"Mom, I'm Bored!"- New Links Added!

Have you been hearing those three little words recently? It's one of those phrases I am determined to hear only a handful of times as my kiddo grows. Crazy enough, it's working! I always have ideas filed away in the brain box should she dare come and tell me, "Mom, I'm bored!" If worst comes to worst (and she doesn't like any of my ideas), I tell her she can go help me clean the sink, do some laundry, or dust. Then she runs away in the other direction pretty quickly to find something to occupy herself. 
It's important that I have ideas that either require her to spend time alone, or activities I can join in on. It usually ends up with me offering her a solo activity with the promise that we can do something together when I've finished working, cooking, whatever. I call it the curse of the only child.
If you're looking for ideas for your children without your help, try these!:

• Yoga- there are free yoga videos just for kids online! Stream it to your TV
• Ask your child to build a specific item with lego (or draw a picture if you don't have lego)
  -examples can be a tower, a bridge, hair salon, etc. You can also have them re-create a scene out of their favorite book.
• Have them start a bullet journal, or a scrapbook of memories. Now is a wonderful opportunity to have them start a daily log showing how stay-at-home time was spent!
• Make screen time beneficial to learning
  -There are a ton of free sites and apps that offer fun learning tools with games!
• Write their own story, then illustrate it!
• Nature Scavenger Hunt: Have your child make a list or find one online!

If you're looking for ideas for your children that they can do by themselves or with you, try these!:

• Build a blanket fort
  -My sister and I always managed on our own, but it was So Fun when a parent stepped in and made it bigger than we could imagine!
• Play-Dough! Need I say more?
• A puppet show
  -Use paper bags, socks or even stuffed animals. Have them practice and then put on a show for you!
• Dance party!
  -Take turns picking out songs. Bonus: Choreograph a dance together.

If you're looking for ideas that require your help, try these!:

• Have you or your child start drawing a picture and then hand it off to be expanded on! Keep adding to the drawing. It can be a lot of fun the more creative you get.
• Have your child set up a sheet with questions they've always wanted to know about you, then switch!
• Make a craft
  -Grab the popsicle sticks, glue, beads and go make something!
• Try coming up with an invention together
  -Have them come up with an idea, and try and make it together!
• Let your child help you with meals, and let her set the table.
• Virtual Tours are now online for many places, including Yellowstone National Park, Museums, Tour with Curiosity Rover on Mars, San Diego Zoo, this Canadian Farm, Ride a virtual roller coaster!, Take a tour of Carlsbad Caverns, and more. 
• Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip.
• 'Get your Brick on!' Free Lego activities and printables

More Ideas! Just click on the link:

Indoor Activities for busy toddlers
Play games and learn all about animals.

Play with favorite show characters and learn too!

Camp Lakeside - VIRTUAL CAMP

Do you have more ideas to share? E-mail kyvzatwood@gmail.com and I'll put it on the list! 

Enjoy the family time, friends! ~Chelsea K

(Photo Credit: Courtney Kinnett)