To help keep your kids’ screen exposure down while also giving you time to do what you have to do, here are some activities to keep your kids occupied.
LEGO Challenges
If your kids love LEGO, then set them up with a new building challenge every day. Try this great printable 31-day LEGO challenge calendar and let the kids flex their creativity.
Marshmallow Toothpick Structures
Get the kids working on some STEM fun with shapes and letters, doing marshmallow toothpick structures. Kids can have fun building all kinds of creations, try one of these fun challenges.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Create a safe, fun obstacle course out of household items. Challenge them to come up with ideas themselves. Get more ideas here. Obstacle-course-ideas.pdf (mertonbank.st-helens.sch.uk)
Board Games and Card Games
There are lots of board games for kids as young as age 4. Matching games are good for younger kids. There are many solo games out there for only children, too, and from about age 6, kids can grasp solitaire. Try indoor hopscotch, using removable tape on the floor.
Printables
Looking to supplement your kids’ learning? Search for free printable craft and activities. There are millions for kids online. Try printing I SPY sheets that they can both color and search for items. Browse Online Games | Education.com
Puzzles
It’s the perfect solo activity. Younger kids may ask you to help them at first, but if you can nudge them to figure it out alone and then lay on the praise, you might find them working more independently. Mix it up with some 3D puzzles. Check local FB group pages for free ones.
Set Up A Fort
What kid doesn’t love setting up—and playing in—a fort? Grab all of the pillows, blankets, and cushions you can find and let the kids go crazy!
Hide And Seek
This one will take a little pre-planning on your part. Hide a bunch of your kids favorite toys—think teddy bears, action figures and dolls. Let your kids know that their toys are playing hide and seek. They can spend the afternoon (or all day if you hide them well enough) searching for their friends!
Bead Necklaces or Friendship Bracelets
No time like the present to learn this essential solo kid skill! Make some for friends and family and then deliver them. Go to a local craft store for more great ideas!
Paper Dolls
These days you can get the vinyl sticker and magnetic alternatives, which are fine, but if you want something more immediate and old-school, download free paper doll printables for kids to cut out (takes more time!) and play with. Check Etsy, too, for many options under $5.
Around-the-House Scavenger Hunt
Try this site for printable ideas. Free Indoor Scavenger Hunt Printable - School Closure Boredom Buster - About a Mom For younger kids, have them work on identifying shapes with a fun shape scavenger hunt—a ball for circle, a tortilla chip for triangle… you get the picture!
Dominos
Do you have any idea how long it takes to set up a domino knock-down? Sure the payoff is short and sweet, but creating the moment takes a lot of time and patience… time that you could be answering emails or joining a Zoom call.
Cardboard Box Fun!
Decorate cardboard boxes. Let kids go to town coloring or drawing on any leftover boxes you have laying around for hours of fun. They can stack and tape them together, make buildings, robots, etc.
Source (and for more ideas): 30+ Screen-Free Activities Your Kids Can Do ALONE While You Work at Home - Help! We've Got Kids (helpwevegotkids.com)