Family time is a gift, for sure, but you may be wondering
how to fill the long hours. It’s okay to watch more than usual amounts of
television or allow more screen time than usual, but as this stay-at-home time
drags out, you may want to look for some super-creative ways to spend the time.
Ta da! Mom blogs to the rescue. Really, there are hundreds
of blogs created by parents that share creative ideas for kid activities geared
for kids from age zero on up to teens. They’re excellent sources for hands-on
activities in science, art, literacy and more.
Here are some good ones, but you can do a search to find
others. Many of these blogs have added new sections designed specifically to
your needs for the Corona virus stay-at-home learning times.
Buggy and Buddy
is a fantastic site run by an elementary school teacher. She shares art,
science, STEM and STEAM projects for toddlers through teens. The site is
user-friendly. You can search by age to find great activities, supply lists,
and free printables to make setting up projects easy. There is an excellent
section on activities based on your child’s favorite book. Try the color walk
scavenger hunt, make a balancing robot or do the apple math pattern projects.
The Dad Lab is a
bit of a work in progress, but it does have some great kid and parent science
projects. It also links to a book by the same title that offers fifty science
projects for parents and kids.
Mommy Poppins is
a national site with information based on your part of the country. The
national portion of the site is filled with activities to do with your kids. It
has a section dedicated to our current situation with the stay-at-home orders.
Get your kids involved with outdoor games, exercises, crafts, science projects
and much more.
READ MORE: Kids in the kitchen
Cool Mom Picks is
run by two ultra-cool moms. Their site is chock-full of ideas for food and
menu-planning (how to make that cool whipped coffee), crafts, ideas for
Mother’s Day and a huge section on timely topics for living in quarantine.
There is also a podcast available. This is a comprehensive site to search for
activities of all ages.
No Time for FlashCards is another site rich in fun ideas for kids of all ages. It focuses on
crafts, books, and all sorts of educational activities. It is searchable by
age. Like most good blogs it adds articles and suggestions from a wide variety
of other moms who love to share their good ideas. If you are doing school at
home, there is a section for teachers.
Busy Toddler offers
a gazillion ideas for cool activities to do with your toddlers. From sensory
play to tasks highlighting fine motor skills, you’ll find simple, but creative
and educational tasks to do with your young children.
The Activity Mom
is a site presented at three levels, baby, toddler and elementary-aged
children. It focuses on hands-on activities and offers free printables. Want to
make some Moon Sand or create a Hide and Seek Bottle for your baby?
Happy Hooligans
is filled with hundreds of ideas for arts and crafts and play. Great for craft
ideas for every holiday and fun hands-on activities for kids of all ages.
There are so many great mom blogs filled with articles,
parent musings and practical activities for your kids. Check out the following
to find top Mom blogs:
www.mymommyneedsthat.com/best-mom-blogs-you-can-find/
https://blog.feedspot.com/kids_activities_blogs/
Other articles by HVP News Reporters