October, 2020

Thank you to our guest writer;
​Lacie Marin

​Budget-friendly Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Educated and Entertained 
This is a difficult time to be a kid in school: while some schools have opted to stay closed while COVID-19 remains a concern, others have opened with severe restrictions and rules, including mask-wearing and physical distancing measures. For families helping their kids learn from home, there are a number of adjustments that have to be made, whether it’s helping them learn virtually or assisting with schoolwork far more than ever before. Here are some budget-friendly tips for helping your child learn and play at home in the pandemic era.
 
Remote learningAs schools around the country start their fall semesters, kids are experiencing quite a different first day of school than usual. Instead of gearing up to catch up with friends and compare summer stories, they’re signing onto Zoom and meeting their new teachers through a screen. 
 
Not only are they being challenged to learn through a video lesson, but they’re also going to be dealing with far more time indoors and more screen time than usual. If you’re having trouble helping your child adapt, consult early education advisors such as Family Factor for help.
 
Educational tools Because your children will be spending so much more time online, be sure to invest in a budget-friendly computer to help them learn. Not only will it help them complete their homework more quickly, but it will also allow them to play games when schoolwork is over. Before you buy, check out a Lenovo coupon for the best deals on the latest technology.
 
Keep in mind that kids are used to getting up and moving through their day, even in a classroom setting. To help your child adapt, be sure to include plenty of activities that don’t involve screen time.
Offline activitiesEven though screens are highly necessary tools to help children learn during the COVID-19 era, it’s important to include learning and entertainment activities that happen offline.
 
Playing games with your kids is crucial during this time. Not only will you be creating a positive experience for them, but you’ll also be enriching their lives and helping them learn problem-solving skills. Parenting Science explains that board games are excellent for helping children develop critical thinking skills and boosting their decision-making abilities. 
 
Another fun activity to do with your kids is cooking or baking. While it may not seem like much, it helps them learn to follow directions and conduct measurements. They’ll learn valuable lessons about how to prepare food, and if they happen to love it, your whole family will benefit from freshly baked treats or a home cooked dinner.
 
If you have an industrious child at home, Scholastic notes one fun activity is to take something apart. Pick an item that is of low value—like an old cassette tape or alarm clock—and have them piece it apart as slowly as possible to see how it all fits together. This is great for budding engineers and is a fun activity that will challenge and entertain them.
 
For kids who have an interest in biology, consider starting an indoor garden. Planting an indoor garden is easier than you think: all you need is a small container, some dirt, and one seed to get started. Kids will be excited to watch their little plant grow and will learn skills for eventually planting a larger garden outdoors in the spring.
 
While remote learning and indoor activities aren’t the most fun for your kids, sometimes they’re the best we can do while we wait out the pandemic. Be sure to invest in low-cost educational tools to help them with their schoolwork and check out online coupons to save money. Break up their day with some non-screen activities, like helping out in the kitchen or picking apart outdated tech. Use these ideas to help your children stay engaged and entertained, from board games to indoor gardening and even baking.