I think we're on day five of social distancing, which for us means a lot of indoor activities, playing in the backyard, a little extra screen time, and going to wide open parks where there aren't many people – while Kristie and I take turns working from home. My first thought was to wistfully imagine what quarantining would be like without a child – how much knitting, reading, TV watching, baking, and lounging I'd get done. I think it would have been lovely for three days. Then I think my routine would've started to slide, I'd wear pajamas all the time, and I'd get depressed. I'm truly grateful we have him keeping us on our toes and waking up at 6:30. His need for routine is non-negotiable, which means we're living with the benefits of routine too. There's so much unknown about life right now, but at least we have some of the answers – like when bedtime is, that we all need fresh air, and the next activity that will keep our minds and hearts busy.
This started as a Google doc Kristie and I shared, but I thought it might help you too. Some of these ideas are area- or toy-specific, so might not be applicable to your family, but check it out anyway. I'm also linking tutorials from other blogs and the exact same toys that we're using currently.
We're in this together. We got this.
THINGS TO DO WHILE QUARANTINING/SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH A TODDLER
- Bake cookies
- Bake bread
- Go for a hike
- Take the bike stroller on the bike path
- Play in the backyard
- Build fairy houses in the backyard
- Kinetic sand [affiliate link]
- Sewing/knitting kit
- Painting ice cubes w/ salt
- Make “paint brushes” w/ leaves, sticks, etc. from outside
- Cut out little house shapes from cardboard, decorate
- Grocery store/restaurant play
- Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube
- Thread paper straw pieces on pipe cleaners
- Dance w/ play silks
- “Paint” w/ water on construction paper or stones
- Make “tunnels” out of construction paper taped to floor for balls or cars
- Play w/ car mat & cars [affiliate link]
- “Tape rescue” w/ plastic animals taped to something
- Make a smoothie
- Calm-down bottle
- Make play dough
- Pouring station
- “Go fishing” w/ fish set & play silks
- Sweep or mop the kitchen [affiliate link]
- Vacuum
- Walk around Look Park
- Use tracing chalkboard
- Go to Childs Park & look for frogs in the pond
- Take a walk
- Paint nails
- Do a puzzle
- Blow bubbles in the backyard
- Easter window clings
- FaceTime w/ friends and relatives
- Grow unicorn sponges
- Match alphabet cookies to letter sheet
- Put up tent
- Build a fort
- “Light party” — dark room, all flashlights/light up toys, 80s music
- Obstacle course
- Run around the house (literally he just likes running around the house in circles sometimes)
- Look at things outside with the magnifying glass
- Find storytelling videos on Instagram (Mac Barnett) or YouTube
- Take a bath
