Parenting can be rewarding and challenging, especially when it comes to keeping children entertained in and around the house. One of the greatest challenges is finding ways to keep young kids occupied at home. Thankfully, there are many activities families can do to unlock potential, foster learning, and foster creativity, from educational crafts to simple games. With some basic materials and imagination, parents can create fun and educational home activities for kids that support their development. All without going anywhere! Here are some great suggestions.
Fun meets educational: 6 home activities for kids
Learning CAN be fun! If you’re not sure how to combine the two, here are some ideas to try, all without leaving the house:
1. Get out the art and crafts
Art is an excellent way to keep children engaged, providing an outlet for self-expression while exploring colors. Crafting can also be enjoyable.
You don’t need any fancy supplies, either. Just paper, tape, markers, and scissors can do. For older kids, it can be fun to have them create something specific, such as a diary or scrapbook!
2. Math worksheets and projects
Math doesn’t need to be boring. Offering children stimulating math worksheets or games can help them acquire new concepts more quickly and with ease.
Parents can give multiplication tables to kids for extra practice or create a scavenger hunt where kids are incentivized to find Math-related items around the house. Or, teach younger children basic counting using coins or toys as objects from around the home.
3. Online learning
The Internet offers children many educational activities. For younger children, sites like learn bright offer educational games for them to enjoy, while for older kids and teenagers, they provide courses that cover math, science, history, and more – including practice quizzes!
YouTube also has lots of instructional videos. The topics range from baking and decorating cakes to learning to code.
4. Outdoor activities too
Playing outside with kids doesn’t only have to mean tag and riding bikes. It can also be an opportunity for learning and exploration. Parents can use their backyard to look out for bugs, plants, and birds to teach children more about the environment.
Set up an obstacle course or hopscotch game if there’s enough grass space nearby. Be sure to make it safe and follow any local regulations.
5. Science experiments for children at home
Science experiments can be an engaging way of exploring our world too. Parents can start simple experiments like creating bubble solutions or mixing food coloring in the water to form beautiful designs.
For older children, experiments are available online, such as Science Bob. Come up with an idea together!
6. Cooking and baking
Cooking and baking can be an ideal way to introduce children to food. Parents can create tasty recipes for kids to help make, such as pizzas or cupcakes.
They’ll learn the essential skills of measuring ingredients, mixing them properly, and following directions precisely. All to ultimately end up with something delicious at the end!
Takeaway on fun, educational home activities with kids
Parents have many ways they can keep their children entertained at home. From art and crafts to math worksheets and projects, online learning activities, outdoor playtime, and science experiments.
All of these ideas can keep kids engaged and expand their knowledge. Of course, what one child likes won’t necessarily be the same as the next, so it might take some trial and error to find activities that yours wants to do. With just a few supplies and some imagination, parents can give their kids an educational experience that will help them achieve their potential.
Hi Christy, these are all lovely activities to do with kids. I did them all except for maths worksheets. Ugh, I never fancied doing maths like that.
Oh Robbie, Math is not my thing either. And I married an accountant lol
I am an accountant and married to one too 😂🤣
🤣 We could totally do a book together about accounting jokes 😭😂
Going to share this with my wife. We are always looking for things to do with our son on rainy days.
Great feedback 🥰 You have two new comments on your guest post too 🙌
Oh wow! Thanks. She is a children’s librarian and always looking for things too.
I’m going to be interviewing Arnessa, who works in librarianship, in the next month or two. Stay tuned!