7 Genius Ways To Keep Your Kids Amused Indoors

Poor weather is definitely a reason to drive kids indoors, but that doesn’t mean they have to drive you crazy. In lieu of letting them veg out in front of the television, keep them entertained with a fun yet educational online activity. Whether it’s learning a new skill or perfecting an existing one, there are copious resources available for kids of all ages.

Have A Dance Party

There’s no reason your kids can’t keep moving just because they’re stuck indoors — especially considering the national child obesity rate is 18.5 percent. For exercise that doesn’t feel like an arduous sweat session, set the kids up with some dance-like workout videos on YouTube. Because they will need plenty of room to move around, watching them on a television set in a family room or furnished basement is best. Along with understanding the importance of physical fitness, your kids will learn valuable coordination skills.

Encourage Their Inner Author

Kids love to create and there are few better ways to do just that than by reading -- and telling --stories. Spark their sense of wonder by downloading the OOKS app. This ingenious program allows children to customize their very own story through a choose-your-own-adventure type game. As they explore this online wold, their choices are logged and OOKS designs a paperback book based on the child’s unique story line. This book can be ordered at anytime and will be treasured by your child for years to come. Make Science and Math Fun Even if science isn’t your kid’s favorite subject, it’s likely they enjoy making something fizz, pop, change color, or grow. Not only does making an at-home science project teach kids valuable information such as what causes a chemical reaction, the experience is really fun, too! At the same time, you can foster your child’s love of math -- or at least teach them to appreciate the way it fits into everyday life. For instance, when you go to the grocery, have your child keep a running total of how much you spend, including sales tax if applicable.

Make Science and Math Fun

Even if science isn’t your kid’s favorite subject, it’s likely they enjoy making something fizz, pop, change color, or grow. Not only does making an at-home science project teach kids valuable information such as what causes a chemical reaction, the experience is really fun, too! At the same time, you can foster your child’s love of math -- or at least teach them to appreciate the way it fits into everyday life. For instance, when you go to the grocery, have your child keep a running total of how much you spend, including sales tax if applicable.

Master A Life Skill

Even if your kids don’t aspire to be a gourmet chef, cooking is a skill that they will use for the rest of their life, whether they’re making meals for themselves, their family, or in a caregiver situation down the road. Cooking also teaches science and math skills and the importance of follow instructions correctly.

Go On A Virtual Field Trip

Very few kids don’t enjoy a field trip and thanks to the internet and cell phones, they no longer have to be in school to take one. Virtual field trips via apps and websites provide the opportunity to take location-based walking tours, visit a museum, conduct scientific field work — even take a tour in another country!

Make An International Friend

Aside from travel, another fun way your kids can learn about other cultures is with an international pen pal. There are several safe and certified resources (including some that teachers use) that connect American youngsters with someone of a similar age in another part of the world. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about topics such as school, hobbies and local culture and cuisine. Having a pen pal in 2018 is a lot easier than it was when you were a kid because all of the interaction can be done online instead of snail mail.

Overcome A Challenge

Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder and approximately 70-85 percent of children placed in special education classes are affected by it. There are also several online tools and activities to help children overcome this difficult challenge in an engaging way. Many of these resources were created by accredited organizations that specialize in treating dyslexia, so you don’t have to worry about them not being trustworthy or credible.

There’s nothing wrong with letting your kids watch television or play with their toys, but there should also be time slated for activities that truly stimulate the brain in an educational way. Learning something new or becoming better at something they feel challenged with will help build self-confidence.

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