Spring break is coming, and we’re still under lockdown. A year ago, everything was novel, and we were all scrambling to adapt. I like to think that now we are more seasoned, that we are somewhat battle-tested, that we know how to handle the situation. Of course, it’s still not exactly true for everyone. So I thought I would share some ideas about keeping kids occupied while trying to work. 

1. Boardgames

Playing board games is a great way to keep children busy for a few hours. If they have siblings, it’s a sure-fire way to occupy them all simultaneously. Some favourites in our home are Sorry, Trouble, Risk for kids, Go-fish (or any other card game), and the Passe-Partout guessing game.

2. Bricolage

Making things can be simple, fun, and occupy children for yours. Currently, I am working on a popsicle stick waterslide for my daughter’s marbles. It requires only popsicle sticks and Elmer’s glue and doesn’t make too much of a mess. There are also colouring, painting, and drawing projects. Get your kids some coloured markers or pencils and give them some time to express themselves. You can also bake hard cookies for colouring. If your children are older, try woodburning or building model cars/planes.

3. Outdoor Activities

Many activities are banned, or places closed for the moment, but the great outdoors is still largely available. You can skate on an outdoor rink, toboggan, or take a long walk through the Biodome, the Planetarium, and Les Jardins Botaniques are currently open. Building a snowman is also a lot of healthy fun. If your kids are too old for snowmen, have them build a fort and have a snowball fight. Snowball fights have gone out of vogue in recent times because everyone is so sensitive about children getting hurt. Well, there are worse things that they could be doing, like being completely sedentary or developing mental health issues. So let the snowballs fly! (Maybe even dare to play King of the Mountain).

4. Website Development

The idea of making your own website might be daunting to some of you but take it from the guy who had zero web-development experience less than six months ago and designed his own site from scratch—it’s not that difficult. There are tutorials on YouTube that will explain the basics in under two hours. Then make a website! If your child is passionate about something, let them speak to the world about it online. If they like animals, make a site about animals.

5. Cooking

It may lead to you eating some ‘interesting’ dishes, but allowing your children to help you cook, or cook a few meals by themselves if they are capable, will give them a renewed sense of responsibility and empower them. My partner and daughter make fresh bread every week or so and have worked on many sweets over the holidays. Cooking with your child takes a little longer and requires more patience, but once they have spent some time with you, they are much better at playing by themselves afterwards.

6. Zoom Sessions to Jump on the Bed

Over the last few months, my brother and I have had Zoom sessions for our daughters. We set everything up, and then they play and jump on the bed for an hour or so. It is a lot of fun for them and helps them foster a relationship that may not exist otherwise. Depending on the age of your child/ren, you may need to supervise for a bit, but once they understand the rules (such as don’t kill yourself), you can leave them to be kids.

7. Playing Alone

Speaking of alone time, giving your child the space to play alone during the lockdown is essential. It seems we worry so much about whether our child has enough attention, whether they are being stimulated enough, that we rarely let them do their own thing. My partner and I have up a schedule that includes alone time for our daughter. She knows it is part of the day and adapts well when it is part of the routine.

8. Video Games

I recently read a study that said neither screen time nor video game use influence the development of children. Their friend group influences them far more. So I have started to adopt a new perspective on video games. Let them play! Play all they want. As long as it is suitable to their age, and they aren’t playing with the wrong people online (read: bullies and creeps). Hey, you never know, maybe they will go on to design a game one day. Technology is our future. Why try to fight that? As long as there is a balance of activities, then to me, it’s all good.

I hope that these ideas give you some ammunition when your kids need to be occupied and come to you looking for things to do. It’s a time to go back to the basics. Kids need stimulation, they need to have creative outlets, they need to be kids. Some oldies are still goodies. Good luck, everyone! The end is in sight!