Socially Distanced Games and Activities for Families & Kids
This time of year it can be hard to entertain the kids but even harder when we still need to social distance and might not be seeing friends. If you are looking for things to do with the kids try these fun socially distanced games and activities.
It may be difficult to get to a museum or zoo currently or you may not feel comfortable taking the family out. There are several museums, zoos, aquariums, and other attractions that are offering virtual visits. Check out this list.
Dance
Turn on some music and dance it out! Check YouTube for dancing tutorials and get the whole family involved learning a new dance or line dance. After the kids have gotten their dance routine down have a performance! Another dancing activity is freeze dance. Start the music and dance until the music stops, then freeze.
Scavenger Hunt
Fun socially distanced games and activities are scavenger hunts. Send your kids on a fun adventure around the house using clues to find a treasure at the end of the hunt. Once the weather warms up you can make a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood taking photos of things on your list. Create your own list or you can use a premade lists like the ones here.
Start a DIY Project
Have a project you’d like to do around the house? Get the kids involved and teach them how to safely use tools while learning new skills. If you’re not too sure about getting the kids involved in a big home improvement project, The Home Depot offers kids projects on their website as well as kid activity kits each month you can pick up at the store.
Plan out where you’re going to go or don’t and cruise around your town or surrounding towns. Check out local landmarks and teach your kids a bit about your town’s history. Finish off the drive by stopping at your favorite drive-thru for lunch or a snack before heading back home.
Have a Game Night
Grab your favorite board game or invite your kids to create their own game. After dinner come together to play their newly created game and ask them all about it. Your kids will love to let you know how they came up with the idea.
Put on a Show
Give your kids a task of writing a play. Next, have them write everyone in the house a role and then act out their play as a family. You can even write a script yourself for your kids to act out. This is a fun activity for the whole family. If your kids seem to enjoy this, some other socially distanced games and activities along the lines of writing a play would be to host an award show after your kids have acted out a few plays you can give them awards for best actress/actor, best film, etc.
Backyard Camping
This one will have to wait until the weather gets warmer but backyard camping can be a lot of fun. Set up a tent in the backyard, make smores, tell campfire stories, and star gaze all night.
Make a Family Garden
You can start the plans for this project in the winter and then execute your plans this spring. Let your kids pick the types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers they’d like to plant and work together to learn about each plant they want to grow. When it’s time to plant work together to create the garden. You can use this activity to teach your kids, not only about growing food and where food comes from, but also how to tend to a garden and work on responsibility.
Cook Together
Mostly every kid has a favorite meal, let them help you cook it! Who doesn’t love having a sous chef. You can also teach your kids family recipes. Let them follow recipe cards and/or instructions and work with you to get dinner ready. If you have younger kids who may not be able to help in the kitchen you can have them draw their favorite meal or meals. Keep a collection of these recipes and drawings and make a fun family cookbook featuring them all for your kids when they grow up.
