Ideas to Keep Your Family Entertained Inside the House
Although books, ebooks, and audiobooks can’t be beat, you may be feeling restless. Here are some ideas to get you started. Most of these can be adaptable to a wide-range of ages with a little creativity.
- Try our upcoming DIY window paint tutorial on FPPL TV and brighten up your windows
- Check out Dav Pilkey at Home and challenge your family to a draw-off of Dog Man characters.
- Look up public art and murals in your area and take a field trip in the car to see them.
- Cook or bake together as a family
- Have a family dance party using a Spotify list
- Work together to make a short stop-motion movie using toys or LEGOs.
- Build your own kite.
- Create your own ‘Drive-in” for family movie night with the kids using cardboard boxes or laundry baskets.
- Start a family journal or scrapbook
- See what instruments you can put together using things you have around the house and then stage your own parade or concert around the house.
- Write letters or make drawings for relatives or friends who may be feeling isolated or lonely during this time.
- Collaborate on telling a story.
- Teach the kids to knit (finger knitting is a great entry point for younger kids)
- Play secret agent and experiment with codes and ciphers.
- Take advantage of the sunshine and plant something (even if it’s just in your window). Short on seeds? Try planting an avocado pit or a bean and see if you can get it to sprout.
- Try to re-enact these Minute-to-Win-It challenges
- Have the kids sketch out or write out an idea for a video game level on paper to get them to think outside the (X)Box. Bonus points: use something like the Bloxels app to make it a reality!
- Brainstorm as a family for some way (even small ways) you might be able to share your appreciation for community health workers or lend a hand to neighbors and community members who may be struggling.
- Have a family storytime over Zoom with relatives you haven’t been able to see.
Other Resources
Coping Strategies and Resources for Parents and Kids from the Child Mind Institute
E-learning
- Education.com guided learning and study packets
- Storyline read alouds
- MSI Chicago’s brain games
- Khan Academy (math, science, social studies)
- Squiggle Park reading skill building
- National Geographic for Kids
- www.facebook.com/animalfarmmusic (music education classes offered twice a day by Animal Farm Band, who have performed at our library multiple times)
- Performer Justin Roberts’ “Stuck at Home” page with music, crafts, and free downloadables
- Adaptive Technology interactive lessons and resources for all abilities, but especially those learners on the Autism Spectrum.
Things to Do
- Art Projects for Kids drawing tutorials
- Education.com guided learning and study packets
- Storyline read alouds
- MSI Chicago’s brain games
- Khan Academy (math, science, social studies)
- Squiggle Park reading skill building
- National Geographic for Kids
- www.facebook.com/animalfarmmusic (music education classes offered twice a day by Animal Farm Band, who have performed at our library multiple times)
- Adaptive Technology interactive lessons and resources for all abilities, but especially those learners on the Autism Spectrum.
- Open-and-go science lessons from Mystery Science
- Kodo Kids STEM workshops
- Math Games at PBS Kids
- Math apps by Bedtime Math
- WeAreTeachers’ recommendations for best educational Netflix shows for kids
- CincoPuntosPress: bilingual videos and tutorials shared through their Twitter.
Arts/Crafts
- Draw with Mo Willems and check out his “Lunch Doodles” You Tube series.
- Draw Every Day with JJK (illustrator/graphic novel author Jarrett Krosoczka)
- Art Projects for Kids drawing tutorials
- Blick art project free lesson plans
- Kinderart art lesson plans
- Krokotak.com coloring sheets and craft project ideas
- United Art & Education art project ideas
- Artful Parent art and project ideas
- The Home Learning packs at DK’s “Stay at Home” hub
- DC Kids Camp activities and tutorials through their DC Family Newsletter
Music
- Performer Justin Roberts’ “Stuck at Home” page with music, crafts, and free downloadables
- Istvan and His Imaginary Band, one of our library favorites, recently shared content from his latest project, Evie, the Queen of the Insects. Check it out.
- Jim Gill launched an interactive sing-and-read-along project. Take a look!
Culture & “Field Trips”
- Take a virtual field trip with Google Arts and Culture
- Take a virtual tour of a national park.
- 20 Minute concerts and educational activities
- Bring the Zoo to You Brookfield Zoo Facebook live chats
- HiMama activities compilation
- 8 Virtual library tours of amazing libraries around the world
- Explore 360 Panorama tours of Disney parks!
- Go floor by floor at the National Aquarium
- Get a whale’s eye view with the Beluga cam from Georgia Aquarium.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium has a whole page of animal cams. Which one will you choose?
Readings & Readalouds
- Publisher’s Weekly roundup of author and publisher free offerings
- KidLit TV
- Stimola Live activities and readings with authors
- @SavewithStories on Instagram for celebrity readings
- Dolly Parton’s Goodnight with Dolly
- Magic Tree House Warriors Reading Challenge
- Celebrities read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, starting with Daniel Radcliffe!
- Compilation of online readings from the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators
Yoga/Mindfulness/Wellness
- Tips for parents on how to supporting young children (and themselves) during this time
- GoNoodle free Mindfulness and movement videos
- Kids’ yoga playlists on You Tube by instructor/musician Bari Koral
- Cosmic Kids Yoga
Podcasts/Music
- Story Pirates
- Wow in the World
- Circle Round
- Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
- Lullabies from around the world playlist beautiful animation accompanies these
- Rita Wilson’s quarantine playlist on Spotify
Hand wash songs to help your family when “Happy Birthday” Gets Old
- Tips and Hand-washing songs for children from the Extension Alliance for Better Childcare
- NPR reader suggestions
- Hand-washing Song Generator
- Bored Panda 53-song roundup
- Paw Patrol Hand Washing Song