5 tips to keep children who stay at home fun (engaged)

With the coronavirus turning our lives upside down and we've been asked to stay home as much as possible, we're all having to do things very differently than we're used to. It's not nothing that's going on around us right now. The measures demand a lot, but it is also so badly needed. That's why we have tips for you to make and keep it as cozy as possible at home.

Maybe you also have a good tip that you want to share? Gladly! Leave it in the comments below or email us so we can share it.

At Happlify we try to think differently about the situation we are in now. Not so much by giving it a forced positive spin, but by discovering the bright spots where it is dark. Do you think that's a good idea? Sign up HERE for our weekly Happy thoughts newsletter so you don't miss anything positive!

And then here are the very first tips and inspiration for a pleasant time with children staying at home.

1 - Make a clear schedule

This will probably take shape from school when distance learning takes some getting used to, but try to agree on a good schedule. Here and there we found some schedules via social media showing that everyone has their own pace. We noticed immediately with our son that such a schedule provides stability - and therefore also peace. Here are a few useful examples.

From left to right: @Ikbenbaukje.nl - @Yaelhaller - @Anouk.bink

2 - Go outside

The motto is to stay at home, which does not (yet) directly mean 'stay inside'. Fresh air is super important. We are currently starting the day here anyway with 1.5 hours of digging holes and playing frisbee on the beach. The bag holds two thermos cups of hot coffee, a dopper with juice and some fruit. In the afternoon, after school work, there is a little ball kicked outside. In addition, I realize all too well how blessed we are to have the beach as a backyard. But any 'outside' is of course good. Take a detour to a playground, a walk in the woods or... already spend a lot of time in the garden or on the balcony.

3 - Attention to your 'outdoors' (and grow your own food and flowers together)

At first glance, you may soon be finished in the garden or on the balcony , but you can do a lot and if you are a little creative with it, it never gets boring there. Give your 'outside' attention again and get it ready for spring. Plant some flower bulbs together for later, sow a vegetable garden and take care of it together, provide a sitting area and have lunch outside when the first rays of the sun are out. And you can also make sums with chalk on the sidewalk!

Flower bulbs, the start of your own vegetable or herb garden starts very easily with a box like this one . Handy and also very nice to send to someone else as a gift.

4 - Create Memories

This situation is strange, and precisely because it is different, your children will remember this time. So try to make something beautiful out of the moments you have to spend together. Try to minimize screen time, give your full attention when you can. Craft together, put together a puzzle, play old-fashioned board games with the family, bake something delicious together, have them cook dinner... Now is the time to make memories. Celebrate life together!

5 - Only

There are now also many people on their own now and lonely. Find out who that might be in your area. Build in facetime moments, make sure that grandpa and grandma are called every now and then. Send greeting cards, let your kids make a nice drawing for that old aunt. Pay attention if you can, because I think being at home with children is a gift compared to weeks all alone.

More inspiration

This is just a start, in the coming blog posts many more tips and inspiration to get through the coming period as positively as possible. You will now find some nice additional tips on these blogs:

• Jewels with flair - To do's at home
• Boef & Aap - 10 activities with children for the garden

At Happlify we try to think differently about the situation we are in now. Not so much by giving it a forced positive spin, but by discovering the bright spots where it is dark. Do you think that's a good idea? Sign up HERE for our weekly Happy thoughts newsletter so you don't miss anything positive!

💛 Take care

Author - Mariko Naber
Mariko is the happy brain behind Happlify. Together with partner Mark she runs Sell ​​your stuff online, branding agency Loaded ink BNO en Atelier Naber . She loves feel good, random acts of kindness, meatballs, chocolate mousse, family time, zee, piña colada, sugar & spice and everything nice 💛