After nearly a year in quarantine, many working parents are exhausted after trying to maintain a semblance of order in their homes. Between virtual learning, staying in touch with family and friends, and simply keeping children occupied to give parents a few minutes of rest, screen-time has shown a dramatic increase across the country. To give children (and parents!) a rest from computers and phones, we have assembled a list of creative activities to occupy their attention. Do you see any favorites?
Give One of These Activities a Try!
Create a Project Box
Many of us have racked up our fair share of cardboard boxes throughout the year. Why not use the packaging to your advantage? To start, assemble a collection of washable markers, crayons and pencils, and if your child is old enough, paint and a brush. From there, add coloring books, construction paper, sketchbooks, etc. Several of our arts and crafts ideas can be found here, here, and here. Other items that can be added to the box include puzzles, Legos, Play-doh, and Magna-tiles, which are open-ended toys that encourage STEM learning. Depending on the child’s age, you could set-up a science lab in the corner of the apartment for them to work on.
Set-up a Scavenger Hunt
Even the smallest of New York City apartments can be utilized successfully to keep a child busy. Several printable lists can be found on-line or parents can feel free to create their own.
The Importance of Exercising
Parents can use a break throughout the day from screen-time as well. It is important to step away and walk around the apartment every hour, even for a few minutes. Try to set-up yoga mats in the living room to practice stretching exercises. Your little one is sure to follow suit. 30-minutes can go by in the blink of an eye!
“Pitch-in” with Household Chores
Many of the families we’ve spoken to have said that children, especially their young children, enjoy trying their hand at cleaning. Why not encourage them? Assigning them small, light household tasks from an early age can have long-lasting effects on their development, such as promoting confidence and responsibility in the child. We have an article on our website about how parents can make chores fun for their children.
How the Nanny Authority Can Help
Our agency has highly-qualified, experienced nannies that can provide full-time or part-time care to your family. A placement specialist can be reached at 973-466-2669 or info@nannyauthority.com to share more information about our services. You can also complete a contact us submission form for someone to reach out to you directly.