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Children and lockdown

All their friends are in lockdown too. Football fields are out of bounds, the homework’s done, and you’ve run out of ideas for making things. Boredom strikes!

 

1. Experiment with something different each day to deal with bored kids

Variety is the spice of life, even when you’re in lockdown with kids! Try to do something a little bit differently every day just to keep things fresh to avoid bored kids. It doesn’t need to be anything major – you’re probably restricted in what you can do anyway – but just shake things up in little ways where you can.

Mealtimes are a great opportunity to do this. Get everyone together for a special pancake breakfast or set the table up fancy for a formal dinner at night.

 

2. Mix up your meals to deal with bored kids

Think about what you do in your daily routine, but make it more fun. Doing the household chores together? Crank up the tunes and dance around while you vacuum. Getting ready for bed? Make it a race to see who can be in their pajamas with teeth brushed first. If you always wanted to do science experiments at home with the kids but never seem to find the time, now is the perfect opportunity to try some! Little things like this will help to deal with the monotony of staying home and reduce the chances of your kids getting bored.

 

3. Get your game on!

A bit of friendly rivalry amongst family members is a great way to alleviate boredom. Whether it’s a game of frisbee in the backyard, a challenge on the PlayStation or a quick game of Monopoly Deal that lasts for hours, games are a great way to fill in the day. Strategy, problem-solving and teamwork are all skills that come with game play and a bit of healthy competition is good for us all. Choose a board game that’s suitable for your kids and game on!

 

4. Keep in touch

Even during lockdown, it is important kids stay in contact with friends and family. Maintaining relationships is important, especially for children who are still developing their social skills. It’s also a great way to avoid boredom, so encourage them to stay in touch however they can!

These days there are so many ways to keep connected, whether it’s with regular phone calls, a video chat or an email to their friends from school. Keeping social ties strong will not only prevent feelings of isolation now (and reduce the chances of bored kids), it will make it easier to resume normal life down the track!

 

5. Look for boredom buster ideas online

If you’ve exhausted all your ideas for ways to keep your kids busy, don’t despair. Parents across the world are going through the same thing you are and they’ve put their best ideas online. A quick search of the internet will give you all the inspiration you need to keep your kids busy.

 

6. Bored kids is ok sometimes

It’s okay for kids to feel bored. In fact, it’s a good thing. Boredom breeds creativity, so let kids come up with their own ways to fill in the time. Having nothing to do is the perfect time to try new things, get inventive and experiment. That’s when they’ll invent a new game. You don’t need to entertain children all the time.

 

Remember that feeling bored is normal. Kids have had a major change to their daily lives and having to stay at home will take some getting used to. Be patient where you can, but go easy on yourself too. 

Lockdown is not easy for any of us, so don’t feel pressured to engage your kids in healthy, educational activities all day long. Avoid boredom where you can, but don’t feel bad if your kids are having a bit more screen time than usual. What’s important is that we all remain safe and healthy and ready to get back to our normal lives when the time comes.