Here are lots of ideas for children’s lockdown activities if you’re stuck with the kids at home in Calderdale and looking for fun things to do! Over the next few weeks we’ll be adding lots more to this list- so keep checking back to get more inspiration!
Click on the topics below to jump to a section, or just scroll to see them all!
Lockdown Outdoor Activities to do with Children
- Go on an adventure (aka a walk but DONT CALL IT A WALK)
- Ideas to make lockdown walks more fun could include doing a scavenger hunt, taking pictures, playing word games, setting challenges and spotting wildlife
- More ideas to make lockdown walks more fun here.
- Find a new walk (ahem, adventure) to go on, or let your child decide the route to take – Lots of suggestions for walks around Calderdale here.
- Get out on a family bike ride.
- Download the Love Exploring app and find somewhere local to find fairies or dinosaurs
- There are LOADS of activities that you can enjoy in your garden
- How about learning about nature, playing outdoor games, taking rubbings, holding a sports day or making a mud pie?
- Give them some chalk and let them decorate your drive or your front path, it will just wash away with rain!
- Get wrapped up and eat in your garden- why not have a winter BBQ!
- More gardening ideas for kids here!
- Visit a local park or playground.
- Have a go at geocaching
- More ideas on outdoor activities for kids here
Lockdown Indoor Kids Games & Activities
- Scavenger Hunt (save time preparing by asking for items beginning with a certain letter, colour, pattern or even create a rainbow collection- see photo below)
- Den or fort building. Use cushions, sheets, laundry driers or cardboard boxed (which can also be drawn on). All those Amazon deliveries were not in vain!
- Are you after a big long list of play at home ideas? Ta-daaaaa!!! Here’s 101 ideas of things to do with the kids at home.
- Have a Tournament Day of Board Games. Play games throughout the day and the overall winner gets boasting rights for the rest of the week.
- Learn a new skill or teach them your favourite card games.
- Hama beads are creative AND come with the benefit of becoming potential keepsakes. Your children might like to make keychains to give their friends and family once they’re allowed!
- Online health and fitness activities; our children love Cosmic Kids Yoga
- Remember the good times of lockdown with these activities that help capture your lockdown memories
- Feeling like you want to put in minimal effort? Read these ideas on Things to Do when You’re Shattered.
- Hold a performance! Give the kids a little time to prepare- they can perform a skit, show off their talent, even do a shadow puppet show!
- Have toddler at home? They’re sure to enjoy these Messy Play Ideas or here’s a list of indoor activities for babies and toddlers. and some easy no-mess ideas for toddlers!
- Teach them some life skills!
Rainbow Scavenger Hunt
Lockdown Themed Days to Have with Children
Rather than planning another day with the same activities, base them around a themed day. Get dressed up, plan meals based around that theme and do lots of activities. You could include home learning opportunities, stories or even films. It takes a little planning, but in the first lockdown we tried to do one a day.
- Fairy Day (see planning picture below!)
- Pirates Day
- Dinosaur Day
- Superhero Day
- Frozen Day
- Countries (Spanish Day, Mexico Day, France Day)
Lockdown Kids Party Ideas
- Family Disco (with Flashy Lights)
- Family Mini Disco- find a suitable one on You Tube
- Sleepover in the lounge- make dens
- Base them on the themed days above (including going on a family ‘holiday’ to one of the destinations)
- Zoom parties with families- see our ideas for games here
- Movie nights
- Celebrating a birthday? Have a look here for more great ideas.
Looking to do something special without the kids? Have a look at these stay at home date night ideas here.
Lockdown Baking and Cooking to do with children
Lockdown Arts and Crafts
- Storybook crafts. Read a story with your children and make crafts based on the story. The Hungry Caterpillar is a good one to start with, follow with potato prints with different sized caterpillars!
- Now could be the perfect time for your child to learn to knit, crochet or sew.
- Save up your egg boxes and try the wide range of eggbox crafts suggested on Pinterest!
- Use an old plastic milk carton to make a bird feeder (with a follow up activity of bird spotting!
Lockdown Ideas to make meals more fun!
Resources to make learning at home more fun
- Home learning offers us the opportunity to teach children more that just reading and writing, we can teach them about life skills in our households!
- Watch the daily LIVE family science shows with Maddie & Greg here.
- Teach them some Spanish with our guide of easy Spanish words here.
More blogs on things to do with kids at home here.
