How to Turn Stuck at Home into FUN at Home
Are you having a party?
Running into Target this week felt like taking a risk, but I did it anyway. I'm always cautious during flu season, but with so much in the media right now about the coronavirus outbreak, I didn't know what to expect. Thankfully, I didn't see anyone panicking or buying up all of the toilet paper and bottled water like I've seen on the news, but I did see something I'll never forget.
The little girl and her mom in the checkout line front of me were buying a bright red party dress along with a few other non-essentials and kid treats. They were smiling at each other, clearly having a good time, and the little girl looked at me and my two tall teenage boys and said, "That's my new party dress."
So of course, I asked, "Are you having a party?"
Her mom's reply came immediately, leaving an impact on me that lingers even now: "Every day at home is a party for us."
She went on to tell me about how they love to watch musicals and movies together so that her daughter can twirl around in her party dress, how they put out some snacks and make it into a party - just the two of them.
My heart was bursting. I wanted to scream out, "Oh my goodness - you're rocking it, mama! I think I'll go home and have a regular everyday kind of party with my kids too." I'm pretty sure she would have thought that was bonkers, though, so I just smiled a big goofy smile and stammered out something about how that was such a great idea.
But I couldn't forget it.
And now, as I hear about so many families who will be stuck at home for the next few weeks with school canceled and work being done from home (and even homeschooling families not able to get out to our gatherings like we normally do), I can't help but think,
What if we turned stuck at home into some FUN at home no matter the age of our kiddos?
That would be a family togetherness boost for sure.
There are challenges, I know - challenges us homeschooling mamas know all too well, but we can have some real fun and build deep connection while we're all stuck at home if we look for it.
Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
Stargazing
Making something together (arts, crafts, cakes, pies, a mess - whatever)
Read-alouds and audiobooks (no matter your kids’ ages)
Having long, luxurious breakfasts (or lunches)
Letting kids be bored
Playing a game (or 2 or 5)
Cleaning out the toy box
Having a "be" day
Cooking together
Movie nights
Here are some ideas from other mamas:
Free audiobooks from Audible
130 Free Outdoor Learning Activities for Kids Unexpectedly Stuck at Home from Outdoor Families Magazine
a podcast for kids with an intro about the coronavirus from Wow in the World
a podcast for mamas about keeping family the center of everything right now from the Homeschool Sisters
Homeschooling Through a Stressful Time from Kara Anderson
2020 Gameschooling Challenge (daily prompts) from Cait Curley
10 Creative Ideas That Promote Learning from Mary Wilson
10 Super Easy At-Home Learning Ideas for Parents from Cait Curley
Homeschool High 5 Guide from Homeschool Unrefined
Temporary Homeschool Solutions from Jamie Gaddy
12 Indoor Activities for Kids from iMom
Stuck at Home Booklists to Make You Smile from Cait Curley
How to Easily Begin If You're Suddenly Homeschooling because of the Coronavirus from Alicia Hutcheson
Learning with Games from Cait Curley
Find Your Next Read-Aloud Quiz from Sarah Mackenzie
How to Create a Super Simple Homeschool Routine from Cait Curley
Create Your Own Unit Study from Courtney Newman
& Here’s some help for learning and doing school at home:
The 3-Step Strategy for Successfully Homeschooling Any Subject
A Day in the Life: Desire-Led Worldschooling with 12 and 14-year-old boys (while working from home)
Do you have a way to make time at home with your kiddos extra fun?
Come on over to the email group and join the discussion - I'd love to hear about it!