It’s already been two months and things are just starting to reopen. We are one step closer to normal. But it will be a long time until things will truly go back to our regular way of life. With a new normal headed our way my family will continue social distancing as much as possible this summer. So how will we, as parents, stay sane while we continue social distancing with kids this season?
Some of the major things we’ve all taken from these crazy times is to take things more slowly, value the essentials, and spend time with our little ones at home. Despite homeschooling struggles, the sibling bickering, and the constant need for snacks, families have gotten closer and discovered new ways to bond together.
What can we learn from these times? What can we continue to do with our children over the summer break?
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Bonding Activities to Try With Kids While Social Distancing
There are so many things we can do as a family, it’s just a matter of making a list and going through it and then coming back to it again another day. Amongst activities are new hobbies to do together as well.
Here’s a list of ideas to get you started:
- Start a garden together
- Create a butterfly garden
- Sensory water play
- Sprinkler water play
- Go swimming
- Make playdough
- Make slime
- Lots and lots of crafts
- Reading circles
- Clean together
- Build a fort
- Go for a walk and look for treasure
- Color or paint with chalk
How We've Been Bonding During Quarantine
Social Distancing With Kids Outside
The kids and I have gone for several walks and several bike rides in the mornings before it gets too hot. Then we’ll either play outside in our little popup tent while pretending to roast marshmallows in our pretend fire made of twigs or splash around at the water table and water sprinklers to cool off.
We’ve also started a few mini gardening projects. Recently, we started a few Hass Avocado sprouts and Mango sprouts from the pit- it’s going to take a while though. With a lot of patience, we’ve also started a mini herb garden from a seed kit. Read these great tips on How to Make Gardening Exciting for Kids.
The kids have been helping my mom water her garden projects as well, with the Clear20 Garden & Pet Water Filter. It’s pretty great because it filters out all the harsh chemicals, smells, and tastes within the water so it’s safer for children, pets, and organic gardens. As you can see in the pictures, we used it for our gardening needs, as well as for filling the water table or splashing and it easily attaches straight to any hose or spout. It is also available on Amazon and Walmart.
Social Distancing With Kids Inside
When we’re inside we like to build things like lego trains, foam block towers, and lots of jigsaw puzzles. I even taught the kids how to play Go Fish. My oldest has been loving creative drawing, we’ve watched a few of Mo Willems’ videos doing ‘Lunch Doodles.’
Also my husband, who’s been home from work, participated in a few fort building adventures with the kids. They created an airplane out of couch cushions, chairs, and blankets and the kids were piloting the plane through a storm.
Other Fun Ideas
Some of the other activities we’ve done together that we truly enjoyed were: making popsicles out of yogurt or fruit juices, making giant nature ice and then watching it melt or crushing it, making a sticky dartboard out of blue tape, making obstacle courses, multiple pool noodle activities, and blending colors with a bubble foam sensory activity.
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My name is Paula and I’m a mom of two scrumptious cuties. Thanks Mommy Blog became a project for me to help guide other new moms and current moms through any of my own personal experiences and struggles. My hobbies include singing, doing jigsaw puzzles, baking, designing and trying to stay creative.
Thanks for all of these great summer activities! I have to get my kids a water table. I think they would love it!
I love how you keep your kids busy!! Such a great bonding moment for all of you too. Definitely going to do some if your suggestions 🙂
Thank you for all of the amazing ideas! I’ll definitely re-vamp some activities for my toddler and try them out this summer!
I love how you’ve managed to stay so active as a family during these hard times. We also took advantage of my husband staying home and involved him in some of our projects. I will try to use pool noodle for some math activities, I never really thought about that… Read more »
I love your ideas to get kids engaged in a positive way…like the photos too..