Staying Sane During Quarantine – Part I: Fun Physical Activities

Photo credit: Jessica Farris

The last few weeks have flipped the world upside down. Jobs have stopped. Events have been postponed. People are working from home. Parents are trying to figure out how the heck to teach their children common core math.

Whatever the struggle may be, there’s one thing many can agree on: people are coming together to support one another through social media. Educators are putting together virtual videos and artists are doing virtual classes. On top of that, parents are creating new social media platforms and websites specifically to help other parents who may be going a bit mad.

This support is something we’ve been hoping to see on social media for years.

Parents are human and can only think up new, creative activities for so long before their brain explodes. Therefore, some moms put their creative energy out there for other moms to use. Below are a few creative activities to try at home to keep your little ones physical and moving so the parents don’t lose their minds.

Painter’s Tape Obstacle Course

Photo and activity credit: Jessica Farris

Supplies:

• Hard floor
• Blue painter’s tape
• Construction paper

Instructions:

• Clear a space on the hard floor and use the tape to create any of the following ideas:
  • Lines to walk on, jump to, or zigzag on
  • Add shapes to do different activities at: ten squats on the square, ten jumping jacks on the triangle, and so on.
  • Add cut-out handprints and footprints to follow
  • When children are bored with the physical movement, they can use the course to drive cars on.

Laundry Basket Skee Ball

Photo and activity credit: Leah Gemmati

Supplies:

• Empty laundry baskets (this will be the hardest part…)
• Construction paper and marker
• Cardboard box cut and bent to create a ramp
• Plastic or foam balls

Instructions:

• Have your children practice taking turns as they roll the ball up the ramp and try to get “points.”
• They can practice their math skills by keeping track of their points and adding them up on a paper.
• The more baskets available, the more opportunities for higher points.

Cosmic Yoga

Photo and activity credit: Jessica Farris

Supplies/Instructions:

• To add a little pizzazz to this activity, you can use yoga mats, bright colored blankets, or foam mats
• Watch the YouTube channel on a laptop, tablet, or on the television
• Cosmic Yoga YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Quote from Jessica: “I’ve only used it a couple of times. But it’s a very relaxing yoga for kids, but it keeps them engaged and entertained while doing different storylines. From Three Little Pigs, Pokémon, and Inner Ninja.”

Painter’s Tape Indoor Hopscotch

Photo and activity credit: Leah Gemmati

Supplies:

• Painter’s tape (solves everything, it seems)
• Hard floor and an open space

Instructions:

• Similar to the obstacle course, use the tape to outline a hopscotch.
• Use some small beanbags or, to add to the activity, paint small rocks a few days earlier and use those during the game.

 

Biography

 Jennifer Aline is a coffee addict, mama of twins, and a passionate freelance writer and author. She writes for Moms.com on a regular basis and has had articles in publications such as the NY Daily News, NY Post, and In Good Health Newspaper. Aline received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Studies from Keuka College and worked in the Human Services field before her two little girls entered her life. Aline now focuses primarily on writing, teaching aerial arts classes in the evenings, and caring for her twin daughters – all while continuously chugging coffee, of course.

Social Media:

Instagram: the.write.mom

Facebook: Momhood Mayhem