Goodbye Screen Time, Hello Quality Time During Quarantine
During quarantine, new technologies, social media, digital platforms, and electronic devices offer all sorts of entertainment. What’s more, since kids can’t go to school, they’re relying on technology to continue with their education. However, in the midst of so many digital options and obligations, it’s important to learn to disconnect and enjoy quality time during quarantine with our family members and those who live in our home.
With this in mind, we want to suggest a series of activities and games that you can enjoy with those you love. Let’s get started!
Activities for quality time during quarantine
Karaoke
We’re all familiar with karaoke – an activity where you read song lyrics from a screen while singing along to instrumental recordings. But in order to get away from more screen time, you’ll need to rely on your own memory and creativity.
That way, you can sing along to your favorite songs without reading the lyrics. Meanwhile, the rest of the family can act as judges and score your performance. You can even put on your own version of The Voice.
Crafts with recycled objects
Most children love making crafts. Therefore, we encourage you to put together any type of craft activity you can think of. Use materials you have around the house to inspire your creations. These can include water bottles, toilet paper rolls, plastic containers, lids, etc. Look around and you’ll be sure to find plenty of things to work with.
Board games
More than likely, you’ve got some old games lying around the house from when you were a kid. Dust them off and get ready for an evening of family fun. If you don’t have any games, you can also make homemade versions of Memory, Chutes and Ladders, etc. That way, you’ll combine craft time with game time! And you’ll end up with a product that lends to even more quality time with your family.
Stop! The most fun game to play during quarantine
The Stop! application is one of the most downloaded games at the moment. The best part is that you can play with people who are far away. It not only gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with family at home, but also friends and family who live elsewhere.
If you don’t have the application, all you need is a pen or pencil, a piece of paper, and a timer. The game consists of establishing a series of categories. For example, names, cities, foods, etc. Also, you’ll need to choose a letter from the alphabet.
Within a specific amount of time, players will need to write down a word for each category that starts with the chosen letter. It’s a simple and fun game that stimulates the memory and imagination of every player.
More activities that encourage quality time during quarantine
Build your own obstacle course
It’s important to stay active during quarantine and find ways to burn off all that extra energy. To keep kids from getting bored with the same thing every day, mix things up. For example, you can stay active by setting up your own obstacle course using furniture and other objects around your home.
When setting things up, keep in mind the space you have in your home or yard. Also, consider the ages of your children. You can include obstacles, jumps, tunnels, objects your kids must climb over, etc. Or you can set up stations where your little must ones must complete different challenges, like doing push-ups or solving a puzzle. Between putting everything together and completing your obstacle/challenge course, time will fly!
Hiding games: Many variations
Hide-and-go-seek is a classic game that never goes out of style, no matter how much time goes by. What’s more, it’s one of the most ideal games to play at home, and you have several variations to choose from.
Children love to hide and seek. So, if you have enough room in your home, this is a great option! You don’t need a lot of players… two is enough!
If you have a lot of space in your home or yard – and a large family – then you can organize a game of sardines! This is like hide and seek, but only one player hides while everyone else looks for them. As players find whoever’s hiding, they hide in the same spot. The last player to discover the hiding spot is “it.”
If space is limited, or you just need to mix things up a bit, then you can hide a specific object in your home and have the rest of your family look for it. Or you can put together a treasure hunt with clues and a prize at the end.
Origami (paper folding)
Origami is another excellent way to enjoy quality time during quarantine as a family while learning something new. In fact, you and your children may discover a new hobby. To make your origami creations, you just need paper and creativity. You can find plenty of instructions to print off from the internet.
Drawing, painting, and coloring
These are favorites among the smallest family members but, truth be told, you’re never too old to enjoy them. What’s more, you just need paper and colors – crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint… whatever you can find. Not only is this a great way to pass the time and relax, it also stimulates creativity and imagination. You’ll be sure to enjoy this activity as you spend quality time with your family.
