Being a parent is exceedingly difficult right now. In the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people are concerned about keeping their families and communities healthy. On top of that, parents are either working from home with little ones underfoot or still going to work and having to find care and activities for kids at home.
First, take a deep breath. You are doing great, and we’re going to get through this.
Second, know that Primrose School of Urbandale is here for you. What you need as a parent is some help entertaining and educating your children. But, with so much information on the internet, it can be hard to know where to go.
4 Fun Activities for Kids at Home
Below are compiled resources, livestreams, videos, and other online activities for kids at home. They will help you pass the time and give your child something wholesome and healthy to do.
Reading
Children’s books read by the author: Children’s author Julia Cook is “bookending” the school week by reading one of her books and sharing a social development lesson every Monday and Friday at 10 a.m. EST on her Facebook page.
Storytime with a familiar voice: Josh Gad, who voices the character Olaf from “Frozen,” reads books nightly live on his Twitter feed. So far, #GadBookClub has covered “The Giving Tree,” “The Day the Crayons Quit,” and other favorites.
Movement
Dance parties: A favorite of teachers for indoor recess, the free GoNoodle app encourages children to get moving with guided dances to songs like “Banana Banana Meatball” and “A Moose-Ta-Cha.”
Exercises for little ones: Exercise is a great way to get the energy out when children are spending a lot of time inside. Try these simple — and tiring! — activities for infants, toddlers, pre-kindergartners, and kindergartners.
Crafts, Cooking, and Creativity
Museum-worthy crafts: Chicago Children’s Museum Recipes for Play at Home provides the blueprint for fun creations and activities for children of all ages, using items you might have at home already (e.g., Cardboard Robots and Sensory Surprise boxes).
Tasty and fun snacks: Stocked up on food and ingredients? Choose from a variety of nutritionist-created “snacktivities,” such as Watermelon Smoothies and Healthy S’mores (a great backyard activity).
Animals, Nature and Science
Animals at the zoo: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Home Safari Facebook Lives (weekdays at 3 p.m. EST) feature an animal each day, like Fiona the hippo, and a related activity that children can do at home.
STEM crafts from NASA: NASA has a page featuring 25 crafts, puzzles, experiments, and games that teach children in kindergarten through fourth-grade science, technology, engineering, and math in an entertaining way.
Nature memory games: Children can keep exercising their brains with memory games from National Geographic Kids featuring bugs, birds, cats, and arctic animals. Choose from easy, medium, and hard.
Finally, remember that you and your children are both doing your best to get through this trying time. Hang in there — you’ve got this!
About Primrose School of Urbandale
Primrose School of Urbandale is thrilled to be opening up as the second location in Iowa. With the franchise owner’s own experience as parents and one as a teacher, they understand the need for quality care and an environment that nurtures a child’s growth. Primrose School of Urbandale is excited and looking forward to bringing the Primrose promise to develop active minds, healthy bodies, and happy hearts for all children.
Connect with Primrose School
12001 Hickman Road
Urbandale, IA 50323
515-201-5636
