We understand how difficult it has been these past few months for everyone, and now that summer is here, many of us have had to cancel plans and vacations due to COVID and the Illinois Shelter in Place Order. While we know it can be disappointing and disheartening, we also understand that this is how we all stay safe and safety has always been our number-one priority.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss some fun activities that you can do with your children this summer while remaining safe. From nature walks with your family to setting up an obstacle course in your yard, there are plenty of fun and creative activities that children can partake in.
Continue reading to learn more and when it’s time to send your children to daycare, preschool, or kindergarten, keep Toddler Town Daycare in mind. Learn more about our curriculum and contact us when you are ready to enroll your child.
Go for Nature Walk With the Family
Going for a walk with the family is a great way for everyone to get out of the house and get a little exercise. There are plenty of nature centers and parks in Chicago to enjoy such as the West Ridge Nature Preserve and the Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park. Just remember, before you choose a nature area, check their website to ensure they are currently open and make sure that you follow social distancing guidelines.
Create a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are easy to do at home. You can create your own or search for some online. You can have the kids running around the yard or searching inside the house depending upon the weather. Scavenger hunts are a great way to teach children problem solving, creative thinking, and practice reading while having fun.
Have fun With Arts and Crafts
There are a million different arts and crafts projects that you can do at home. Whether you choose to make paper flowers, paint ladybug rocks, or any other fun arts and crafts you can think of, it’s a great way to encourage creativity and help develop motor skills. It’s also a fantastic parent and child bonding experience.
Set Up an Obstacle Course
While this one may take some extra work, it will make a day that your child will not soon forget. You can set up an obstacle course in your living room or in the yard. Items like pool noodles, hula hoops, and balloons make fun and safe obstacles. If you’re having difficulty thinking of ideas on your own, take a look at these ideas that we found on Pinterest to get you started.
Create an Extended Hopscotch Course
Hopscotch is an easy game that you can draw in chalk in your driveway. However, during quarantine, many parents are beginning to create extended versions of this game that include more than just a few skips and hops. Take a look at this one that a mom in Michigan created for her daughter and create your own for hours of fun.
Enjoy a Family Movie Night
After a long day of doing obstacle courses and arts and crafts, a nice relaxing movie night might be just what your kids need. If you have more than one child, you can let them take turns choosing the movie so everyone has something to look forward to. Set a time for everyone to gather around, pop some popcorn, and enjoy a night in with the family.
Cook Together
Cooking isn’t just a fun activity that children enjoy being included in, it can also encourage them to try new healthy foods. When a child gets to contribute to cooking, whether that includes stirring the ingredients together or just peeling some carrots, they are more likely to eat the food and enjoy it, even if it does contain veggies and other healthy ingredients that they usually wouldn’t try.
Your Chicago Daycare Center
While the state of Illinois is currently under the Shelter in Place Order, we know that this won’t last forever. We will be opening back up as soon as it is safe and legal to do so, and we hope that you will keep us in mind when you are ready to send your child to daycare, preschool, or kindergarten. Learn more about our two convenient Toddler Town locations in Chicago and Evanston and contact us when you are ready to enroll your child.