Bonding during lockdown
Lockdown. A word that wasn’t on our communal radar until recently, but has turned our world upside down. The days may feel really long when you’re stuck at home, but there’s a silver lining. This could be a great opportunity to bond with your kids! We’ve got three awesome crafts that the whole family can enjoy, and we promise none of them involve glitter (because the only way to get rid of that stuff is to actually move house, which isn’t happening any time soon).
Here are our top picks to stir up some fun instead of going stir crazy:
Something simple and sweet…
Pebble pigs
All you need is a few stones, a plate, some paint and an egg carton. Kids are guided through an art project that transforms the pebbles into pigs, but you can use your imagination and make whatever creatures you like, from ladybirds to bumble bees! Why not try using the finished pebble characters in made-up story performances for the kids, or as a table centrepiece for tonight’s dinner!
About the show
Hands Up is a series of short and uncomplicated crafts that highlight how creative you can be with household items. Excellent for when you only have a few minutes to get craft inspiration, you’ll love the straightforward instructions and inventive results. You and your kids can make panda pots out of plastic bottles, theatre puppets with balloons, dream keepers from paper plates, or even bionic hands from cardboard and straws. A lovely way to make use of extra bits and pieces you have lying around!
Something super gross…
Edible poop
Yep, that’s right. Hear us out… Poop may be a hazard of the job for parents, but for kids, it’s a go-to source of comedy. What kid doesn’t love a good poop joke? This craft will be a hit with your kiddos, and they’ll be extra impressed if you take a bite along with them!
You’ll need chocolate bars, biscuits, golden syrup and a strong constitution, and soon you’ll be shaping your very own edible poop!
About the show
Created by the Royal Institution, ExpeRimental brings fascinating science experiments into your own home using easy-to-get materials. You and your kids can make fizzy bottle rockets, colour-changing cabbage juice, homemade parachutes, balloon car racers, rubber band cannons and even lava lamps.
ExpeRimental aims to give viewers the confidence and ideas to explore, question and test some of the fundamentals of science with children. Never considered doing science at home with the kids? Don’t worry – this show is all about simple instructions and using stuff you’ll likely have at home.
Dr. Gail Cardew, Director of Science and Education at the Ri, said the goal of the series is to “spark the natural curiosity of children at an early age through play and to set them on a lifelong course of scientific exploration and investigation.”
With ExpeRimental, you can get your kids interested in chemistry and physics through cool crafts. You might even learn something too!
Something extra crafty…
Super Slap Shot
You might already have the supplies if you’re a crafting super star, but most of us will need an online order of supplies for this one. The results are worth it, since you’ll end up with a fun game that can be played all Lockdown long! It’s called ‘Super Slap Shot’, and it’s like table hockey, but better. Straws instead of sticks, and pom poms instead of pucks. It’s the craft that keeps on giving!
About the show
Super Mighty Makers blends caring with crafting. Real kids share personal problems and the team creates a craft to help them. Like when Malik writes in to say he’d like something to keep his grandpa active, that exercises his lungs – the Super Slap Shot is the answer! Each Maker Mission focuses on designing a craft that’s fun, useful, and helps to solve a problem.
Even if you can’t source the materials, you’ll still have a great time just watching the episodes with your mini makers.
We’ve made all of the above episodes available for FREE on Azoomee so you can make the most of your time at home. It’s important to focus on the positives in these tough times, and having extra bonding time with your kiddos is definitely a plus!