How to Keep Kids Entertained While Working From Home

I know we all are struggling with how to keep kids entertained while working from home. It is busy and hectic particularly with the coronavirus lockdown and working from home. I have gathered you my tips and tricks to keep you sane and kids happy while we navigate this extended time at home.

Firstly, explain to your kids what is a coronavirus and why it is so dangerous. Refer to your country-specific health authorities website for the specifics. It is good to remind them of the correct handwashing technique, how to sneeze with paper, put the paper to the bin and wash your hands. Cough to your elbow and all-important why we need to wash our hands so well.

You can explain the coronavirus by putting a shallow plate with water and put coffee granules or pepper on the water. Let the child dip their finger on the water. It will come up with pepper or coffee. This demonstrates the virus and how you can get it and pass it along.

Science Experiments at Home

There are few that you can print out from the internet or Pinterest. But the few that I have used are the good old Coca-Cola bottle full of coke and you put menthol candies on the bottle very fast and run. The Coca-Cola will explode like a volcano so you need to be quick. This should be done outside on a flat surface as it is messy. Great fun to talk about why the drink actually reacts with the menthos candy.

Another one is having a shallow plate with milk and you put a few drops of different food coloring and draw pictures with a toothpick. You can do this with different colors and take pictures. You can try the same with when you do pancakes. Just make the different color mixtures with food coloring and mix it with toothpick or spoon in the pan.

Reading to Kids, Kids Reading to You, You Reading with Them

There are many ways to make this work, whatever is the most helpful way to get your kids engaged on reading. It might be listening audiobooks as well. But just making the space to read and showing interest on this will help.

Keep Kids Busy Playing Games With Them

Card games, board games like monopoly, uno. Try puzzles or jigsaw that you can get them to do on their own. Whatever it is that you have at home. You might even order some at-home delivery or print out from the internet, create your own.

Set Up Daily Routines to Keep Kids Busy

It is easier when you get kids to co-operate and get them to set a schedule for the day and week with them. Get them to make the calendar with you, so that you and they know what you do what time of the day. Believe me, it get easier with a little bit of planning. Make sure you have playtime, read time and lunch etc. scheduled in. Of course, make sure your work time is there when you can get your kids to be self-sufficient. Have a look at the download with this episode that you can use as a template.

Get Kids to Help You On Cooking

Make kids to measure things with you. How many ml, dl, teaspoon things are. Kids will lead by doing the measuring and pouring this to the pot and this is a great way to connect with them and get them to help you as well. And Voila, you have done a maths lesson for your kids as well.

Keep Kids Busy With Sports Outside

Hide and seek, tip, treasure hunt, play football with them, whatever it is that gets them moving. Make sure you have exercise scheduled in on your day. You can do this inside if you do not have space to run in a garden.

Doing Arts and Crafts

Having coloring books, stickers, watercolors ready and available at your home. You can again find great resources on the Internet to print out for your kids if you are running out. Get them to paint on fingers only (messy but fun) or using old toothbrush.

How to Keep Kids Busy Sensibly with Internet

How much screen time you give to your kids? Can you use the internet sparingly? Use it educationally? Watch documentaries with them. Or make sure you Facetime with your grandparents or family that you cannot see as you would normally do.

Make sure they get downtime not to do nothing at all where they can do free play and create their own games as well. Hope this is helping you to structure your day more and keeping your kids happy and engaged. Download my Activity Sheet and Schedule Template to help you further with link to resources at Internet.

If you are interested further reading tips with kids try episode 90 How to Have Hyggelig Time with Kids?  or episode 76 Complete Guide to Imperfect Clean Living with Kids

Connect With Me

You can connect with me on the following social platforms.

Facebook: @NordicMumSusanna
Instagram: @thenordicmum
Pinterest:@thenordicmum
Twitter: @NordicMumPodcas

Did You Like What You Heard?

Let me know by giving us a Review on iTunes. I love reading your reviews and I love to share them in our Instagram stories. Just hit the link, select Ratings and Review and Write a Review. We love to bring you more exciting guests and the reviews will help up us to share the scandic love that little bit further. If you have any comment, questions, or just want to chat head out to Instagram or Facebook where I hang out.

Don’t forget to subscribe for a new episode out every Monday.