School buildings being closed due to the coronavirus means children and teens are at home more often than they usually would be during the school year. But that doesn’t mean they have to remain inactive.
If you've got kids at home, there are lots of options for them to stay busy and active, thanks to Forbes magazine.
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Choreograph a dance routine
There has been no shortage of fun kids' tunes over the years. If there's one that your little one can't stop playing, come up with a dance routine they can do with it. Older kids can also get in on the action based on a top 40 hit or their favorite song on Hot 107.9.
Get into some friendly competition
It’s easy for kids and teens to take to video games for racing one another, but what about doing it the old-fashioned way? Set up a finish line near your home and let your kids race safely to the end. Come up with a tantalizing prize and the competition is on.
Break out the sidewalk chalk
Sheltering in place doesn't mean staying indoors around the clock. Get crafty by stepping onto a safe walkway or the driveway and draw under the warmth of the sun. Keep it classic with a game of hop scotch, which will get kids moving. Or come up with a new way to play with chalk.
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Play card games
Introduce or reintroduce game night to the family by having all members gather for cards. Teach them how to play spades or break out a classic game of Uno. You can also come up with your own games — it's not unusual for people to have their own rules for traditional card playing, anyway.
Make puppets and put on a show
Being active doesn't always have to mean games and running around. Flex those creative muscles by using items found at home to make puppets with a tutorial from the Center for Puppetry Arts at Home. Afterward, kids can write a story and put on a puppet show with their newly crafted items.
Whip up some treats
There's more time to get your hands dirty in the kitchen so why not get the kids involved in a cooking project? Some recipes — like this one for mac and cheese — require mixing. So let the kids handle that while you help if they're younger. The best part is the tasty meal you'll get to eat when it's all done.
Bring camping indoors
You may not be able to venture out to a camping spot, but you can bring the camping experience into your home. Pitch a tent outdoors or build a fort in the living room with sheets you don’t mind being pulled every which way. Get the kids to pitch in and make it their own.
"Challenging children to pitch a tent — or, in the absence of a tent, create a play fort — out in the yard ... can teach kids innovation and resourcefulness," according to the Atlantic.
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