Quarantined Week 10: 6 Activities to Change Up the Daily Routine

While much is still uncertain surrounding what the summer months hold, we can take solace in the little things — playing outside in the sun, being present in the moment, and video chats with loved ones. But when you need to shake up your routine a bit, you’ve come to the right place as it’s time for your weekly list of activities!

1. Create Your Own Home Theater:  With movie theaters closed for the foreseeable future, you might be missing that movie-going experience (I know I am). Yes, we can watch all kinds of movies at home on our TV’s and some drive-in theaters are even making a comeback. But for some, you might just prefer the comfort of your home to a drive-in at the moment. So why not create your own home theater? First, find a spot in your yard, garage, or even a place indoors where you could hang a sheet. Make sure you have ample room for seating. Next, you’ll want to invest in a projector (if you don’t already have one). Check out these options on amazon. For your screen, it is easiest to go with a simple white sheet that you more than likely have on hand in the linen closet. For sound, sometimes the projector volume isn’t loud enough, especially if you’re outside. Grab that bluetooth speaker you have lying around and connect to your device for the perfect surround sound that will have you feeling nostalgic for theaters. Lastly, and perhaps the best part, is to find your perfect level of comfort. Bring out all those cozy blankets, favorite snacks and drinks, and you are set for the perfect family movie night! Want to add a touch of mood lighting? Hang some outdoor string lights above the screen or around the yard for that special home movie experience.The kids might love the set up so much that they may want to leave it up all summer long. 
2. Blind Artist: This fun game is a combination of Pictionary and Catchphrase! Gather the family and break off into pairs. To play, you will need to sit in a position so that you are back-to-back, not facing one another. One person is given a picture (of anything), and the other is given a plain paper and pencil. The role of the picture holder is to describe what is in it without actually telling what the picture is. The artist, in this case the person with the paper and pencil, will then use their creativity and imagination to sketch a picture according to the description the other is giving them. Once finished, compare them to see if they match or are similar for the most part! Change it up by playing multiple rounds with different pictures, and if you have an even number of players, team up against each other to see who finishes first and has the closest match. 
3. Seek by iNaturalist: On your next walk, take your nature knowledge up a notch with the Seek app! Safe for kids, this app is great for families who want to spend time exploring nature together. Simply download it from the app store, go outside and point the Seek Camera at living things. From wildlife, to plants and fungi, you will be able to identify and learn about organisms that are living all around you. What’s more? Seek is unlike most nature apps I have stumbled upon as you are able to earn badges for seeing different types of species — birds, amphibians, plants, fungi — and participating in challenges! If you’re a Pokemon Go fanatic, this app is for you. Both are similar with discovering new species and earning badges, but Seek helps you to learn about real living organisms! Wait, Pokemon aren’t real? 
4. Arts & Crafts: Once again, it is time for a weekly arts and crafts project. This one is a Clothespin Catapult. One thing I have learned is that kids love launching things into the air and making them fly. So why not get crafty and have them make their own catapult? Here’s what you’ll need: a clothespin, block of wood (or something similar), milk/juice cap, sturdy glue, and markers. First, glue the clothespin onto the center of a small block of wood. Then, glue the milk/juice cap to the top of the clothespin near the end of the “closed” side of the clothes pin. What comes next is optional — if the kids would like to decorate their catapults, have them use the markers to make it colorful! Once the glue is dry, it’s time for the fun part; launching! Take some small objects (that won’t cause damage or harm) and begin the launch. Try items such as mini marshmallows or pom-poms and watch them soar! See how far each travels. Does the size and density of an object impact how far it will go? Mixing arts and crafts with physics promotes endless fun for all. Happy launching! 
5. Create a Mini Jungle Terrarium: If the kids aren’t into gardening, I highly recommend having them create a terrarium instead. They’re simple; can be kept inside; be closed or open; and take very minimal care. If you choose to make a closed terrarium, it should be kept mostly in the shade. Moss, ferns, and small plants work best in closed ones. If you would like to go the open route, it can be kept in the sun or in the shade. You can use the same plants as in a closed terrarium, but also succulents, orchids, air plants, and any small indoor plant work. If you don’t have access to a plant shop, many of these items can be found outside, in your yard or in the park. For both, you need any type of large glass jars. For planting, gravel, small pebbles and potting soil work best. Additionally, you can add some treasures to your terrarium such as seashells, rocks, branches, and more. To begin, start with putting your base layer of soil or pebbles at the bottom of the jar. Then, add some rocks to help create soil mounds. In addition to adding the plants as mentioned above, give it a personal touch with anything else you might like to add. The choice is yours and you will come out with a final product that will last for months without any maintenance!
6. Create a Family Cookbook: One of the best things we can do while staying home is working on perfecting those cooking skills! Many of us have been having homemade family dinners, maybe more now than before. Why not compile all of those recipes you have been working on into a family cookbook! Have the kids help by adding artwork or pictures to the pages and have them pick out there favorite meals they’ve had during quarantine! This is a fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, spend time together cooking and enjoying a meal. You will end up with a cookbook that can be passed on for generations with delicious family meals to be had!