Hey Mama! Recent trends are showing that we might be spending a little more time at home. Whether you are self restricting travel, spring break is on, or you just need some “rainy day” activities, we’ve got you covered. Check out our ideas below for the ultimate list of activities for your kids while you are stuck at home, along with resources for you as a parent.
Kids of all ages can participate in a game and it’s one of our favorite activities for your kids. We’ve rounded up our top three for each age group that you can get right now. These games are good to have all year round, and they will likely bring you many fun memories to pass!
Toddlers
Lucky Duck | If you haven’t already seen this matching game, it’s a must-have for your toddlers! Help them learn shapes and how to match them up with these ducks!
Let’s Go Fishing | It’s a race to see who can catch the most fish! Perfect for toddler hands to learn coordination in this fun fishy game.
Don’t Break the Ice | A classic that will help with coordination and fine motor movements. Have some fun trying to not break the ice!
School Aged
Guess Who | Another classic that your kids are sure to love. It’s a game that requires some thinking power, and your kids can play together or against you!
Candy Land | This one is sure to bring a little bit of nostalgia as you race to the end!
Connect 4 | The rules are simple and the game can be played again and again since it’s a quick one!
High School
Uno | The cards are all dealt out just make sure you don’t forget to say Uno!
Charades | This one requires no physical game, just a little prep!
Sequence | Sequence will require some strategy from you and your kids, but a bonus is it can be played with just two players.
Adult Kids
Suddenly found your college-aged child back at home? We’ve got you covered!
Euchre | A Michigan favorite and all you need is a deck of cards, which you most likely already have on hand. Check the rules here.
Dominoes | Read the rules for Train and get your family playing in a game that will definitely kill some time!
Catan | This won’t be a quick one but if you’re looking to spend an hour or two playing a game of serious strategy, this is the one for you!
We know we don’t want to just hand our kids a device but there’s also a time and place for breaking up the day. If your kids are school age, they most likely are using technology in the classroom already, so don’t feel guilty about replacing that time!
Toddlers
Peekaboo Barn | Fun for your little ones to be surprised by animals, along with learning animal names and sounds!
Amazing Shapes Puzzle | Help your little ones learn their shapes with this interactive puzzle game.
ABC Kids Tracing & Phonics | This app will help your toddler learn phonics and complete letter tracing in a fun way!
School Aged
YouTube Kids | If you don’t already have this one downloaded, it definitely tops our list for all ages.
Stop Breathe & Think | Help your kids take a pause and time to reflect with this app, designed with kids in mind.
Elevate | With brain training games, this is an app that will keep your kids busy and thinking all day long!
High School
TED Talks | We love a good TED Talk, and as a former high school teacher, there is so much on this app for your kids to be learning. We definitely recommend a download.
QuizUp | This online trivia will hopefully get your teens to snap out of TikTok for a minute and engage with something fun and educational! It’s a definite boredom buster.
iMovie | Have a creative at home or need to pass the time more effectively? Have your teens download iMovie and get creating.
Activities for kids can come in many different forms and sometimes that form is simply listening! Podcasts are a great way to pass the time.
Toddlers
But Why | A Podcast for Curious Kids. If you’ve got a toddler who utilizes why as their main word of choice, then this one is for you!
Ear Snacks | A musical podcast created for kids to teach them all about the world.
Story Time | It’s really an app for bedtime, but if you need a moment of peace, this app has got you covered with audiobooks!
School Aged
Smash, Boom, Best | A podcast that takes two things and then debates which is best. Dive in and help your kids learn how to create and support an opinion with facts!
KidNuz | News coverage made for kids to help them stay up to date!
Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl | Need some music? This is something that both you and the kids will enjoy.
High School
This American Life | Big topics broken down for you and your kids to listen and discuss.
Stuff You Missed in History Class | Maybe your high schooler thinks history is boring, or maybe they love it. This app is good for either opinion!
How To Do Everything | Your kids probably think they know how to do everything…this one will make sure of it!
Nothing can pass the time like a good book! Check out our recommendations below for all ages and hit up the library, pull them from your shelf, or order them.
Toddlers
There are a MILLION books you could find for your toddlers but since spring is upon us, we’ll give you our top picks to get excited for the season while stuck inside!
Corduroy’s Easter Lift-the-Flap | Our kids love lift-the-flap books and since Easter is right around the corner this is the perfect book to get them excited!
The Tale of Peter Rabbit | A classic book to share with your toddlers, and the second movie is due out in April.
We’re Going on an Egg Hunt | The perfect book to welcome Easter with a fun plot for your little ones.
Spring is Here! | A fun picture book to bring in spring and watch winter change into life.
The Spring Visitors | Follow a family of bears as they avoid human discovery in a cottage.
School Aged
Me, Frida | We love this edition about feeling lonely and how Frida makes her way.
The Velveteen Rabbit | We love this magical story about The Velveteen Rabbit, perfect for your bunny lovers.
Harry Potter Series | If your kids haven’t already read this series it’s one that will keep them busy no matter how long you are stuck inside.
Pete the Cat Series | Pete pretty much has a book for everything! Bonus: he’s also on Amazon Prime as a TV series, and he has a website where you can listen to his fun songs. Pete the Cat is definitely one cool dude.
Wonder | If your kids haven’t read this one yet, it’s one they won’t be able to put down. They will be able to relate to the book and gain a perspective on acceptance and empathy.
High School
The Hunger Games | Another series that your kids will invest some time in. Bonus: once they’re done you can move on to the movies!
The Book Thief | Set in Nazi Germany, it’s a story that will captivate your kids and bring history to a new light. It’s one you can discuss as a family that will engage you all.
I am Malala | A story of bravery while standing up for what is right, this book will be inspiring for your kids and help them gain an insight into the world beyond their doorstep.
1984 | One of our favorite classics, your high schooler will get lost in this totalitarian world.
For more recommendations check here
Reading not your thing? Check out these sources to listen to audio books instead!
We love a good snuggle up on the couch but it seems like we repeat the same movies OVER and OVER again. We’re recommending that you hit up this list for a few alternatives to regularly scheduled programming, in addition to activities for your kids.
G Rating
Monsters Inc.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Babe
101 Dalmatians
The Sound of Music
PG Rating
Coco
Harry Potter Series
The Sandlot
The Lego Movie
James and the Giant Peach
PG13 Rating
The Avengers
Iron Man
Pirates of the Caribbean
Star Wars
Saving Mr. Banks
We love a good snuggle up on the couch but it seems like we repeat the same movies OVER and OVER again so we’re recommending that you hit up this list for a few alternatives to regularly scheduled programming!
G Rating
Monster’s Inc.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Babe
101 Dalmatians
The Sound of Music
PG Rating
Coco
Harry Potter series
The Sandlot
The Lego Movie
James and the Giant Peach
PG13 Rating
The Avengers
Iron Man
Pirates of the Caribbean
Star Wars
Saving Mr. Banks
School is out and we’re practicing social distancing, but also we don’t want to be stuck inside. Nature is the best cure for cabin fever, and makes the top of our list for activities for your kids. As long as you are following up-to-date guidelines, here are a few trails you can head to!
Fenner Nature Center– Parks and trails are open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk.
Lake Lansing Trail North– Parks and trails are open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk.
Meridian Township Trails– They offer a variety of trails so be sure to check here to see all current information.
Hawk Island Park Trails– Parks and trails are open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk.
It’s been a few days and you’ve exhausted this list of activities for your kids? Check out a few more options of things to do!
Build a Fort
Painting
Play Dough Building or homemade.
Head out in your own backyard for a scavenger hunt.
The Ultimate List of Rainy Day Activities
Head to our Pinterest for more ideas!
Our Sister Site Omaha Moms has compiled another ULTIMATE LIST. Check it out here.
City Mom Collective has also compiled an ULTIMATE LIST. Check it out here.
Activities for your kids are great, but maybe you’re still feeling nervous.
Moms are the best at doing what’s right for their family. We recommend you keep up to date with verified source guidelines. Here are a few sources to do that. Remember, you have an amazing community of mamas here, and Lansing Mom is here to support you, too!
Keeping Your Family Healthy and Immune Building Tips Amidst COVID-19
Dispatches from Northern Italy: How to Survive A Coronavirus Quarantine with Kids
Coronavirus and Spring Break Travel
How to Talk to Your Kids about COVID-19 so They Won’t Worry
The CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Michigan’s Information on Coronavirus
Need some ideas on what to feed your kids while they’re home? Check out these ideas here.
