The Mind Vault - Unlocked

How to keep the children occupied during a global pandemic.

So.. how’s lockdown going?

Home schooling and working from home for many of us, is a pretty daunting reality. Keeping children busy and happy – and making sure they’re not plonked in front of a screen too much – seems like a big ask. I mean who has time to plan a spreadsheet of character-building, mind-stretching activities?

But... has anyone told you recently that you are doing an amazing job? The fact that you are reading this blog now suggests that you are trying your very best for you and your family.

And that in itself deserves a huge amount of credit and well deserved pat on the back.

So here at HSO, we’ve taken the stress of it from you and created a list of resources and activities that you and your family can enjoy all from the restrictions of your home. But before we get to the list, let’s talk about structure. it’s good to have a structure. Divide the day up into a timetable and stick it on the fridge so that everyone can see it. Have time set out for educational tasks and break it up with fun activities (and actual breaks!) to keep your children engaged and happy.

Take note – don’t stress about filling each moment of the day. And don’t stress if your children end up watching a bit of TV or playing computer games. This is a tricky time for all of us, and it’s all about balance, right? So, on with the activity ideas.

For the Under 3’s

1. Playing with pots, pans and wooden spoons – encourage them to make as much noise as they can! (You might want to wear ear plugs)

2. Water painting the patio – just get a pot of water, some paint brushes and (assuming it’s a dry day) let them paint!

3. Listen to the CBeebies Podcast

4. Get moving with the Wiggle and Waggle  series.

5. Make a sensory box – or items that they feel are most precious. This can include; photos, favourite toys or comforters.

6. Make an indoor puzzle game! Very easy to do – ckeck out Pintrest for ideas.

For ages 3-5

7. Create a back garden (or indoor) scavenger hunt – make a list of things that you have in your garden.

8. Bake! There are loads of exiting and interesting recipes for that children can get involved in. On Twinkl they provide daily recipes for avid young bakers!

9. Watch Oliver Jeffers read his amazing stories – on Instagram Live at 6pm GMT daily.

10. Download some free colouring pintables – once again Twinkl has every theme going under its Mindfulness colouring pages.

11. Get your children to do this 30 Day Lego Challenge and get creative, building cool stuff.

12. Snuggle down and listen to free stories on the Storynory website or podcast.

For Ages 5+

13. Go garden camping! Pitch a tent in your back garden, get your camping stove going and toast some marshmallows.

14. Earn a Blue Peter badge. Check out their website on exactly what your children need to do, to earn different Blue Peter badges.

15. Arrange a Facetime/Skype game with one your children’s friends who is also at home – they could play Hangman or Charades from a safe distance.

16. Have a family board game tournament. Our favourites are Monopoly, Cluedo and Guess Who.

17. You’re going to have plenty of toilet roll tubes lying around so get craft! Try and make some spring time butterflies or jolly elephant.

18. Join the rest of nation and do P.E with Joe Wicks every week day morning at 9am on YouTube.

19. Design your own board game

20. Learn to juggle!

21. Hold a virtual dinner with friends and family. Children will love this!

22. Learn amazing stuff about sloths that play sports and domino designers with the free Scholastic material.

23. Have a kids’ yoga session – great to calm them down after an high energy activity. Cosmic Kids on YouTube is great and free!

24. Download a free children’s audio book from Audible with their one month trial. They have Harry Potter, David Walliams, Roald Dahl, all the greats! (Just don’t forget to cancel the trial if you don’t want to sign up for a monthly fee!)

So there you have it, The Mind Vault – Unlocked Blog. You are doing incredibly well – and even in months or years to come this is the time that we will look back and cherish those extra morning cuddles, those mid-afternoon and those ‘I love you’ moments that make our hearts burst with pride.

Peace and Love to you all,

Michaela