These 20 unique activities to do while your family is in quarantine is my attempt to make lemons out of lemonade. My goal is to bring families together during a time where we are forced to be that way.
We can worry and fret, stick our kids on screens and wait for the, “I’m bored.” While it’s good to experience boredom, it also is good to have some fun things that the whole family can look forward to.
20 Unique Activities to Do While Your Family is in Quarantine
So, your kids are unexpectedly out of school for a time. For us, being close to Seattle, the governor is saying 6 weeks.
Businesses are shutting down. Parents who have never been stay-at-home parents are suddenly forced into so much time with kids. This will feel different for everyone.
These 20 Unique Activities to Do While Your Family is in Quarantine are intended to break the monotony, provide some structure and unite your family. Have some fun while they are home.
DIY Lifesaver Lollipops
Turn Lifesavers into whimsical lollipops. It’s super simple and exciting for kids. It’s the great taste of a Lifesaver in a fun form. Just follow the instructions here. To make it even more exciting, use a hammer to create fun lollipops out of hard candy by following the instructions here.
Work on Character
Are you familiar with my character building series? This series has 52 different traits to work on with your kids, one for each week of the year. Pick one out that you’re really needing to focus on with your kids and do all of the activities surrounding it. I’m really working on re-vamping this series for you to make it the best it can be! Here’s an intro to this concept with 104 character building activities.
Math War
Kids are out of school, but it doesn’t mean they need to stop learning. Visit here to discover how to learn math facts with math war. Disguising learning as a game is one way to make your kids want to engage in the process.
Andy Warhol Self Portraits
As long as you have a printer and markers, your can do this craft. Kids will love turning themselves into Andy Warhol art as they learn about this great artist. This is a fun one for kids of all ages. Find out how here.
The Oreo Games
Great for indoor or outdoor play, the Oreo Games and relays will keep your kids quite occupied as they battle against one another. I encourage you to join in the fun also. Afraid of heading to the store? Amazon to the rescue (affiliate link).
Beginning, Middle and End Reading Game
Don’t miss out on learning because of school closures. If you have beginning readers, this is a great game that they will love to play. As a private tutor and teacher for years, this was always a favorite.
Perler Bead Bowls
Perler bead bowls are so easy to make, and my kids have loved having these on their shelves to collect all of their favorite things.
Shaving Cream Marbled Paper Craft
This might just quickly become a family favorite. You will all marvel at the results as you scrape off the shaving cream to discover the beautiful results you have created. It’s not hard to make your own beautiful paper, which makes this a favorite craft for kids and adults alike.
Big Foot Races
Get kids moving with Big Foot Races. It’s a unique way to provide entertainment for you kids. Hey, don’t forget to make some for yourself and join in the fun!
Twizzler Perler Bead Art
Most of us are familiar with Perler Beads. However, have you ever considered making edible Perler Bead art with colorful Twizzlers? Here’s how!
Depending on the age of your kids, bean bag games are always fun, and I have 10 different games to play here. It just takes bean bags and imagination to have a lot of fun!
Bake with Your Kids
There’s so much learning to do with baking! You get to measure and teach kids how to work well in the kitchen. With Easter coming up, I had to share these really fun Easter Bunny cupcakes that really aren’t that hard to create. The idea even got picked up by Better Homes and Gardens. Check out all of my fun cake ideas here. Be ambitious or choose something simple.
Spiral Paper Plates
Spiral paper plates are easy for kids of all ages and super fun to hang and watch twist in the wind. Some times our favorite crafts are made from the simplest of materials. This craft is great for the mom or dad that doesn’t feel too “crafty” but still wants to provide craft opportunities for their kids.
Super Hero Paper Plate Craft
For your child that loves everything super hero, you must check out these DIY Super Hero Paper plate craft. The free template offers everything you need to make these masks a reality.
Paper Plate Exercise Game
If you realize that you want to keep your kids healthy and moving while on quarantine, check out this fun paper plate exercise game. It is a fun way to get the blood pumping.
Make a Mom Time Die
This mom time die has 6 sides with six different activities. If the kids are bored, dedicate some time to doing the mom die. They get to roll the die to see what activity you get to do together. The excitement is in the unknown.
Water Bottle Comets
If you are like so many in our nation, your supply of toilet paper and water is out of control. What are you going to do with those empty water bottles? Why not make a water bottle comet? This water bottle provides not only a craft to be made but also a toy to be played. Win – Win!
Gunny Sack Races
No matter what the age, kid will have fun racing each other with gunny sacks. Pillow cases of varying sizes do the trick. Just see how here.
Decorate Your Own Umbrella
Spring has sprung. Rain has come. Have you have thought about having your kids decorate their own umbrellas. You just need a plain umbrella and some paint markers. Here’s how you do it.
Butterfly Pretzels
Here’s a fun spring treat that your kids can help make. Brighten up their pandemic world with a taste of spring and a bit of creativity.
Make the Most of this Pandemic
I don’t mean to make light of what is going on in our world right now. I realize it can be scary, and our loved ones are at risk. It’s a real serious situation with many implications for our world.
That said, it doesn’t help to sit at home and worry. Rather, try and take the unique world situation and use it as a time to slow down, engage with your family and the make the most of a really weird and awful situation.
These 20 Unique Activities to Do While Your Family is in Quarantine will help point you in some direction, but I have so many more resources for this time. Take the time to explore all my tabs to find oodles of ideas for engaging with your kids.
If you are looking for some more activities specifically aimed at younger kids, check out these 40+ ideas for two year olds.
