Coping in Lockdown with Kids
- Casey Bennett
- Sep 22, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 17, 2021
My tips and ideas for surviving extended lockdowns with kids.
Everyone’s situation is different so all of our experiences will be different, as will the lengths we go to in order to stay sane. My youngest has turned both 1 & 2 during lockdown, my middle child has basically done 3 & 4 yr old kinder at home and my eldest has done the majority of grade 1 & 2 at home. Thankfully he got his prep year as normal so he could already read and write very well. My husband couldn’t “work from home” either so continued to go to work as usual, which was obviously a great thing! However it left me home alone with the 3 kids. I’m obviously no expert #mentalhealthissues, but after 6 lockdowns in Melbourne where we have officially broken the world record for cumulative days under lockdown AND with some of the strictest conditions in the world, I think I’ve learnt a thing or two....
1. Make screen-time your friend.
I know we are always trying to avoid screen time, but the reality is that it’s the way of the future for our kids. They are going to spend so much of their lives in front of a screen. So why make things harder on yourself in these unprecedented times, by fighting it?!
It’s all about balance. That’s the key. Like most things in life. If it’s a bright sunny day, obviously we should encourage them to go and play outside. But if it’s freezing or raining, you don’t have a backyard suitable for kids, or you can’t get to a park (or aren’t allowed), screen time can be ok. We just need to moderate how many hours they are on there at a time. Research suggests its better to be broken up into chunks throughout the day, rather than 1 long session. Also being aware of what they are using it for. Osmo make great learning resources for the kids to use on their ipads. Reading Eggs is also wonderful (code for 30 day free trial on website). Mathletics have a program for little kids as well as school aged programs and what’s a bit of Cocomelon going to hurt anyone?! (except perhaps drive the adults crazy)
Download the "Beacon:Cyber Safety app" for trusted and up-to-date information to help navigate the ever-changing online world, for you and your family.
2. Tickles.
Honestly, nothing makes everyone smile more than a tickle fight or a tickle monster! It’s also a great way to introduce the concept of consent. The understanding that even though we all seem to be having fun, the second anyone says stop, you must stop. Even if you think they are joking. With young kids, the message can really can be that subliminal, but still have an impact. As well as being loads of fun!
3. Send a paper hug.
Send your Grandparents or other loved ones a paper hug. This activity went down a treat in our household and the grandparents still have the note on their fridge, over a year later! Using some butchers paper, or if you don’t have any, regular paper sticky taped together will work just fine. Draw the outline of the kids with their arms outstretched (which can lead to a lot of giggles as well) then let them write their names and decorate it. Below, I've attached the link to a rhyming letter template you can use to send it.
4. Treasure Hunts.
Find a reserve or wooded area and let them run wild! To provide a little bit of structure if you prefer it, you could print them off a Scavenger hunt! https://www.justanothermummyblog.com has a great printable for both an indoor and outdoor scavenger hunt! This will often help them to get started if they aren’t sure what to do. However games of tiggy, walking along fallen logs, collecting leaves, jumping over puddles, running down mounds, cartweels, hide and seek, the possibilities are endless! I know a certain 5 year old who likes to pretend a dinosaur is chasing him! Haha.
5. RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness).
Why not bake some cookies or hand write some notes to drop at neighbours doors. It’s a great way to teach kindness to the kids and can end up making you all feel happier than even the person receiving the item. We chose to make Smiley cookies and although we didn’t deliver them to “random” houses, we delivered them to people we knew within walking distance of our house. In these Covid times I figured that hand decorated cookies arriving at your door from someone unknown, may not be the best idea!
6. Limit news.
Limit the amount of news you watch in a day and MUTE any social media accounts that are too negative. Watching what you consume is really important for your mental health.
7. Games.
The greatest thing we did in Lockdown 1 was give in to our resistance of buying a games console. We had always said we never would, haha, but here we are. We got an old Nintendo Wii console off marketplace and as a family, it has been so much fun and created loads of fun memories. I know the Wii is an old console, but we love it. We tend to all be up on our feet when playing so it keeps us active. There are loads of family friendly games to play and Craig and I both loved the “blast from the past” that is the Super Mario Bros. game. We also love the dancing games like “Just Dance”. So funny to watch and gets everyone up and moving.
8. Fairy House
Using sticks and leaves from the backyard, build a fairy house. You may have all sorts of things you can use to make it beautiful. In our house full of boys we didn’t have anything but they still loved the process of building it.
9. Exercise.
The benefits of fresh air for both the kids and yourself, cannot be undervalued. We certainly don’t get outside every day. But the days we do, when we go over to the reserve or park, walk to get a coffee from the shops, or even just a walk around the block, puts us all in better spirits!
10. Puzzles.
We have the full variety of difficulty in this house but these are a fabulous way to pass the time as well as make that brain work! If it’s a particularly big or great jigsaw, check out my jigsaw hack as an easy way to keep it!
11. Colouring.
Especially colouring with positive affirmations to help create mental wellbeing both for ourselves and the kids. Below is a link to a free download of one of my KIDS colouring sheets. There is also an adult one available in the FREE DOWNLOADS section.
12. Obstacles.
Obstacle courses in the backyard. Race each other or race the clock to get through it. Can also be done inside.
13. Dig a pool.
Hand dig the hole and build a pool like we did. Haha DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT DO THIS!
14. Get headphones for yourself!
To help block out the constant noise, whinging and replace it with uplifting tunes.
15. Crafts & sensory activities.
Things like Play Dough and Kinetic sand are amazing. I'm not an expert with these as I hate the sensation of playdoh, sand, dirt or slime. But I did a few Insta posts on a few different activities I did with my kids and I'll pop the links below.
If you don't mind Play Dough and Slime, and want to find some awesome options, check out www.doughmydearplaydough.com
Lastly, I would just say to do what works best for you and your family. The guilt can be overwhelming when you feel like there is too much pressure to be "making the most of lockdown" so be sure to cut yourself some slack. These are just my ideas and I hope they might give you a little bit of inspiration.
Please leave a comment if you found anything particularly useful or want any extra information.
Let me know if you utilise the downloads. I love to hear from you guys, celebrate the wins and share ideas. This is a community after all!
Love and Lockdown strength to you all.
Casey xx
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