How to keep kids busy

Make reading a daily habit, maybe a bedtime ritual. If your kid is younger (can’t read), read it to them. You can ask your kid to write their own books or do journaling. Reading regularly fuels your child’s imagination and improves their comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills.

Enjoy large-muscle activities like jump rope, bike riding, roller blading, ball games and hopscotch. Also enjoy fine motor activities like drawing, braiding, cutting, jigsaw puzzles, weaving, wood work and simple sewing. Make use of reading, writing and simple math in games and toys.

Obstacle courses: Have your child use items around the house or yard to create an indoor or outdoor obstacle course. Challenge them to build a different challenge once a week! Learn to cook new recipes: Work with your child to select new recipes for dinner and prepare them together. Treat of the week: Kids love baking.

Kids love to create, and art projects can keep them busy while you’re working from home. Have some basic art supplies on hand, like crayons, markers, play dough, construction paper and coloring books. For the youngest artists, also try finger paints, stamps and stickers.