For most of us, Spring Break is over and we are all adjusting to our students learning from home and our new normal. Whether you have one child in the home or a house full of them, having activities for the kids to do throughout the day helps keep them occupied and learning, allowing parents to get their work done.
Whether it be a virtual tour, an online kid-friendly workout, or a fun craft, our digital world has inspired people to get creative and connect like never before. With that said, we decided to consult the creative minds of the internet and share with you some of our favorite kid-friendly activities that let them express their creativity while sharpening their minds. And although we are focused on kids, these activities are also great for adults and for parents and children to do together.
Online Museum Tours
You may have heard it reported in the news that many revered institutions, such as The Louvre, The Vatican Museums, The British Museum, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and even NASA are all offering virtual tours of their facilities. Whether you’re into art, space, or history, there is something for everyone, allowing you to explore the world and its many cultures without having the leave the comfort of your home.
Zoo Live Streams
Similar to the virtual museum tours, many zoos across the country to launch live streaming series on social media, such as the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Home Safari series, which is live-streamed weekdays on their Facebook page (and check out the Home Safari Resources page of their website for fun activities to accompany the videos!). These videos allow kids to get up close and personal with animals in the safety of their own homes.
Crafts
These few better ways to let children express their individuality than to let them get creative with a craft. Here are a few of our favorites, many of which can be done with things you already have at home:
- Tin Can Honey Bee (Think Crafts)
- Mason Bee Habitat (Natural Beach Living)
- Gold Glitter Honey Bee Slime (Daily Dish Magazine)
- Bubble Wrap Beehive & Fingerpaint Bees (Crafty Morning)
- Paper Plate Bee (Glued to My Crafts)
- Busy Bee Headband (Simple at Heart)
Plant a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
Spring is officially here, and it’s never too late to get out and get your hands dirty doing some good for your friendly neighborhood pollinators! This is also a great activity families can do together while getting to enjoy a little bit of time outside of the house. Check out our planting for pollinators tips.
Create a Bee Bath
This is another great activity that the whole family can enjoy and our favorite flying friends will greatly appreciate, and it is so easy! Simply fill a shallow bowl with water and some stones (let the kids personalize them with a little paint) and corks for the bees to land on. Fill your bath with fresh water every couple of days and just see how many pollinators come to visit.
Explore the World of Honey with a Kid-Focused Honey Tasting
With more than 3,000 varietals found worldwide, a honey tasting is a fun and delicious way to explore the world. From floral to fruity, and even spicy, tasting different varietals is an experience all its own. Learn more about honey varietals here. So grab a few varietals and some tasting spoons and dig in!
Activity Sheets
Learn more about the life, home and work of the honey bee through the NHB’s own activity sheets. Made for kids grade 2-4, these handy activity sheets are designed to teach your kids about bees, honey, and just how important they are to the world. Covering everything from beehives, pollination, how honey is made and even bee sustainability, each sheet features a fun activity kids can do at home.
We want to hear from you! What are you and your children doing while at home? Give us your best tips in the comments section below!