POCKET CHANGE THEY CAN FIND AROUND YOUR HOUSE AND MAKE A DONATION TO A FOOD PANTRY
• MAKE POSTERS OF HOPE AND KINDNESS TO DISPLAY IN YOUR WINDOWS

FAMILY CONNECTION:

• HAVE THEM FACETIME OR SKYPE WITH AN OUT OF STATE RELATIVE
• WRITE, DRAW OR SING A GREETING TO SENT TO A FAMILY MEMBER
• SET UP AN ONLINE MEETING WITH COUSINS OR EXTENDED FAMILY GROUP
• PLAY ONLINE GAMES WITH EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS

BAKING/COOKING

• GIVE THEM COOK BOOKS TO READ
• ENCOURAGE THEM TO CHOOSE A COOKING SHOW SERIES TO WATCH
• ALLOW THEM TO BAKE SOMETHING OF THEIR CHOOSING
• CHALLENGE THEM TO COOK AN ENTIRE DINNER FOR THE FAMILY

ART

• FIND ART MATERIALS AND ENCOURAGE AN ART PROJECT
• FIND ITEMS IN YOUR HOME LIKE VASES OR FLOWER POTS THAT THEY CAN PAINT OR DECORATE WITH MOSAIC ART
• CHALLENGE THEM TO CREATE A COLLAGE FROM MAGAZINES, CATALOGUES, NEWSPAPERS
• TAKE THE TIME TO TEACH THEM TO KNIT OR CROCHET OR SEW--OR LOOK FOR TUTORIALS ONLINE

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

• ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO SOME YARD WORK
• HAVE THEM PLAN A GARDEN-FOR FUTURE PLANTING
• REPOT PLANTS
• START A SEEDLING FROM FOOD LIKE POTATOES OR ONIONS OR AVOCADO
• TAKE SOME CUTTINGS OF SPRING BUSHES AND FORCE THE BLOOMS INSIDE

This crazy time will come to an end, but maybe the interests your children develop during the mandated down time can blossom into a life long passion.  Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.  Sending love and encouragement to all of the families facing these challenges right now.  Be kind and good to one another!