Indoor Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy
As temperatures cool and you start to think about fall in Buffalo, NY, your kids will be spending more time indoors. If you're worried that they'll drive you crazy, plan ahead and have a “toolbox” filled with ideas for indoor activities to keep your kids busy and out of your hair. Read on for some ideas.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are always an excellent choice for an indoor activity, and they are actually “learning in disguise.” Put together a beginner kit with all kinds of project options. You might research easy paper crafts and fill up a box with colorful paper, glue, markers, and instructions. Teach your kids basic sewing or woodworking skills, or provide them with paints or a weaving loom, or a pottery wheel. They'll boost their creativity and won't be bored at all.
Handy Items
You might pick up a few other helpful items that will allow you to make the most of the upcoming season. A wagon or all-terrain stroller might come in handy if you absolutely must get out of the house for a while. Creative toys like building blocks, a kitchen set, toy cars, or a dollhouse would also be welcome if you have younger children. Be sure to check out reviews and ratings before you purchase anything so that you can provide safe, nontoxic fun for your kids.
Seed Bombs
If your child has a love of gardening, or you want to show them a fun way to plant flowers, making seed bombs is a fun and educational indoor activity. Not only will it introduce them to the world of seed bombs and seed balls, but they can then take what they’ve created and use it in their backyard. Home seed bomb-making kits like SPLERK use eco-friendly, 100% recycled paper to easily create fun, colorful seed bombs. Who knows? Introducing your child to seed bombs could inspire a life-long love of gardening!
Physical Activities
Your kids probably have tons of energy, so provide them with physical activities that will allow them to get up and move. A daily exercise session for the whole family is one good option. You can join your kids for simple stretching, dancing, or balloon ball. Set up scavenger hunts and have your kids search for household items or hidden “treasures.” Have a pillow fight, or play tag. If you have a large enough area, you could even jump rope. Just make sure that your kids have the chance to make good use of their energy several times a day.
This kind of physical activity can also help you and your kids stay sane when you're all home together during the day. You should strive to be comfortable as you're trying to keep up with your kids. Your clothing can help here. For around the house, choose a cozy, soft T-shirt and sweatpants or yoga pants. These will give you flexibility and keep you cool when you're active and help you to relax when, or if, you finally slow down.
Reading Time
Don't forget a tried and true option: books! If you teach your kids to be readers, they'll always have a beloved activity at their fingertips. Provide plenty of picture books for the little ones, level-appropriate chapter books for early readers, and longer novels for older kids. Take the time to read with your kids, too, and discuss what you read. You could also offer coloring books, puzzle books, and workbooks for more variety.
Indoor Time Can Be Fun
Even as the seasons change in Buffalo you don't have to hear a chorus of “I'm bored” from kids forced to stay indoors. Provide arts and crafts, creative toys, games, physical activities, and books to keep kids busy and you sane. For paper craft ideas, check out Papercraft Miracles.
Image via Pexels