activities
Make Art Together
Get started with these printable coloring sheets!
Bringing the Zoo Home
Stuck at home? The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden understands. That is why they have started the Home Safari Facebook Live for some educational fun. Every weekday at 3pm EST a new animal will be the star of the show. Mix it up and join them through Facebook, YouTube, or on their website. Start watching now.
Read Together
Reading aloud with your kids is not only good for their imaginations but is also a great way for you to bond with them! What an easy way to show your love. Everyday share a story with your kids...they can read to you or you can read to them. Can't get enough? Click here to get more fun stories.
Visit a Museum...Online
Good news! The world may be coming to a pause but kids don't have to miss out on history and art. Museums around the world are taking some of their exhibits online. Parents and kids can enjoy exploring from the comfort of their own homes. Check out this link to find out who you can visit today!
Make Art Together
Find items around the house and make art rubbings. You will need paper and crayons/markers/colored pencils, too. Place the item under the paper and use the crayon or pencil to “color” over the textured surface to create an imprint of the object. Magic! Look here for examples.
Explore the World Around You
National Geographic Kids gives your kids (and you!) the chance to explore nature. Check out history, animals, or some cool "brain boosters." There are plenty of games and fun animal features to keep kids entertained and their brains growing. Visit their website here.
Calm Down Bottles
A DIY calm down sensory bottle is most often used to help calm a child when their emotions become overwhelming. A fun project for children ages 4 and up (including adults)! Click here
Serve and Return
According to the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, every time your baby “serves” a cue and you “return” it with an engaging response, new neural connections form. These neural connections build their “brain architecture” and are the foundation for all future development. Visit their website here.
self-care
Keeping Yourself Full
Imagine yourself as a pitcher of water. Each time you are needed by your partner, child, work or anything else, you pour a little bit of water out each time into these things. Soon you find yourself empty! Refill your pitcher by caring for yourself. Each time you exercise self care your pitcher fills little by little and you have more to pour into others.
Remember...self care is not selfish. It is needed! It is for you but also for everyone else around who depends on you. Write down some things you might like to try this week to recharge and pencil them into your day. You are more likely to do it if it is written out.
Here are some ideas to get started:
- Write in a journal. Need helping starting a journal? Click here for some tips from Penzu.
- Draw or paint a picture
- Meditate or pray
- Do some online yoga
- Exercise! Some gyms are streaming workout classes so you can keep up with your health at home. Check your local gyms for more information.
- Go for a walk alone, with the family or with the family pet
- Get some fresh air
- Read! Read! Read!
- Make some fun treats (bake a cake or cookies, make rice crispy treats, cake pops, oreo balls, or more)
- Find some quiet time...step outside your home, wake up early or stay up late
