Being stuck at home is one thing. Being stuck at home with kids is entirely another. If you feel like you’re going to lose it of you hear “I’m bored” one more time, we feel you. And we want to help. So we rounded up four fun things to learn with your kids.
Check out these options to add some entertainment into your home for both you and your kids.
Explore your family tree
How much do you know about your ancestors? How much do your kids know? Whether you’ve got little ones at home or teens, delving into your family’s history is a great undertaking. Learning where you’ve come from can help your kids better understand themselves. It also creates space to ask any questions they might have about your family.
You can do this the old-fashioned way, calling your parents and other family members to piece your family tree together. Do those calls on speaker so your kids can be a part of the process — and maybe hear some cool stories from their grandparents!
If you want to go further back or don’t have family members to help you fill out your tree, you can also check out resources like FamilySearch or Ancestry.
Learn the constellations
One of the upsides of more people staying at home is that our skies are clearer thank to less commuter pollution. It’s a great time to do some stargazing.
If your kids are old enough to stay up until dark, set up a good, comfy spot to lay and look at the stars. Start with identifying the easiest-to-find constellations and move on from there if your kids are into it. Who knows? You could have a future astronomer on your hands.
Attract and learn about local birds
You don’t necessarily have to venture into nature to check out local fauna. Set up a bird feeder at an outdoor space at your home or apartment and let the birds come to you.
A hummingbird feeder should help you get at least a few of these little beauties to your house since they’re plentiful in Ventura. Here’s a list of fun hummingbird facts you can learn with your kids to make attracting these little guys even more fun.
You can also set out a seed-based bird feeder (you and your kids could even build one if you’re feeling crafty). John Apperson has an impressive photo guide to local birds you and your kids can use to identify any feathered friends who visit your feeder.
Start learning new language
With school fairly up in the air this year, you might be feeling the pressure to ensure your kids are learning at home. A new language is a great way to jump in because you can learn right alongside them. Start with basic vocabulary you can all use around the house to get comfortable speaking the language.
There are plenty of good online language-learning tools to help you get started. And this article has some helpful tips for integrating the new language into your lives at home.
If feeling stuck at home is taking its toll on you, know two things. First, you’re not alone. Secondly, our team is here to talk. If you want to process what you’re feeling, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center.
