These are uncertain and challenging times. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are finding themselves without childcare, working from home and homeschooling at the same time. It’s no easy feat. I’ve been brainstorming some activities for myself and my son while we’re isolating at home. For myself, I’m trying to balance my natural urge to “be productive” with some more calming and grounding activities that I know I need for my mental health.
I hope these ideas spark some inspiration for you too!
To-do for myself
- Use my local library’s online content
- Donate to my local food bank
- Savour the rituals of the everyday: making a cup of tea, having a hot shower
- Deep breathing and meditation exercises
- Yoga
- Housework and cleaning
- Decluttering
- Cook and bake
- Read
- Write
- Listen to podcasts
- Weather dependant, start some seedlings or do some balcony gardening
- Online museum tours (a fun date night idea if you’re nerdy like we are!)
- Find a new show to watch with my husband
- Mend some clothes
- DIY skincare/bodycare
- At-home “spa” (mani/pedi, sugar scrub, etc)
- Organize home photos and create a scrapbook
- Two-person board games and card games to do with my husband
- Make bread
Toddler activities
- At-home fun “obstacle courses” (stepping from scarf-to-scarf, hopping on one foot, etc)
- Online yoga for kids
- Sock puppets
- Colouring/drawing/painting or play dough
- Nature scavenger hunt
- Puzzles
- Family movie nights
- Reading (including free online storytimes)
- Paper dolls
- Baking
- Dancing games (“freeze” when the music stops)
- Helping to water the plants
- Board games
- Flower pressing
- Around-the-house treasure hunt
- @thoughtfullysustainable science activities
- Make a living room fort
- Blow bubbles on the balcony
- Make paper crowns
- Make paper airplanes
What about you? What’s on your “to-do” list? What are you doing with your kiddos?
Leah Payne 
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