by Barbie L.
As we continue to shelter in place during the COVID-19 outbreak, I have been scouring parenting blogs for activities to keep my toddlers busy without leaving home. And, the more we have found to do at home, the more the following quote has rung true:
“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.”
Russell Conwell
It has actually been really rewarding to explore what we have at home, instead of constantly seeking out entertainment elsewhere. Here are some of the best backyard activities I have done with my kids since we have been staying home.
Nature Sticky Wall
Stick a piece of contact paper or sheet of adhesive vinyl to a wall or fence, sticky side out. Encourage your child to find as many different small plants to stick to it as they can. Tutorial on Busy Toddler.
Bug Hunt and Other Scavenger Hunts
Take an inventory of the bugs you usually see when you’re outside and make a bug hunt card. Use images so your child can do it independently. Bring the page and a marker outside and encourage your child to cross off each bug as they find it. You can download a pre-made bug hunt page at Toddler Approved.
If your child loves looking for thing you can find many more free scavenger hunts like the one below at Primary Playground.
Leaf rubbing
At a loss for what to do with broken crayons missing their wrappers? They are perfect for making leaf rubbings! Tutorial on 100 Directions (we got by without the plastic wrap and taped the paper to the table instead).
Plant Stamps
Anything can be a stamp, including flowers, leaves, and glass. Set your child up with stamp pads or paint and let them discover what the imprints of various found objects look like. Tutorial on Artful Parent.
Sidewalk chalk activities
Note: Drawing on public sidewalks is illegal in many areas, so please be sure to keep these activities to your own walkways and patios.
1. Trace a family member on the ground. Then, color them in to look as similar to the real person as possible!
2. Sidewalk chalk mosaic. Tape out a mosaic, and let your kids color it in. Even if your kids aren’t that good at staying in the lines, when you peel off the tape it looks amazing. Tutorial on The Idea Room.
3. Sidewalk chalk obstacle course (and other games!) We don’t all have time to set up an elaborate physical obstacle course for our kids, but you’d be surprised at how quickly you can mimic one with sidewalk chalk.
We’ve also seen jumbo sidewalk chalk Snakes and Ladders games (where the people are the pieces) and sidewalk chalk Twister.
Reading Picnic
Low energy on a beautiful day? Set out a picnic blanket and let your kids pick out their favorite books to bring outside for a reading picnic.
I hope you find some diamonds in your own back yard as you shelter in place with your loved ones.