In most cases when the school calls for a SNOW DAY, that just means an extra day for the kids to do some sledding, snowboarding and/ or skiing. But not this time around. This time we are strongly advised not to leave the house. Not to expose our skin to these brutal negative temperatures and FOR TWO STRAIGHT DAYS! #goodtimes
So what do we do with kids who have the energy of a hurricane?
We keep them occupied and entertained. At least for some of the time.
Here is a list of ideas of what you and/ or your kids can do to break the electronics cycle that is about to commence.
1. Ask the teacher for homework
Email your teachers asap and ask them if there is anything they would recommend for the kids to work on while out of school. There are several websites or apps that they can access from home and practice math, reading, keyboarding and more.
2. Print some age appropriate worksheets
I found this website [www.k5learning.com] for grades K-5, where you can print hundreds of free worksheets, per grade. This kept my kids occupied for hours. From writing, to reading to math facts and more. Take a look and print some fun sheets for the kids to practice and keep up with school work.
3. Science experiment
Let’s make rain clouds.
You will need shaving cream (foam not gel), a jar, water, and food coloring.
- Fill the jar with water. Almost to the top. Leave a little room.
- Add a “cloud” of shaving cream.
- Let your kids drop food coloring into the cloud until the color starts “raining” into the water through the “cloud/ shaving cream.”
- Explanations: this is how rain works. The water collects in the clouds until there is too much, and then it leaks through, forming rain.
For another fun experiment, visit http://www.sciencebob.com/blobs-in-a-bottle-2/
4. Read or do puzzles
Let the kids read on their own but assign a project or make it a game. For example, read 4 chapters and draw a pic about it. Read 20 pages and write about it in 2 paragraphs.
A fan favorite – for every chapter you read, you get 10 minutes of electronics.
If the kids are little, read with them or to them.
Puzzles are always a fun way to break boredom. Especially these Highlights photo puzzles. It is fun for adults and kids alike. But good old fashion puzzles work just as well.
5. Watch a movie alone or together
This is always a go-to for us but because it doesn’t last long, we try to make it as fun as possible. Popcorn, candy, blankets and all. Entertainment at its finest!
6. Organize
This is a perfect opportunity to clean those closets, toy bins and kids rooms. It will also keep everyone moving and warm.
We did exactly that. The kids helped with clearing the toys, I rearranged one of the kids rooms, and now onto the closets!
7. Games
We have a handful of games that we can play over and over again. Some of them include UNO, Jenga, Pop the pig, Scrabble, etc. But one game that we absolutely love playing as a family and it is so much fun: Heads App! Download the app immediately and just have a blast. You will play it any chance you get. Trust me.
9. Prep a lunch together and have a picnic
Why not?! Grab your favorites, make a lunch and have a picnic on your living room floor. Hang out with your fam bam. Take the time to talk and ask each other questions. Review your emergency plan. Play 20 questions. Have fun.
10. Exercise
Kids need to move and I find that the best way to get their jitters out is exercise. Look up FREE kids yoga or workouts on your TV and jump right in. If you don’t have streaming services, check YouTube! If that isn’t an option either, here are a few exercises you can all do together and warm up but also get the kids moving!
- 20 jumping jacks
- 20 sit ups
- 10 push ups
- 10 squats
- 20 second plank
- 30 second run in place
…and repeat 3 times or for as long as they/ you can!
When all else fails – let them play video games, watch YouTube and play on their phones. Snow days don’t happen often. Enjoy it.
x, Dijana