It’s like Christmas break without the cookies, presents, travel, Grandma, decorations… Woo-bleepin-hoo. At least I was prepared for Christmas break. And by “prepared” I clearly mean “stocked with microbrews, wine, and Kahlua”. (What kind of idiot gives up snacking and libations after supper for Lent? This kind.)
Our state is closing schools starting Wednesday and plans to reopen them April 6. 18-day weekend. I am a stay-at-home mom anyway, so this is not the logistical challenge for our family that it is for others. But the “at home” part of my motherhood is pretty sporadic. We like to go do things. Free/cheap things, sure (mostly haunting our local public libraries), but still things outside our house. It’s March in Wisconsin here, so the weather can’t be counted on for grand outdoor adventures. We will jump at the chance to explore if it presents itself, but in the event that it doesn’t, here’s a list of resources and ideas for the days of cabin fever ahead.
NOTE: We’re all about the mental health over here. These suggestions aren’t about completing a task or following directions; if everyone is alive and time has elapsed at the end of an activity, it was a success even if it didn’t go the way we thought it would.
Learn new songs and rhymes
Jbrary was one of my all-time faves for planning toddler storytime. It’s created by two children’s librarians and they have all kinds of short videos with songs and finger plays. It’s *perfect* for babies and toddlers. If you have an older child who likes to teach, you can ask them to create a story time for their younger sibling, or just learn some of these songs and teach them to the baby.
You can also search your old favorites on Youtube: Raffi, Joanie Bartels, VeggieTales. New artists we like: Laurie Berkner, Caspar Babypants, Kathy Reid.
Creative play ideas
Some of these take more initiative from the kids unless you’re the play-on-the-floor type (I have my days but I would generally prefer they entertain themselves).
Leftover Cafe: Make up a menu for lunch or supper of whatever’s in the fridge, try to get an older child who can write to be the waiter/waitress, and put on your best Southern or Fancy accent. Take the kids’ orders, light some candles (with constant adult supervision!), and have a fun meal together. Tip generously if they do their own dishes.
Movie Theater: Have them select the day’s movie, then create posters advertising it, sell tickets, plan and set up a concession stand, and bring all their stuffed animals. My littles think it’s great fun for about ten minutes, then they start bouncing and can’t be quiet any more and the oldest gets annoyed. But it’s a fun ten minutes.
Fort Building: If you’ve ignored the mess on the dining room floor about as long as you can and today’s the day it must be dealt with, move those chairs to another room, pull out some huge bed sheets and clothespins, and make a fort. (If bedding laundry needs to be done, bonus!) Create a scenario for the kids if they need it (shipwrecked on a desert island / pioneers / knights in a castle) or let them take it where they will.
Bus/Train: An alternative use for kitchen chairs. Line them up like rows in a bus. Let them decide where the bus is going and how to pack. Teach them “Three Cheers for the Bus Driver.” If you didn’t learn “Three Cheers for the Bus Driver,” question your grade school teachers’ credentials. Seriously.
The Floor is Lava: It’s weirdly fun to walk on pillows and cushions. See how far around the house they can get making paths out of things it’s safe to step on. (No library books!)
Naked Couch: If your couch has cushions that come off, help them make forts and castles.
Rearrange: Feng shui ALL THE THINGS. Let the kids help as much as they can.
Clean for the Queen: Pretend the Queen (or the King if Daddy is coming home soon) is coming and clean up for her. If kids are able to handle cleaning without constant supervision, you can be the king or queen. Get as dressed up as you can, help them put on their best once cleaning is done, and have “tea.”
Doll Spa: I only have boys so I’ve never actually done this, but there are lots of doll spa party ideas out there. Some include hair conditioning treatments for Barbies (be careful with expensive dolls like American Girl; their hair requires special care!).
Stick it to the Dress Code: Now’s the time to try the temporary hair and makeup options that might go against school rules! Do the crazy highlites, press-on tattoos, glitter, whatever. (Says the mom of boys who doesn’t own nail polish. Maybe I should get some. I think they’d love that.)
Techie challenges
If you have a closed family or friend Facebook group or a way to communicate digitally with your child’s classmates, take advantage of it! Post videos of songs, dances, reading books, or telling stories. Our school has a parents’ group. We’re hoping to launch a video challenge where each family chooses a nursery rhyme, Bible story, or fairy tale to perform and record. We’ll nominate Plagueies (like Oscars) and vote on our favorites. If our older students want to edit and do special effects, awesome! If younger kids need narration or just want to act out parts of their favorite books, great!
Get Messy! Make Mistakes!
I don’t have the fortitude to do this every day. But sometimes they want to be crafty or scientists. Here are some ideas that are not for the faint of heart or white of carpet.
Sensory bins: Super easy setup, relatively easy cleanup. Put a few inches of water, dry rice, or dry beans in a large cake pan or similar. Give kids spoons, measuring cups, funnels, or other kitchen tools that aren’t sharp or breakable. They LOVE to scoop and pour. If using water, put a few swim towels under the pans. You can also use dry pasta or even cooked spaghetti. *NOTE: a little bit of uncooked rice, beans, or pasta won’t hurt an older baby’s tummy if they’re eating solids already but they can cause an upset tummy if they eat too much. If you’re dealing with a mouthing baby, use a material that is a) not a choking hazard and b) fine for them to eat as much as they want.
Masking Tape / Yarn: My kids love taping things to other things. I seriously gave our oldest a roll of Scotch Tape for his fourth birthday. He loved it. They also love tying things up. Obviously more supervision is needed for yarn as it’s a strangulation hazard.
Be Mr. Freeze: Another weird thing my kids like: breaking their action figures/dinosaurs out of ice. Freeze them in cups of water overnight, then let the kids melt or chisel them out. You can put them in a water sensory bin and squirt warm water on them for a gentler experience, or take them out on the sidewalk and whack them with hammers or screwdrivers for a … less.. gentle… experience. If the latter, make sure they’re not favorite toys.
Library options that don’t involve hanging out AT the library
Many public libraries are also closing to the public. Some are open to staff and still offering curbside pickup. You can call and tell them what you want and when you’ll get it and they’ll bring it to your car. Some will want specific titles; others might be bored enough to create a stack based on your interests. Don’t forget that many libraries also offer movies, board games, and maker kits in addition to books. When you call ahead to ask about curbside service, also ask about how they’re disinfecting returned objects. Covid 19 can’t live forever on surfaces so some libraries are just trusting in a long-enough turnaround. Others are using wipes or sprays as items are returned. You can use these too on plastic-protected books and DVD covers (please don’t wipe regular paper pages!). My personal advice is to skip the board books altogether for now.
There are also digital options if you have internet at home. If your library offers Libby or Hoopla there will probably be links or information on your branch’s website. Alternatively you can call for help if they’re still open. For both services you will need your library card number and a password. The password is usually set up when you get your card. Your friendly librarian should be able to look it up. At our old library it was your last name. Our new one is the last four digits of your phone number. Libby offers a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, and movies. They’re free to download and disappear off your device when they’re “due.” Hoopla has many TV shows and movies; my kids are working their way through Paw Patrol, which isn’t available on Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. Yay free Hoopla! (Our kids call it “Poop-la”. Because boys.)
Miscellaneous resources
Family Fun magazine has always had great indoor activities and crafts.
This blog has really high-quality ideas and plans for learning.
We trust that through all of this God has a plan. We’re a little grumpy when our plans get derailed, but ultimately we hope to make the best of it. Remember that your mental and emotional health matter too! Stay in God’s word, be gentle with yourself (it’s ok if they watch more TV than they would usually! They will live.) and give everyone some extra grace. God bless, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
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