MOM! I’m bored… there’s nothing to do. This is the repetitive sounds my kids are making now that we are all trapped together and they are unable to play with their friends so whether you are reading this because you too are stuck at home with kids during the Covid-19 outbreak or later down the line we have gathered some ideas to help you when these kiddos are just as anxious as the rest of us. If you try any of these out don’t forget to tag us on Facebook @F4MQueenCreek and Instagram @fit4momqueencreek.

·Add a spin to the ever-popular game of hopscotch! Instead of it just being a counting and hoping game give them a Simon says version by following these simple steps or add your own twists! Draw your start box, make your next box an action word like hop forward __ spaces *we use a dice to see how many spaces they hop forward so that the game is different every time*, make another space that says spin and they can just spin or roll the dice again, add a space that says hop, hop backward __ spaces, hop on one foot, two feet or all fours like frog. Add in spaces that make them clap, sing, twirl, twist, bend, touch their toes, roar and stomp, etc. Have fun with it!

· Make your own bubbles and find things around the house that could be used as blowers! Here is an easy recipe for amazing bubbles:

3 c water

1 c dawn dish soap for best results but any brand will work

½ c corn syrup or bubble solution (amazon!)

Add all ingredients into a bowl and slowly mix together. Pour into a plastic bottle with screw top or bottle that you can close and viola! You have bubbles. If you want to add a twist you can add a few drops of food coloring and let them blow bubbles on paper to get a fun art project too.

· Squirt Gun art. Do you have an endless supply of squirt guns that are on their last limb? Fill them up with a few drops of paint and water and give the kids a target. It’s a creative way to have fun while creating master pieces. Or put everyone in white shirts and goggles and let them squirt each other!

· Ice toys - Oh no! Elsa has gone mad and froze all of the *insert toy here*. This is a fun, engaging way to promote problem solving and keeps kids busy unless its 115 degrees outside but take a few toys and freeze them in some water in different size containers. When frozen set them outside or in a safe place and give your little monsters different tools to try and rescue their toys with. If they are older you can try a hammer but make sure you are carefully supervising them with tools. We do warm water and droppers, squirt guns and when my youngest gets really fed up he likes to throw it until they break free.

· Paint water balloons - This one is A LOT of fun and also EXTREMELY messy! If you have any water balloons left over from last summer grab those and some good sturdy white cardstock (you can always put everyone in white shirts and goggles for this too). Fill each balloon with 1-3 tsp of acrylic paint color of your choice and water until they are close to bursting but not easily poppable when not in use. As your filling put them in a giant bowl that you wont mind paint in if they break in the bowl and add in as many as you want to play with. Once they are filled give your kids a safe space and let them fly! You can set the paper up on a board, wall or in the grass but remember the paint will splatter when the balloons burst and paint will go EVERYWHERE so be prepared. Allow for an area where its okay if all of the paint does not wash off and then there is also the pickup of the balloon pieces but while the games last it is a lot of fun.