Keeping Your Kids Entertained During Lockdown
With ‘lockdown’ measures now extended until May 5th (and probably beyond!) you may be wondering how you are going to continue to keep your children entertained in the coming weeks. You’ve done well up to now but it can be hard to remain inspired. That’s why we’ve put together some ideas of how you can keep your kids entertained during lockdown.
TV & Movies
Now we’re not saying to sit your kids down in front of the TV all day, everyday but it’s a great way to keep them entertained if you need a little ‘me’ time, or need to get some work done. Apps and platforms like Disney Plus and Netflix are a saving grace in times like these. It’s also a great way for you to unwind and bond with your kids, watching some classic Disney films from your childhood that your kids may not have experienced yet!
Exercise
We’ve spoken about how you can get some exercise indoors during this pandemic, but it’s also important for your children to burn off some energy. With the recent measures in place, apart from brief trips outside to the park we need other ways to keep them active! From getting creative with tape and balloons to making obstacle courses with hula hoops and couch cushions, this website has loads of fun and creative ideas for you to follow!
Games
Playing games with your children can teach them a lot of valuable lessons, creativity, strategy, problem-solving, the list is endless! Playing games with your kids (whether they’re young or teenagers) is also a really good way to get them talking and spending precious time as a family. Board games offer many great benefits for children, so why not break out the scrabble, pictionary or monopoly and go old school with some good old fashioned board games to keep the kids (and you) entertained during lockdown. Got some jigsaw puzzles hanging about? These are also great to make with the family.
Crafts
Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of Arts & Crafts? It’s a great way to check-out and focus on something other than news headlines for a while. Kids especially enjoy getting crafty. Not only is painting, making, colouring and drawing fun for kids but it’s really great for their development. Arts and Crafts can “Encourage Self Expression, Helps in Socializing, Promotes innovation and creativity, Enhances decision-making skills.” Blog’n’Knit. Now that children are not in school, it’s important to work on these skills at home.
Online School Resources
School is also now a big aspect of home life, considering home is now where lessons are taking place. Online resources can help you with teaching your kids from home as well as keeping kids in a routine, and entertained throughout the days. Websites like Twinkl.ie and Scoilnet.ie are full of helpful resources!
Read
Can’t get out to your local bookshop or library during these times? Grab your iPad or Kindle and download some kid friendly books and encourage your kids to spend some of their day reading! Kindle and Apple Books offer a range of titles with some starting at just 99 cent! Apps like Borrowbox (which is an online library) also let you download a range of books for free.
And remember, make your life easier by setting up a free JInga Life account to manage all your family’s healthcare info!