With the current stay at home order for many states AND summer coming along, I wanted to share with you 15 Picture Perfect Activities for Kids that you can do to zap the boredom that may be creeping in! Although there have been so many unexpected blessings in staying home with my family for the past month, there are some days that it is hard to think of things to do. And, while I am not against some TV time {how is a girl supposed to get a break around here}, it is important to me to make sure I’m being present with my girls. A fun activity can be great for lifting your spirits too!
Chances are if you are here, you probably feel the same way and are looking for some ideas to get your kids occupied for the rest of this stay at home order (and throughout the summer.) These 15 Picture Perfect Activities are some of my favorite ideas! I love them not only because they are so much fun, but they also create what I call photographable moments.
I love teaching moms to photograph their kids at home in a way that is fun and creates lasting memories. One of the best ways to do that is to simply play with your kids and photograph the natural moments that happen! I go over all of this in my camera class when I do teach it, but wanted to give you some great ideas to try out today, because after all we are stuck at home for a while!
Ok, so let’s dive into these 15 FUN and Picture Perfect Activities for Kids
1. Get hands on by Making Homemade Play Doh or Moon Dough!
People will say this is just for little kids, but I think it’s something any kid will love. There is something about squishy moldable dough that keeps your kids busy and entertained. We love making homemade play doh (here’s the recipe I use for that, that lasts and does not separate and get leaky)
BUT, then I found out about MOON DOUGH! I love it because it has such a smooth texture and it smells SO GOOD. I got the recipe from Brittani Boren Leach on Instagram and we have enjoyed making it in all kinds of colors.
2. Build Some Forts or Go Living Room Camping
Stuck inside on a rainy day? Building a good fort is so much fun! Gather all the blankets you have in your home and start building! Or, if you have a camping tent, you can set that up in the living room or the back yard. This will keep your kids entertained for hours. Get some fun books, a lantern and a big bowl of popcorn to go inside!
3. Teach your Kids Photography (Free Photo Scavenger Hunt)
Do your kids show an interest in taking pictures? A photo scavenger hunt is a great way to teach your kids this new skill. Not sure what to teach your kid’s about photography? That’s ok! I’m here to help. This link will take you to a completely free photo scavenger hunt that I’ve put together for you and your kids. It even includes three great photo tips to get your kids started.
4. Make a Meal (or Dessert together!!)
My girls are obsessed with the Kid’s Baking Championship and love to help me in the kitchen. Grab your favorite cookie or cupcake recipe and your camera to document what is sure to be a fun time!
5. Make a Craft or Repurpose Something
There are so many craft ideas on Pinterest you can do so much with this. But, I absolutely love sewing or knitting useful things for our home! If you have any interest in sewing, Erica Arndt over at Confessions of a Homeschooler has some of the best tutorials and super cute patterns! This is a great activity for kids 8 or older too!
6. Outside Obstacle Course
I find my kids are in the best mood when they are outside! They get to burn off their extra energy and love exploring. Try out these fun instructions on how to set up an outdoor obstacle course.
7. Go Bowling
The other day at Target when I was looking for some sidewalk chalk (back when we could shop freely) I found this super cute outdoor bowling set. It has been so much fun getting to bowl outside in our yard!
8. Have an Outdoor Adventure
Take the kids out to a trail for an adventure! Some of my favorite walking trails in the Shoals are Natchez Trace Parkway and the TVA Reservation in Muscle Shoals. This would be a great time to take your camera and let your kids photograph all the neat things they find. Need help teaching your kids to take pictures? Check out this free photo scavenger hunt! I give your kids 10 things to photograph and three tips on how to create interesting pictures.
9. Start a Garden
This is a great time to get outside and start a garden! You could just plant flowers in your flower beds or try your hand at planting some food! Not sure where to start, get a few cute planters and plant your favorite fresh herbs. You will save so much money on herbs at the grocery store and your food will have so much more flavor.
10. Create a Time Capsule
While we are all bored and tired of being stuck at home, this is truly a historic moment and one day we’ll look back at all the memories! Why not create a time capsule with your kids? You can find a great tutorial on that here.
11. Family Game Day/Night
Pick a day to play board games or card games most of the day! Make some of your favorite snacks and enjoy the laughter that will ensue. If you have younger kids, Candy Land, Surprise Slides, Don’t Break the Ice, and Uno are some of my favorite games to start with!
12. Make your Own Movie Theater
This is so much more fun than just watching a movie! My kids love to make us movie tickets and check them before the movie. We make a huge bowl of popcorn and lay down on the blow up bed full of blankets and pillows. We all watch the movie together with NO PHONES allowed.
13. Have an at Home Spa Day
My girls love doing this! We will do fun diy face masks and paint our nails. What makes you feel pampered? Do a few pampering activities together. Add some sparkling grape juice to take the whole experience up a notch!
14. Water Balloon or Water Gun Fights
It’s a little too early to swim but a good water balloon fight could be just as fun! These water balloons are ingenious and your family will have so much fun throwing them at one another.
15. Dance Party
I do this with my girls everyday after story time. Everyone gets to pick a song and we just dance our hearts out for 3 to 4 minutes! It brings your mood up instantly and helps your kids burn off some of that extra energy.
I sure hope that you found some fun ideas as you were going through my favorite 15 Picture Perfect Activities for Kids! Do you have any other ideas you would love to share? Put them in the comments below! If you try these out, I would love to see the pictures you take over in my Facebook group where I share fun photo tips and you get to hang out with a fun community of other mommas!
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