Spring break just got an extension and I’m sure all of your kids couldn’t be happier! When they’re complaining that they’re bored 3 hours into their long Spring Break nobody will be in a good mood, so I wanted to share 10 things that you can do with your kids during this Coronavirus outbreak and still keep your sanity.
1. Go outside!
Don’t be afraid to take your kids for walks, explore what nature has to offer, and maybe even have a scavenger hunt in your backyard. I know that it might seem scary to take your kids outside with so much uncertainty, but they need to not remember this time as something scary.
2. Have a Picnic!
There are so many parks that don’t involve swing sets, playgrounds, and other germ collecting pieces of equipment- Longs Park has a beautiful walking path, Stoner Park has a hill that overlooks the entire park, and I’m sure you would find that your backyard would be the perfect fit for this activity.
3. Start a Garden
I’m going to attach a website link that talks about What To Plant in March that includes a LONG list of what to plant in your garden this time of year! Make sure to check out the veggies under the “Temperate” section, since we definitely don’t fall under the Tropical Zone! If you’re more interested in how to rehome your indoor plants or what other types of plants (and less veggies) that you can plant, check out this article by Costa Farms that focuses on 10 Things to Do in Your Garden in March.
4. Picture This Clothing
I can’t rave about this enough! You can make clothes for your kids (and yourself) by sending in a picture that your kids draw themselves! I mean, that is probably the coolest thing that I’ve ever heard of. Abagail is really artistic and I can’t imagine the smile that will light up her little face when I surprise her with this one. Can you tell- I use my kids as guinea pigs for these types of fun experiments. I’ll keep you all posted if this is “Abagail Approved”! Check them out, and if you guys decide to try it- let me know what you think, too! (Picture This Clothing)
5. April Fools Day Planning!
This is PERFECT timing! With April Fools Day approaching quickly I’ve made a list of just a few of my favorite pranks. Honestly, even though I have it all planned out now I can guarantee you that I will forget and do the majority of the these things so very last minute. Don’t be like me, don’t procrastinate! Good thing I already helped you with the list! (Safe & Fun April Fools Day Pranks for Kids)
6. Camp out in the living room
We have a sleeper sofa in our living room, and even though it sounds cheesy, it’s the best piece of furniture in the house! It’s also the best thing to use when planning for a camp out with snacks, pillows, blankets, juice, and Frozen 2 (which is now out on Disney+, we’ve only seen it 6 times so far…) Your kids will definitely remember this fun time when mom & dad let them take over the living room for a movie night.
7. Kid friendly dinner
I know that my fellow moms and dads already have to worry about making a dinner that your kids will actually eat, but why not really push the boundaries? What silly things can your kids come up with? Pink mac and cheese? Green mashed potatoes? How about blue milk? I can tell you that we’ll be putting this into effect immediately so lighten the mood in the house now that we’re on a bit more restrictive schedules than we were 2 weeks ago.
8. Take your kids fishing
I used to love going fishing with my dad, and even though we haven’t had the opportunity to pass this same love onto our daughters I can tell you that I wish we did this sooner. There are countless ponds dedicated to fishing in Lancaster County, and a quick Google search will help you find the one closest to you; don’t worry about a license for your younger kids, either! If you’re under the age of 16 you don’t need one, so that’s less stress for you! Need some fishing gear? Check out your local Walmart, Tractor Supply, Target, and even Amazon to grab yours. Please remember- we are in the middle of a virus outbreak, and the best way to obtain these items might just be online shopping.
9. Spring Cleaning!
Oh man, it’s already that time of year again and I’m sure so many of you don’t want to hear that! Half the population is already disinfecting their countertops, why not add sofas, rugs, blinds, and cabinets, too? Spring cleaning will help distract you from all the craziness going on outside and by the end your house will look and feel AMAZING. I think that counts as a win-win, right?
10. Movie Marathons & Pillow Forts
Can you say movie marathon? Forget cleaning, forget laundry, and forget even getting dressed! Grab your kids, all the blankets and pillows in the house, hot chocolate, and maybe even a sweet treat courtesy of Lancaster Cupcake! Your kids will thank you for letting loose and just spending time with them, doing what they want to do.
Your kids need you to be present and happy, I know that during this time it might seem so easy to forget that they are little and don’t understand the severity of everything in this world. Give them grace, give them love, and give them a happy mom.
Talk soon,
Miranda
Looking for more blogs to read through while your kids are online learning & your’e just barely keeping your sanity? Check out a few of my favorites here!
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