Discover six productive things for kids to do at home or when they’re bored that will teach them important life skills and enrich your parent-child relationship.
Things for Kids to Do at Home
| #1 – Help with Chores Teach responsibility and share the load. Giving each child chores appropriate to their age level empowers them with life skills. |
| #2 – Plant a Garden Grow a garden — no matter how small. A window box, patio garden, or backyard plot connects kids to nature and gets them active. |
| #3 – Read a Book Give children a range of physical books and a cozy corner to curl up in. Picture books help young children learn about the world. |
| #4 – Arts, Crafts & Construction Get hands-on with crafts and construction to help promote their creativity, motor skills, spatial awareness, and imagination. |
| #5 – Take a Virtual Class Connect to a wider community with virtual classes. Children can focus on developing their skills from the safety and comfort of home. |
Involve Your Kids in Household Chores
When you consider household chores, there are plenty of things for kids to do at home! From the time a child starts to walk, get them used to helping out and you’ll have less to do as the years go by. Toddlers can start by putting their toys away, and older children can take care of the pets, wash the dishes, and sweep the floor. The trick is to do the chore with them together until they’re comfortable doing it on their own.
Plant and Maintain a Flower or Vegetable Garden
The best things for kids to do at home teach skills that will prepare them for life. Teach a child to cook a healthy meal and you’re investing in a lifetime of healthy eating. Teach a child to grow their food, and you’re ensuring that they will always have access to nutritious ingredients. Children love planting, watering, and harvesting, and the meals they prepare are the prize at the end! You will need to help them plan the appropriate plants for your climate and season, as well as ensure that the plants get the sunlight and water they need.
Feed their Minds with a Range of Books
Reading has been among the top things for kids to do when they’re bored since the invention of the printing press. Studies show that having a home library of printed books boosts children’s academic achievement and boosts comprehension — especially when you sit down and read the book together, then talk about it afterward. Make reading an attractive activity by creating a “book nook” with comfy pillows and a colorful blanket.
Get Creative with Arts, Crafts, and Building Sets
Arts, crafts, and construction materials provide things for kids to do at home that can keep them happily occupied for hours on end. Stimulate creativity, spatial skills, and imagination by providing a wide range of materials they can use. They just might surprise you with a puppet theater or popsicle stick house at the end of the day.
Take a Virtual Class
Things for kids to do at home don’t always have to be based at home. Virtual classes provide a way to learn from experts in the fields they’re interested in — from ballet to karate, biology to robotics. Connect with other families who have a similar interest to your child, sponsor a teacher, or find an existing class. The key to making these classes a success is to promote as much interaction as possible with the teacher and their classmates.
Harness Technology to Enrich Your Parent-Child Bond
When we’re looking for things for kids to do when bored at home, reaching for a tablet device is sometimes the most practical option. Fortunately, educational apps can be productive things for kids to do at home with the right programs.