Inside: Ideas for fun and creative craft projects parents and kids can make together to banish boredom while housebound due to self-isolating, quarantine, or extreme weather. #creativekidsquest
Mom, can I play my iPad?
Mom, can I watch TV?
Mom, can we watch a movie?
Moooooooom, can I play a video game?
This refrain was rinse-and-repeat way too many times during our first week of sheltering in place. And from kids that don’t normally even have screen privileges on school nights, these incessant whines — and the fact that I sometimes do say yes — are symbolic of how upside-down our once predictable routine has become.
That first week, the change in routine was still a novelty. And we had “remote learning” schoolwork to keep us occupied for a good chunk of the day. And yet we still had the boredom blues.
But this week is spring break.
A matinee at the movie theater, swimming at the rec center, visits to the science and art museums, a stroll through the zoo. All off the table. We can’t even take a trip to Grandma’s house.
All our normal spring break stuff is N-I-X nixed. For this school holiday, we need to take staycation to a whole new level.
I’ve got three big wishes for our upcoming staycation:
- I wish for quality bonding time instead of being driven bonkers with “Mom, I’m soooo bored!”
- I wish for out-of-the-box learning instead of sibling squabbles.
- And I wish for my girls to be creative and imaginative rather than screen zombies.
I bet you have similar wishes for your housebound kids. So what’s a mom to do?
Creativity to the Rescue
We did some casual crafting once we got schoolwork done on most days last week. Those afternoon maker sessions became our favorite part of the day.
What if we not only did a lot more of that this coming week (and beyond), but what if we made it our goal to use creativity as our #1 weapon against boredom.
What if we went on our very own creativity quest?
We had a family confab to discuss the idea of having a creative quest together while we’re housebound. We want to start our quest during our spring break week, but then continue it throughout our stint of self-isolation. The girls were totally into it and stoked to get started. So that’s the plan: we’re making it our mission to create together every day.
Join Us on Our Creative Kids Quest
While talking to my daughters about our plans for Creative Kids Quest, we thought about how there are lots of other parents and kids stuck in the same situation.
All of us need more fun but constructive things to do during our time at home. All of us need some help to avoid the stir-crazies. And all of us are happier when we’re being our best creative selves.
Because of this, we decided we want to share our crafting projects with other parents and kids.
We hope that our creative quest might have the same outcome for your tribe. We hope to inspire you to create, help you stave off boredom, and provide you with ideas for positive things to do as a family.
What type of creative projects will you be making?
The creative projects will range in type for the sake of variety. While most of our projects will be arts-and-crafts centered, we also plan to do some cooking, some science, some music, and some language arts. We have so many ideas!
How long will each of the creative projects take to make?
To keep our quest interesting, the creative projects will vary in size and time commitment. Some projects will be smaller and require one afternoon session. Other projects will be more involved, requiring several sessions to complete. And there will be a few ongoing projects too, ones that we can work on throughout the week, little by little.
What age range will the creative projects be for?
Regarding age range, our projects are best suited for elementary-age children. My own daughters are eight and twelve. However, most projects can be leveled up or down for younger and older kids as needed.
What kind of supplies will the creative projects need?
As for supplies, I don’t mind ordering a few special items online. But most of all I want to use materials we already have in the house. Since I’m a craft fanatic and a bit of a packrat, we’ll have plenty to work with. You probably do too.
I’ll post our latest projects here, every few days, as we go along. Stay up to date about what we’re making next by joining my mailing list or by following the Kari Doodle Facebook page.
We’d LOVE to see what you and your kids are creating together! Post projects pics on Instagram with the hashtag #creativekidsquest or post them to my FB page.
Let the Creative Kids Quest begin!
This post is part of the Creative Kids Quest series.
The goal of Creative Kids Quest is to provide ideas and inspiration for fun and creative projects parents and kids can make together to banish boredom while housebound due to self-isolating, quarantine, or extreme weather. #creativekidsquest
Find links to the whole series below:
- Intro to Creative Kids Quest: How to Be Creative with Kids While Stuck in the House
- Project #1: How to Help Kids Have a Focused Day When School’s Out
- Project #2: How to Make an Epic Paper Mural with Your Kids
- Project #3: Here are the Easy Cookies Kids Can Proudly Bake By Themselves
