Do you need some more ideas to keep your little ones active, engaged and having fun?
It can be hard coming up with new ideas to keep children interested . Check out some of the diverse ideas below if you need a bit of inspiration! Got another idea that you think others might like?……share it with us and spread the goot ideas around!
BBC Tiny Happy People
This page has activity ideas to try at home with children from pre-birth to age 4-5. They are divided up into age ranges. There are also videos and transcripts for nursery rhymes and songs – perhaps you can learn a new one with your children and FaceTime family and friends to show them what you’ve learnt.
Click here to discover BBC’s Tiny Happy People
The Literacy Trust
In response to school closures, The Literacy Trust have produced activities divided up into different age ranges to benefit children’s writing, reading and language development.
Click here to find The Literacy’s Trust’s activities
The Imagination Tree’s stay at home survival guide
A variety of different activities all requiring different levels of planning and resources. From writing to family and friends to designing a Lego contest, there is something here for everyone.
Browse The Imagination Tree’s activities
Chatter Pack
Chatter Pack is a resource list curated by an NHS children’s therapist. There are significant numbers of links, in sections such as virtual tours, music, anxiety/mental health and loneliness, as well as more activity based ‘online learning’.
Visit the Chatter Pack resources here
Outdoor Activities
Remember that self-isolation doesn’t mean that families need to stay inside. Families must stay quarantined if they are showing symptoms of coronavirus. Otherwise, at the time of writing they can still go outside and enjoy the fresh air with one walk a day with other members of the same household while still maintaining social distancing
Wildlife Watch Here, you’ll find a long list of activity sheets that are free to download. The activities vary in difficulty and not all of them require you to have a garden.
The Woodland Trust’s Tree ID
The Woodland Trust have produced some printable ID guides to help children learn about trees. Use them to identify leaves, twigs, blossom and fruits throughout the year.
Learn more about trees throughout the seasons
Here are some simple, fun activities to help keep the little ones engaged and amused while at home:
1.Scavenger hunt;
Look for something that is: Hard, Soft, Rough, Smooth, Bendy, Knobbly Collect 3 things which fit these descriptions.
2.Bean Game;
Each time you call out the name of a bean, you have to make the appropriate actions. Runner Bean- running on the spot String Bean-standing up straight with your arms stretched out above your head Broad Bean- star jump Baked Bean- curl up into a ball Jumping Bean- jumping on the spot Has Been- lie down on the floor There are lots more beans so you can make up your own actions for them!
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Skills with a sock ball;
- Make a ball with rolled up socks to practise- Catching- help your child to learn to catch with you and by themselves Throwing- use a cereal box to throw ball into Aiming – try knocking a cereal box down
4.Disco;
Learn to follow instructions- stop, start, touch the floor, kick your leg, arms in the air etc. Good exercise in a small space.
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Animal Races:
Waddle like a duck Slither like a snake Hop like a kangaroo Plod like an elephant Jump like a frog
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Follow the leader:
Leader jumps – all jump Leader puts their hands on their head – all put their hands on their heads Shake their body etc Squats etc
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Learn the parts of the body:
Can you touch your toes with your nose? Can you touch your knee with your elbow? Can you touch your heel with your wrist? Can you touch your ankle with you forehead etc?
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Build a den in your room with a couple of chairs and a sheet or towels:
Have a picnic
Read a book Sing a song to your teddy It’s good to have a space of your own whilst we are all confined together.
Hope you enjoy trying out some of the above with your little ones – Play, Relax, Enjoy!
Playdoh Recipes
cooked version 1 cup of plain flour 1 cup of warm water 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar 1 teaspoon of cooking oil ½ cup of salt Food colouring Mix all the ingredients together, adding the food colouring last. Stir over a medium heat until smooth. Knead until blended smooth. Place in a plastic bag or airtight container when cold. Non-cook version 1 cup of plain flour ¼ cup of salt cup ½ cup of water and food colouring 1 dessert spoon of cooking oil 1 dessert spoon of hand lotion Mix the flour and salt together. Add the hand lotion, oil and water. Mix well and knead until dough is smooth. This produces a pleasant smelling dough, however, a successful dough can be made without using the hand lotion.
Talking to Children about Coronavirus
News of the Coronavirus is everywhere. Many parents are wondering how to discuss with their children in a way that is reassuring and will not make children more worried.
They also have a mental health advice line available for parents operating between 9:30am – 4pm, Monday to Friday Tel: 0808 802 5544. Click the button below for a visual, interactive and child friendly explanation of Coronavirus.