10 Educational Activities To Do During Lockdown Or Quarantine

If you are stuck in lockdown 5.0 and getting a bit fed up and bored with entertaining the kids, I have some fab ideas to help keep them busy..

Let’s face it we are all struggling with the fact that we are supposed to just happily pop on the ‘teacher’s hat’ and magically know what we are doing all of a sudden.

And what do we do when the kids finish their schoolwork early or clock off at 3pm and there is still a HUGE chunk of the day left that we need to keep them occupied???

Often with no personal space to keep the kids apart (and prevent fighting), and then toss in bored kids with cabin fever, parents are at a total loss to keep everyone sane.

I’ve made a list of activities to do that are fun AND educational…

This will definitely keep the kids busy during lockdown!

Coding

Lockdown is a perfect time to get the kids to try coding! I found this awesome platform called BYJU’S FutureSchool, it is a great program, and super easy to sign up for. It offers 1:1 online classes that teach them the fundamentals of coding through interactive learning tools. Scroll down and check out the FREE trial offer below.

No need to feel guilty if the kids take a break and start playing on their computer with this fun activity. They could even build their own game!

They will actually be learning HEAPS while they play around. Even the Department of Education and Training agrees that a basic knowledge of coding can be helpful for variety of different career paths.

“While learning to code at the primary school level, children are encouraged to think critically and strategically to solve problems—often using very simple puzzles like getting an onscreen character to move around a maze.”

Check out our helpful info here on – Why Coding Is Important and How Children Can Have Fun With It

Messy Art

Get out the paints and paintbrushes and let the kids loose with their creativity. It is amazing what kids can learn through art and messy play.

You could even set them up in the backyard with drop sheets and let them get really expressive.  Splash art is great fun.

The early childhood development association explains that messy play helps your child’s learning process. It promotes engagement with the senses.

It also encourages:

• Physical development
• Language development
• Creative development
• Emotional development
• Social development
• Mathematical development

Board Games, Puzzles or Digital Games

Board games and puzzles are great for reducing screen time for kids of all ages and can help with family bonding.

Yahtzee, Monopoly, Scrabble and Chess are all great educational games.

If you want to really challenge them, get the kids to create their own board games. See what fab new game inventions they can come up with. Creating a digital game would be even better!

This is where BYJU’S FutureSchool coding skills work wonders. Kids can create their own game and set a challenge for mum and dad to try and win!

Yoga

Yoga is a great calming tool. It teaches kids about flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness.

It also helps improve concentration and a sense of calmness and relaxation. Which we all need help with during lockdown!

Jump online and find a Yoga class to suit the whole family. Taking some quiet time together to learn a new relaxation exercise is a perfect family activity.

Cook-a-thon

By measuring and weighing ingredients kids are greatly improving their math skills.

Get creative and invent some new tasty treats.

Use online apps for recipe inspiration, just enter the ingredients you have and see what suitable recipes pop up.  This also helps children work on their spelling by searching for different items.

Even younger children can help out and be the ‘kitchen assistant’ passing ingredients and measuring cups, grating cheese, peeling potatoes and setting the table. 

Read-a-thon

Have a little competition and see who can read the most books (or pages!) in a certain amount of time.

Whoever reads the most gets a little reward and can set the next challenge.

Host a Spelling Bee

Get the whole family together (remember to adhere to lockdown restrictions) and host a Spelling Bee. There are loads of different online apps you can use. Discover who is the smartest in your family and let them own the crown until the next big play off.

Online trivia, debates and pop quizzes

Following on from the Spelling Bee, why not host an online trivia session. Include some debating topics and pop quizzes to really get the kids researching certain topics.

Science experiments

Nothing beats getting out the science kit and performing a few different experiments.

The volcano is one of my all time favourites.

You will need:

• 100ml of Vinegar
• 4 Tablespoons of bicarbonate soda mixed with 150ml of water
• 150ml detergent
• A few drops of orange or red food colouring
• 500ml container

Mix the detergent, red food colouring and vinegar in the 500 ml container. Mix the bicarbonate soda and water into a glass and stir. Add the bicarbonate soda and water mixture into the container; with your detergent, food colouring and vinegar mixture. Watch the reaction!

Robotics

Robotics is so much fun and even LEGO have some cool products you can code these days. Coding a robot or Sphero ball is so much fun! You can make them do all sorts of tricks if you know what demands to give.

Find out more HERE and book your free  trial coding class with BYJU’S FutureSchool

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