We are living in a weird time right now. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused the federal government to implement social distancing mandates and now, for most states, stay-at-home orders. Our hearts and prayers are with the healthcare workers who are battling the raging epidemic, and also with employees of essential business that are striving to provide essential services: grocery store employees, daycare professionals, and utility workers to name a few.
The rest of us should be taking the state and federal recommendations seriously. On March 31, 2020, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott issued an Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols for the entire state of Texas. While the language in the Executive Order might be considered too vague, the idea is that us not-essential-at-the-moment individuals should be staying at home, inside, with our entire immediate families (i.e. don’t take your kid to a daycare if you’re not an essential employee), as much as possible. We should limit our trips to stores of any kind by shopping for the week rather than for the day. We can get outside to get physical exercise, but we shouldn’t be spending all day outside walking in the park or the streets. Even outside, we have to maintain physical distance from each other (if you’re still unclear about what social distancing is, keep reading).
If you’re like me, you’ve already been feeling the stress of these recent mandates by our local, state, and federal officials. Unfortunately, the number of reported domestic violence cases is way up right now. That’s not ok. I’ve learned that the best way for parents and kids alike to beat the stress is to engage in something fun and new, preferably together!
Fun Ideas for Kids to Try During the Stay-At-Home Mandate
Most of us aren’t used to the extended time at home. While it can be (and probably will be looked back on as) a fun time, you may already be finding yourself running out of ideas to keep the kids entertained. No playdates? No local pick-up games? No bowling or movies? No trampoline parks? Keeping kiddos busy and safe during this time has never been more important. So here are some general ideas to keep the kids busy, engaged, and, most important, at home:
- Do Schoolwork. My local school district, the Northwest ISD, has stepped up wonderfully in these past few weeks. The teachers and administrators have figured out how to use technology to start teaching my kids again, and so far it’s going really well. Chances are your school district too has already started, or will start, online learning. This is a great way for the kids to keep learning and engage their minds. If your child has questions about an assignment or problematic subject area, most teachers are holding virtual office hours through Zoom. Get familiar with the tech and use it to their (and your) advantage.
- Get Connected. My kids have loved seeing their classmates on Zoom when the teacher hosts a class-wide meeting. In addition to meeting during these times during the teacher, kids can embrace the technology and have virtual playdates. Kids are always surprising adults with their creativity, and using technology for virtual playdates won’t be an exception. Adults can also benefit from “virtual hangouts.” Some of my friends have done church ministering through Zoom. A few others of my friends made a cake, took it to a friend who had a birthday, dropped it off at the door, and then called the friend and had a virtual birthday party! What an awesome idea!
- Family Time. Now is the time to embrace your immediate family. Now is the time to come together and become closer than ever before. Now is the time for kind words, gentle reminders of love, and a strengthening of bonds. So do things as a family. Ride bikes. Go for a walk. Play Uno or Phase 10. Do a puzzle. Play video games. Make up silly lyrics to your favorite songs. Sit in the same room and read a book – either together as a family or individually! But be close. No extended family or friends (because that violates the mandates)—just your family! Have an amazing time!
30 Other Fun, At-Home Activities to Try
If you have any other fun ideas to add to this list, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll keep updating this list with additional ideas!
- Play Read-At-Home Bingo
- Puzzles
- Paint by numbers
- Learn to play simple songs on an old instrument
- Write imaginative stories
- Make Elephant Toothpaste
- Make a vision board
- Learn to write Haikus
- Download Duolingo and learn a new language
- Learn science by baking
- Build an Amazon box for
- Make up your own choreography for a new TikTok
- Virtually visit a world-famous museum like the Louvre or the Brittish Museum
- Backyard (or living room) picnics
- Visit Mars
- Journal what your day is like, what you’re feeling, or what it’s like to practice social distancing
- Play a card game (our favorite is Phase 10)
- Make a homemade pizza (get creative with the toppings)
- Host a paint nigh
- Take a virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park
- Make your own board game
- Interview each other
- Write persuasive, how-to, or opinion essays
- Start or join an online book club
- Listen to kid-friendly podcasts
- Watch for different birds, insects, or animals in your backyard
- Make a video reading to other kids
- Start an indoor garden or terrarium
- Do an online workout class – we love Camp Gladiator!
- Make sidewalk chalk paint, then go outside and paint your sidewalk with pretty pictures or encouraging messages
If you have any other fun ideas to add to this list, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll keep updating this list with additional ideas!
What is Social Distancing, aka Physical Distancing?
Social distancing is a term that describes the act of putting physical space between people. The World Health Organization has changed the name from Social Distancing to Physical Distancing in order to encourage people to stay connected in other ways. We like the new name for this concept and so will promote it here. The goal with Physical Distancing is to keep our bodies far enough apart from each other so that if one person catches COVID-19, there is less of a chance that the virus will move from one person to another. Physical Distancing does the following:
However, Physical Distancing will only work when everyone is striving to practice the concept to the best of their ability. The fight against the coronavirus is on and everyone is involved. From healthcare workers to essential employees to families at home to individuals jogging in a park, we all have to work together by doing our part to end the threat of COVID-19. Physical Distancing is a huge part of that fight for most of us.
Social distancing is a term that describes the act of putting physical space between people. The World Health Organization has changed the name from Social Distancing to Physical Distancing in order to encourage people to stay connected in other ways. We like the new name for this concept and so will promote it here. The goal with Physical Distancing is to keep our bodies far enough apart from each other so that if one person catches COVID-19, there is less of a chance that the virus will move from one person to another. Physical Distancing does the following:
- It reduces the number of people getting sick;
- It stops the virus from spreading; and
- In theory, it could effectively end new infections and end the threat altogether
However, Physical Distancing will only work when everyone is striving to practice the concept to the best of their ability. The fight against the coronavirus is on and everyone is involved. From healthcare workers to essential employees to families at home to individuals jogging in a park, we all have to work together by doing our part to end the threat of COVID-19. Physical Distancing is a huge part of that fight for most of us.
With Jeff Brown, You’re Never Alone
I, Jeff Brown, am here—at home—working tirelessly for my clients. I know that in this period of uncertainty, it is important to have some things be constant. I am accepting new clients for estate planning matters and in criminal matters. Please know that I am concerned for your well-being and safety and am here to answer any questions you have or help with your needs. You can call me 24/7. If needed, I am more than happy to meet with you through Zoom meetings. Together, we can get through this time and move forward to a bright and happy future.
I, Jeff Brown, am here—at home—working tirelessly for my clients. I know that in this period of uncertainty, it is important to have some things be constant. I am accepting new clients for estate planning matters and in criminal matters. Please know that I am concerned for your well-being and safety and am here to answer any questions you have or help with your needs. You can call me 24/7. If needed, I am more than happy to meet with you through Zoom meetings. Together, we can get through this time and move forward to a bright and happy future.