With the Coronavirus scare taking over the whole world and schools, offices and colleges closed in most places, it is indeed tough to keep everyone meaningfully occupied at home. Here are some ideas that families can use to ensure that kids and adults alike, can utilize their holidays effectively.
Have a routine –
As much as its easy to say, a routine helps all of us remain disciplined. A time table for sleep, food, even for television can help us realise the need to indulge in other activities like a combination of studies, play, art work etc. Work on a schedule with the kids to avoid retaliation.
Online resources –
There are many online sites that can be utilised for mind stimulation. Some examples are – BrainPop, Curiosity Stream, Tynker, Outschool, Udemy, iReady, Beast Academy (Math), Creative Bug, Discovery Education.
Some YouTube Channels – Crash Course Kids, Science Channel, SciShow Kids, National Geographic, TheBrainScoop, Science Max.
Board games –
Perfect time for the family to spend quality time with each other. Get the scrabble or the monopoly out. A Pictionary can also be a perfect setting for the family. Spend hours without getting bored!
Upcycling household junk –
Time to re-do the house which otherwise never finds a mention in your busy schedule. Rearrange things, change the furniture setting, upcycle furniture by painting it. Nothing like a personal touch to existing stuff! Now is the time.
Get the entire family involved and feel the happiness of creating something wonderful.
Cooking time –
How about the family cooking up a meal together? Bake a cake, cook up a nice Indian meal, or toss a salad – let the kids enjoy the flavours of the kitchen along with the adults.
Gardening –
Perfect time to trim the roses, cut the withered leaves and make your special space look beautiful. Put some lights around the plants or add some home-made Knick knacks to beautify the place. See your hard work get prominence in the house.
Netflix –
This is the safest zone that we can get into. But keep this for the last. Get glued to the television screen only if you are done with other creative ideas. Watch old re-runs. A Friends or an old Indian comedy series. Make it fun for the family!
Reading –
Get the books out. They might have been neglected for a while now. Lay your hands on your favourite ones that you have always wanted to re-read. Or if you have some brand-new ones that hadn’t seen the sun yet, this is the perfect time to open them.
Letter writing –
An art that we have long forgotten. Write to your friends, cousins and family. Get the children to make cards, write a few lines and then keep them ready to be posted. Something that is intimate and makes each one of us so glad.
Indulge in Self-care –
How about starting your own spa? In the everyday run, your feet and body wear out completely. Convert a room into a spa. Gets the candles out, spray some perfume and create a perfect setting. Use home remedies for face masks, pedicure and manicure. The entire family can indulge in this for hours and feel wonderful and refreshed.