5 Ideas to Entertain Kids at Home

With the return of mandatory lockdown, parents are reminded of the recent months in which they were forced to be parents, cooks, teachers and, above all, full-time entertainers.

It's no easy task to entertain the kids when we have to stay locked up at home and when the general atmosphere is one of fear, apprehension, and uncertainty. But we're here to help with some ideas you can do with children at home that will delight both kids and adults.

To cook

Cooking is therapeutic and helps pass the time like few other activities. For children, it's always fun to get their hands dirty with flour, experiment with new textures and flavors, and especially enjoy the result. The most popular are, without a doubt, the famous homemade cookies. Here are four homemade recipes you can try for a different, tasty, and fun snack!

Make a volcano

Is there anything better for a child than the idea of ​​exploding something, whatever it may be? In this case, we're talking about a very controlled explosion, of course. A chemical reaction resulting from the combination of baking soda and lemon simulates an impressive explosion. You can make your volcano out of cardboard or any other material and then, in a shallow dish to save parents some work, let your imagination run wild by following these steps (starting at minute 5).

Read Together

Did you know that the National Reading Plan offers a digital library with free books for children aged 5 and up? Discover the numerous options here and enjoy reading together. Few moments are as special as sharing a story, and you can make the moment even more special by creating a reading nook at home. Why not read inside a magical tent like this one ? You'll see that it will make your reading time unforgettable and one of the most anticipated moments of the day!

Setting up a tent

Whether for a reading nook or simply for creative play, setting up a tent is, most likely, that magical game that's part of the childhood memories of parents themselves. Who hasn't ever grabbed an old sheet and pitched a tent between two chairs or even under a table? If you have a real camping tent, you can even set it up in the living room and spend a different kind of night: the kids will love camping even if it's indoors! They can also have a pajama party and spend a different kind of night in a tent like this . The sky's the limit for this kind of game.

To make a painting

Ah, the colors, the colors! Whether with brushes and watercolors, crayons, or any other material, drawing or painting is one of children's favorite activities. Did you know that we learn a lot about our children by watching them draw? When they depict their house, their own parents, or their favorite things, we realize how they perceive the world and what surrounds them.

This time we suggest a different material for painting: balloons! Using a balloon as an authentic paintbrush has a wonderful result and becomes super fun. You can make planets and build your own solar system using the balloon painting technique. See how here .

There's no need to panic about being confined. The secret is to have imagination, patience, and ask the children what you want to do so you don't make the mistake of creating a lot of work only for them not to join in your games. Have fun and enjoy the activities!