10 Ways to Keep Kids Busy at Home

1. An obstacle course is a versatile and potentially cheap way to keep kids of all ages occupied.  It can be modified for different skill levels, promotes gross motor skills, and can be indoors and outdoors.

2. Bubbles delight kids of all ages.  Even an infant, can practice tracking as he follows them with his eyes.  Trying to catch bubbles promotes hand-eye coordination and exercise of the pincer grasp.  Bubbles can be created with everyday items in a multitude of ways and are a great avenue for experimentation.  For instance, bubbles can not only be be tiny or gigantic, but even scented!

3. Making puppets encourages creativity and builds fine motor skills.  Kids can then use the puppets for storytelling, which boosts language and can be a way to facilitate social skills learning.

 


4. Make a blanket fort.  Yes, this is what you used to do as a kid, and yes, it is still fun!  Forts are adventurous and provide a quiet space for reading, playing, and resting.  The best part - you already have everything you need right at home!

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5. Keeping the balloon (or balloons!) in the air is just plain fun!  It also encourages hand-eye coordination and can be a super team-building activity.  As simple as blowing up one balloon or as complex as creating "racquets" or using a sheet or parachute, balloons are enticing to toddlers and reluctant teens alike.  (Make sure any broken pieces are thrown away!)

6. "Free art" is simply setting out art supplies and letting kids make whatever they want.  Many kids don't like preplanned crafts, and even those who do appreciate time to invent and draw.  This is a great activity to do with your kids and works best when you resist the urge to "help" - unless a meltdown is imminent, of course!  

 

 

7.  Hide-and-Seek is a classic, sure to bring out the giggles in its participants.  Played individually or in pairs, it offers a good opportunity to practice helping, problem-solving, and self-control.  

8.  Playing “store” or “restaurant” might require some imagination, but it is a well-loved pastime that is adaptable to different skill levels and attention spans.  From cooking and a specially designed menu to following the random instructions of a 2 year old, creativity is the goal at play. 

           

9. Freeze dance uses the power of music and movement to foster expression, confidence, and good listening skills.  It can even be done in the car to distract kids from the inevitable bickering!

                                                             

10. Follow the leader can be done anywhere, anytime, and allows for confidence building and leadership development, creativity, and practice taking turns.  It is a great distraction method to help kids refocus.

                                             

Discovery Cove

Since Justin is in Ireland and this isn't his thing, we took the opportunity to take the girls to Discovery Cove.  What a fun day!  Surprisingly, the dolphin encounter wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.  We even all kissed her! 

My cough was still lingering, and I am a total chicken, so I skipped the snorkel and mask, but enjoyed the Grand Reef from the shallow water.  Even the big stingray came up close!  The girls loved the snorkels and used them in the (nice and warm!) Wind-Away River with Steve.  After one trip around, I opted for a life jacket so I could just float. 

The aviary was so cool with lots of different species of birds and plenty of food to offer them.  We saw the marmosets in the Freshwater Oasis, but the otters were in hiding.  It, too, was wonderfully warm! 

The food, the experiences, everything included....we loved it!