Keeping the kids entertained and active at home

FamilyKeeping the kids entertained and active at home

One of the biggest challenges families are facing right now is how to help their children manage in these very difficult and stressful times. Not being able to go to school, see their friends, or even play outside, is boring, frustrating and difficult for them to understand. This means tensions can run high and the intensity of family living without a break or distractions is definitely something to put strain on even the very best relationships.

However, it is also an opportunity to play, develop and learn together as a family and spend quality time together. You need the right tools and coping mechanisms to turn the struggle into a positive experience for all.

La Reserva de Sotogrande is committed to delivering the very best in family lifestyle. From our Kids’ Club, to sports and holiday camps and family friendly beach club and restaurants, we do our very best to keep our youngest guests happy and entertained. So, we’ve asked our Kids’ Club team and our Head Chef to come up with some great games, activities and ideas to keep the kids entertained and active during the lockdown period. We hope they will help you to cope and also to enjoy this family time together.

Keep them active

One of the biggest issues is how to burn energy without being able to go for a walk, go to the park, or play sports. It is essential to get them up and moving in any way you can, as if they have had the exercise they need, everything else will be easier to manage. Here are some ideas –

PE with Joe – Personal trainer and nutritionist Joe Wicks has just launched a daily 30-minute workout for kids every morning at 10am Spanish time to start the day right with exercise.  You can watch it live, or do it after the school work is done via the YouTube channel The Body Coach.

Wii – Combine their love of computer games with movement by getting them to play on the Wii. They will be getting active and not even realising it!

Cosmic Kids Yoga – These yoga videos are particularly designed for kids and offer a range of short 5 minute videos called Brain Breaks which work perfectly to break up school work or other tasks. There are also longer ones based around popular films such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and Trolls, which are really fun. If your little one is feeling a bit stressed, they also have guided meditations.

Kids Bop Kids Dance – The kids from the popular Kids Bop Kids pop group also have a selection of dance along songs that are great for getting kids moving, improving fitness and boosting mood. You can also find Zumba and dance videos to your kids’ favourite songs on YouTube. There’s also Just Dance YouTube channel with game play videos which you can dance along to at home, even if you don’t have the console. Dancing is a great way to move and have fun as a family, so why don’t you join them? Check out these recommended dance and movement YouTube channels for more inspiration.

Practice your sports skills – If you and your kids play tennis, there are lots of great drills that you can do just with your racquet, a ball and a wall to keep your skills up. Golfers can also do swing practice exercises and workouts designed to get everyone ready to hit the golf course once more when they open.

Play party games – Have your very own party with musical statues, balloon games (where you hit the balloon to each other and can’t let the balloon touch the floor), a disco, charades, pin the tail on the donkey, sack race, three-legged race, a limbo competition. Whatever you love to do which will get you all moving and laughing is great. You can even decorate the house and make some party food if you really want to get into the spirit!

 

Keep them interested

GoNoodle Good Energy – Free online resource to help kids and families move and learn together. Includes videos for movement, yoga and mindfulness, downloadable educational activities and recommendations for things to do at home

Reading Eggs – This is a great resource which makes learning to read or improving your reading really good fun. Kids make their way through the map going up levels, they can play games, do spelling exercises and “visit” the library to choose books. Everything earns them eggs, which they can then buy things for their virtual houses. It’s very addictive and educational – win, win! They also have printables and you can do a free trial.

Take a trip to a museum – There are some really great virtual museum tours so you can travel and learn without leaving home.

Enjoy story time – We all know kids love being read to, but we don’t always have the time, so take advantage of the famous children’s authors taking to the internet to read their books to kids stuck at home. Here’s a great list and where to find them.

Listen to a podcast – Podcasts are a great way to keep the kids entertained without adding to screen time and there are brilliant ones designed just for kids such as But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, KidNuZ, Wow in the World and more. Here is a list of the best podcasts for kids.

Play games – Dust off those old boardgames and try them out! Try a new one each day and then choose your top ones to play regularly. Have a weekly fun game night with snacks, cocktails for you and mocktails for them.

Engage in Science – Check out the Science Mum videos. They are doing quarantine specials every day and have some really cool things to learn and try.

Grow stuff – If you have packs of seeds kicking around, or can order growing packs online, this can be a great time to start a little garden, even if you only have a terrace. Local garden centre Agrojardin in Estepona is selling an allotment kit and offering free delivery so you can #stayathome and grow lettuces, onions and tomatoes. Find out more

Of course, it’s OK to also let them watch their favourite shows and play on their computers, but we’d recommend limiting screen time and setting a schedule to make sure they have a good mix of activities, school work and physical activity during their days. This eases boredom and also gives them a structure which makes them feel secure and comfortable with this new regime.

Teach them to cook

Cooking together is lots of fun, it is educational, as they are reading and doing maths and it’s a great skill for them to have for the future. Have a look through cook books, or teach them how to make their favourite meal. Our Head Chef Javier Robollo will be sharing family friendly recipes which you’ll have lots of fun cooking in our next post.

Keep them in contact with others

Arrange a daily video call with friends or family, suggest a virtual play date where they can play Lego together or draw pictures together, even play a game like Pictionary via video. Just try to open them up to their friends and make them feel less isolated.

We hope this article helps you to keep your kids engaged, entertained and interested during the quarantine period. Be kind and patient with each other, make time for yourself and remember it’s OK to not be a super-parent right now. If you’re feeling stressed, or low, do things to make you all feel happy – whatever that may be! Stay safe and #stayathome.

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