School's Out of Session

Well.  I never thought this would happen.  All of the K-12 schools in our state, as well as many throughout the country, have closed their doors.  It's time to stay in as much as we can to stop the community spread of this damn Coronavirus.  It happened pretty suddenly and I didn't have much time to prepare.  But I want to share with you some of the ideas I have for entertaining my little ones while they will be home.  

But first, do you have a child who struggles without getting out and about?  My daughter Eve, who is 5, starts acting CRAZY if she doesn't leave the house at least once a day.  She starts begging me to go to the store, to a fast food restaurant with a play place, or even just to a friend or family member's house.  She starts whining and will even start crying.  Gwen, who is 7, on the other hand would be perfectly fine staying home all day every day.  She doesn't love getting out of the house as much, though she does have fun once we are out doing something.  But it just takes more effort to get her excited.  

So two girls two VERY different personalities, myself-stay at home mom, my husband-business owner who works from home will all be confined to a 1500 square foot town home for as least the next 3 weeks.     

I did order a few items on Amazon yesterday.  

• Puzzles-  My daughters recently helped out in completing a 500 piece puzzle with some family.  I have never really been a fan of puzzles, and besides the little wooden kids puzzles my kids used to have, I don't have any in my house.  
• Play-Doh-  I HATE this stuff.  Seriously not a fan, at all.  I have purchased so many sets for my daughters over the years.  I always end up throwing it away, but have held on to the sets.  So we have tools and Barbie sets that they will be excited to play with again.
• Books- We have way too many books.  I have no idea why I ordered more, honestly.  But it will be something new and exciting that hopefully keeps them entertained for a couple hours! (fingers crossed)

I do also have a few tricks up my sleeve for things to do indoors or in the yard.  

• American Ninja Warrior- Maybe I'm crazy for even thinking about doing this right now, but it helps so much with getting out some of the endless energy these kids have!  You literally just move furniture and create a small obstacle course in your living room, or anywhere really, for them to run, jump, climb over, crawl under, etc. 
• Crafts- There are SO many good ideas on Pinterest!  (click here to see some ideas)
• Yoga- YouTube has really awesome kids yoga videos.  
• Games- DO you have an overflowing shelf in your closet with games that have been played a hand full of times?  WE DO!  I plan on taking out at least one everyday for the girls to play, or even play with them. 
• Walks and bike rides around the block
• Paper airplane contests

I found a schedule HERE on social media that has been going around that I think is going to be a GREAT resource for helping me keep a schedule.  

The last thing I wanted to mention was the Gratitude Journal I do with my daughters every week day.  It has helped my daughters and myself tremendously with starting our days off feeling positive, hopeful, grateful, and with a daily goal in place to better ourselves and/or to help others.  If you haven't tried it yet, these next few weeks of social distancing would be a great time to start!  

What other things do you have planned for your kids while school is out of session?