Lockdown Activities For Frazzled Parents ⋆ Simple Ula

With continuous lockdown restrictions in Ontario, increasingly frazzled parents are looking for ways to keep their kids entertained while they’re stuck at home. If you’re working remotely, doing chores or simply need five minutes to yourself, take a look at these simple lockdown activities that will keep your kids busy:

1. Online Playdates

If your child’s school or daycare center is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, you’re going to be bearing the brunt of childcare. However, online playdates can be a great way to keep kids busy while also giving you a little time to yourself. If you have friends with kids of a similar age, set up a virtual playdate so they can interact via video chat. Alternatively, ask grandparents or aunts and uncles to engage with your kids virtually so that you can grab a much-needed break.

2. Personalized Name Puzzles

When you’re caught out by a remote meeting running over schedule or you’re feeling a little under the weather, you need a ‘go-to’ activity that will keep little ones busy at the drop of a hat. Fortunately, personalized name puzzles do just that. These puzzles can provide many benefits for kids of all ages. They are brain-building activities that help develop cognitive and fine-motor skills, foster cooperative play and spur problem-solving prowess.

Puzzles are a perfect way to spend some quality time together (with your little one), but kids feel proud of themselves for completing one on their own, as well. Better yet, they’re an interactive way to teach colors, letters, planets, animals and beyond. Kids are only going to succeed when they try to put together a puzzle. They find the proper place for each, individual piece. “The actual act of manipulating each piece, testing and turning it to see if it fits, is how children learn essential problem solving and critical thinking skills”.

Psst, ACEcrafty also offers some beautiful gifts for the upcoming Father’s Day, which you can check here.

3. Send Them On A Nature Trail

When you’re subject to lockdown restrictions, there isn’t much you can do outside the home, but a nature trail is a great way to keep older kids active. Give your kids a list of things to look out for and ask them to check something off the list when they see it. Send them out into the garden or near to your home and see how many they can find.

Kids love being independent, but you’ll want to ensure they’re safe at all times. When you can search for their location with just the phone number, it’s easy to keep track of older kids and give them the independence they crave. Additionally, setting up a virtual GeoFence means you’ll receive alerts if your child moves out of a specific geographical area, like your garden. This makes it easier for you to concentrate on other things while your kids are busy and active.

4. Indoor Treasure Hunt

An indoor treasure hunt is an easy way to keep kids entertained and it only takes minutes to set up. Hide toys or snacks and scribble down a few clues that will help youngsters to find their coveted treasure. If you want to get ahead of the game, you can even set your treasure hunt up when the kids are in bed and issue the clues when things are feeling frantic the next day!

Keep Kids Occupied During Lockdown

After months of lockdown restrictions, it’s not surprising that both parents and kids are feeling frazzled. However, these simple activities will help to keep your kids busy at the drop of a hat and give you the chance to relax and unwind while they’re occupied.