Activities for Pre-School Kids During Coronavirus Quarantine

Many daycares are starting to close down for social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s being recommended to self-quarantine and stay home as much as possible. We all know that little ones get stir crazy and as parents we want to also foster their growth, learning and creativity. We have put together a list of a few activities and resources where you will get even more ideas on things to do with your children during this coronavirus quarantine time.

ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOL KIDS DURING CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE

1. MAKE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH

Directions: In a pot mix the flour, salt, water, coconut oil and cream of tartar over low heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. When it has a play dough texture it is done, remove from heat, take out of pot and separate into two sections on wax paper, and then you can add a few drops coloring of your choice, or no color at all. For an added therapeutic benefit add a few drops of essential oils of your choice. Lavendar is perfect for the calming effect.

15 minutes cooling and you should be ready to PLAY with the DOUGH!

Store in an air tight container and you can even store it in the fridge and it will last for months!

Supplies/Ingredients Needed:
Wax Paper
Optional – Essential Oils

4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
4 Cups Water
4 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
4 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
Food Coloring

2. SORT TOYS BY COLOR ON CONSTRUCTION PAPER

Directions:Place colored construction paper on the floor and have a bin of car toys (or any other toy of solid colors) and have them place the colored toys on the colored sheet that matches.

This is a great way to keep them busy learning about colors while having fun.

Supplies Needed:
A bin of toys that are solid colors (you can get creative with this and use anything that is a solid color and matches the construction paper you have)
Colored Constrution Paper

3. CREATE A TOY WASH (OR CAR WASH)

This fun activity is best for wood or tile floors for easy cleanup. Have a couple small plastic bins and place soapy water in the first one and water in the second one. Let the kids wash the toys using a old toothbrush or large paint brush. Not only will they be ocupied having a good time, they will also be sanitizing the toys.

Extra tip: Add in a few drops of thieves essential oil into the soapy water for extra help on sanitizing.

Supplies Needed: 2 small plastic bins Liquid soap Old Toothbrush (or large paintbrush) Toys Optional : thieves essential oil

4. GO TO A VIRTUAL AQUARIUM OR ZOO

There are several aquariums that have virtual live cams where your child can “go to” the aqarium or zoo while being at the comfort of home. Here are a few to check out.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cam Live webcam of the sea otters, penguins, sharks and more.

Georgia Aquarium Enjoy at home learning and live web cams of the aquarium.

Cincinnati Zoo Enjoy a Home Safari on Facebook daily at 3PMET.

San Diego Zoo Watch the live webcams of baboons, pandas, koalas, elephants, tigers, and more.

3. CREATE A TOY WAS (OR CAR WASH)

Extra tip: Add in a few drops of thieves essential oil into the soapy water for extra help on sanitizing.

Supplies Needed: 2 small plastic bins Liquid soap Old Toothbrush (or large paintbrush) Toys Optional : thieves essential oil

4. HAVE FUN WITH YOGA AT HOME

Cosmic Kids is an incredible resource to have fun with yoga, mindfullness and relaxation with kids at home. You can choose between the length of the video, the type of exercise and even energy level.

LOOKING FOR THERAPY SUPPORT THROUGH EVERYTHING? WE OFFER THERAPY FROM YOUR PHONE OR COMPUTER.

We offer Telehealth Therapy from your phone or computer. Most insurances will cover this cost but for those that do not and want to take advantage of this ask about our sliding scale payment options. Contact our client care team to get started.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP WITH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS DURING CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE

GROUPS & SUPPORT

Here is a list of groups and support that will help when it comes to having support on finding things to do with your preschooler while they are home.

FREE Online Support Group with One Of Our Therapists

Being parents is hard enough. Add on all the thoughts, fears, worries and struggles from the crisis and we have a whole new level of difficulty. We are doing free online support groups for the community.

It is a FREE ONLINE support group to help navigate the emotional aspects of these difficult times. It is times like this when extra support is important and we are in this together to help build the community up. Our top priority is the physical health and emotional well-being of our clients and community. This support group will be facilitated by an Elliott Counseling Group therapist.

These support groups are designed to help process fear, normalize the feelings and conversations around COVID-19 and to encourage people to remain empathetic. We will also cover ways to cope with the fear and offer coping mechanisms to get through this difficult time.

Currently we are having a support group on March 18th at 6PMCT and March 19th at 12PMCT. If you’re interested, just click the button below and sign up.

Entertaining Preschoolers during Corona!

This is a group on facebook where you can find a ton of ideas to create and play together.

The Big Life Journal Group : Raising Kids with a Growth Mindset

While the activities in this group are geared for older children, we think you will still find it to be a useful resource.

It was created on behalf of the Big Life Journal (a growth mindset journal for kids) to provide parents, caregivers, relatives, coaches and educators research-based articles and resources related to teaching kids how to have a growth mindset.

Lunch Doodles with Mo

If you have a little one who loves to draw, this lunch time segment would be a great way to incorporate art into their daily routines. Lunch Doodles with Mo is done at 1PMET on weekdays and is geared toward older children but many 3-4 year olds are enjoying his segments too.

We are in this toghether and are here for you.

Being a parent is hard work and we understand all the emotions surfacing from the situation and want you to know we are here for you. We offer Telehealth Therapy from your phone or computer. Most insurances will cover this cost but for those that do not and want to take advantage of this ask about our sliding scale payment options. Contact our client care team to get started.