It can get quite tiresome, if not downright nerve-racking, to have all this ‘free time’ on your hands during this unprecedented home quarantine. Hobbies, studies, and work can only take up so much time, which brings you to family. If you are one of the many people ‘stuck’ indoors with family members, stay safe and make the most of it instead of unwittingly creating real life episodes filled with drama, loose words, and fights galore.
1. Wordplay
There are several different games under this category. Anything from scrabble and memory-based choices to even Antakshari.
• Spelling games are a great way for parents to keep their little ones sharp-minded while at the same time entertained.
• Board games are an exceptional visual ‘classroom’ where you can play and teach at the same time.
• Game recommendations include Memory Match, Scrabble, The Letter Game, Coffeepot, Three Word Superheroes, Once Upon A Word, and Ghost.
Remember, these are FAMILY games, meaning you take one hour out of your ‘eternal’ stay home schedule and spend time with your partner and kids. This ensures ideal team-making ventures as well as encouraging your children to participate in these word games. After all, if the parents don’t care so much for it, why should they; or so the kiddos will be inclined to think.
2. Movies / Shows
This is an evergreen choice, what with the rise in Netflix streaming and other online and TV options so obviously available.
• You are anyway going to ‘kill’ time watching something or other, so why not enjoy a movie or show with family instead. It will be a great way to bond, as well as something fun to do together during this home quarantine.
• You must make sure that you choose family-conscious entertainment.
If it is something the kids will like more than you or your partner would, give in to the notion and choose that. Kids need more stimuli at his time than adults.
Also Read: 5 Ways to Keep Kids Happy During Coronavirus Lockdown
3. Virtual Tours
Many such options are available online. It seems everyone is the ‘stay home, stay safe’ types these days, including tour providers.
• All you need do is google the place you want to visit via a virtual tour, and it’s all uphill from there.
• Your whole family can learn something fascinating, and the thrills (if the reviews are anything to go by) are well worth it.
Again, choose locations that everyone in the family would like to ‘visit’.
4. Karaoke Night
Recreate the popular entertainment option at home!
• Choose a playlist by taking a handful of preferred titles from each of your kids, your partner, and then yourself.
• You may need to keep a computer screen at hand so everyone can see the lyrics.
Now, here’s the tricky part, try not to give the neighbors cause to register a noise complaint. That said, enjoy some beautiful family karaoke before home quarantine dinner. Singing (good or bad) sure works up an appetite.
5. Work Exchange Employee
This is a nifty original idea to try at home with family during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• You do each other’s tasks for a day. Someone else cooks, another does the laundry; one of the parents can help the other complete some work-from-home tasks; that last is shared because it is too important to approach as a game.
• Get creative. Try sleeping in different rooms, for a change. This, too, falls under the ‘exchange’ concept. You can also try ‘camping’ in the living room, minus the bonfire, of course.
Remember: Stay home, stay SAFE.