Blowing bubbles is a simple activity that’s a lot of fun for kids and requires little preparation. Best of all, there’s no cleanup.
I’ve worked from home since before my sons were born, so I spend an alarming amount of time at home. Suddenly, my entire family is here too: My fiancé, our four sons, three cats and two dogs. It’s one crazy life!
Our sons are older now: 13, 14, 15 and 16, but I remember so well what it was like to have little ones who need constant supervision—and often constant entertaining! My hat is off to the parents out there of babies, toddlers and young school-agers.
Here are some ways to keep the wee ones amused—without leaving your nest!
- Make an encouraging sign on poster board, or even printer paper, for passersby and hang it in a front window.
- Fold construction paper or printer paper in half. Use stickers and crayons or markers to create thank you cards. Then mail them to hospitals, fire departments, police departments, post offices and grocery stores to thank the people who are keeping our community safe and strong.
- If the weather’s nice head outside and blow bubbles. Don’t have any bubbles on hand? Combine 6 cups of water and 1 cup of dish soap in a bowl. Stir gently. Add ¼ cup corn syrup and gently stir some more. Use a bubble wand or straw to blow bubbles.
- Offer treats to delivery people. Have any individually wrapped candy or cookies on hand? Put them in a bag, write “for delivery person” on it and hang it on your door for the next delivery person or mail carrier.
- Play hide and seek. It’s fun to play indoors, outdoors, or both. (I remember times when I found a really good hiding place and got a nice little Mommy break while my kids searched for me!)
- Do a special project. Now’s a great time to arrange photos in an album, begin a journal together, write a story or poem or create a new decoration for your home. For example, find a piece of wood or cardboard. Have everyone dip their hand in paint and stamp it on the wood/cardboard, randomly or in a shape like a circle. Then you can decorate it with inspiring words like hope, love and joy. Or you could write words to describe your family’s strengths.
Stay safe and well!
Jennifer Bright is a mom of four sons, co-founder and CEO of family- and veteran- owned custom publisher Momosa Publishing, co-founder of the Mommy MD Guides team of 150+ mommy M.D.s, and co-author of “The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years.” She lives in Hellertown.