Amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, school closures have caused an added concern with Oregon parents: How will they keep their kids entertained at home while schools, daycares, and kids’ activities are closed? Below is a list of ideas to help parents fill the down time that this virus outbreak has led to.

School’s Cool…At Home

There are many free online academic resources to continue engaging kids in learning. Below is a list of online websites that offer free online courses for kids of all ages:

Scholastic has launched an online resource for daily educational activities and projects.
National Geographic Kids is a fun and educational resource for learning about animals and the natural world.
ST Math is a great website for lessons on mathematics.
Khan Academy has many different courses and lessons in varied subjects for all types of learners.
Duolingo is a great resource for learning languages.

Let’s Get Active!

At-home workouts are a great way for families to stay active during a time of hunkering down. Youtube is a good resource for finding at-home workout videos.
Hiking allows families to admire nature and new scenery together, while still being active and getting out of the house.
Fishing is an old-time tradition passed down from generation to generation, so what better time than now to dust off that fishing rod and take the kids fishing!
Setting up a scavenger hunt is a great way to keep kids entertained, especially incorporating physical activity in the scavenger hunt.
Set up a campground in your backyard. Pitch a tent, complete a bug-themed treasure hunt, and build a fire to roast hotdogs, marshmallows and tell campfire stories. This is not only a fun way for families to spend time together, but it creates lifelong memories for kids to reflect on.

Craft Your HeART Out

Drawing, painting, and coloring are all fun activities to keep kids engaged and spark creativity. Being able to create artistic masterpieces either inside or outside allows for endless creative possibilities!
Writing letters to family members or thank you notes to doctors and nurses is a great way to pass time, and a fun way to get creative in saying “hi” or “thank you” to those in your community.

Kids in The Kitchen

Teaching kids how to cook or bake their favorite foods allows them to learn a life skill and enlisting them to help make dinner or lunch not only helps you, but can spark an interest for kids. Plus, half the fun of baking is licking the mixing spoon!
Have a family cook/bake-off and appoint judges to decide the winner.

Get Your Game On

Card games and board games are always a fun way for families to spend time together. Break out that Monopoly and maybe finish a game, or two.
Legos are a great way to keep kids of all ages entertained, while encouraging creativity and imagination!
Going outside and playing with chalk is a fun way to keep kids entertained while spending time outdoors. Draw up a Hopscotch game or let their imaginations run wild.
Puzzles are a great way for kids and families to stay entertained while using their brain power during this extra down time. Grab a large puzzle to bond over the next few quarantined-weeks.

Screen Time to Avoid Scream Time

Watching movies or a TV series is a great way for families to pass time together and keep up on all the trending shows. Disney+ and Netflix offer shows and movies for all ages. If you’re on a tight budget because of the loss of hours at work or even unemployment, YouTube and PBS have a ton of kid-friendly content for free.
Start a family diary/blog/vlog. With this historic COVID-19 outbreak, documenting the quarantined activities is a great way to not only stay entertained, but to have to reflect on in the future as well!
Many zoos, aquariums, farms, and national parks have set up webcams for people to virtually view the animals. Take your kids on an online field trip to watch the Beluga Whales at the Georgia Aquarium or through the Glacier National Park to see the different terrains.
FaceTiming or Skyping family and friends is a great way to socialize while practicing “social distancing”.
Many musical artists have gone Live on social media outlets with performances. Attend an at-home concert and have your own dance party!