“7 Educational Activities Kids Can Do Indoors”
Whether it’s a blustery day in the fall or a snow day during the winter, poor weather means your kids are going to be indoors looking for something to do. However, instead of letting them veg out in front of the television, steer them toward educational technology or hands-on activities where they can keep themselves busy with fun ways to learn about different subjects.
Teach on a Tablet
The latest technology makes it easier than ever for kids to learn a variety of subjects in a fun way. For example, kids can access educational apps on the Apple store — like music composition or language learning — then download and use them on a tablet like the Apple iPad 10.2. Some of these apps take on the form of augmented reality, so your kids can learn about subjects with the use of advanced technology. Though a tablet is smaller than a computer, it’s just as powerful and is more portable, allowing your kids to learn and play anywhere.
Career-Based Learning
Even if choosing an established career is way down the road, children can learn a lot of practical knowledge that’s applicable in everyday life — like teaching kids about real estate. Real estate is a complex field that requires skills in math, science, English, social studies, and home economics. By incorporating real estate-based lessons into your curriculum, you can help students gain valuable skills in practical math application, presentation giving, forming a persuasive argument, earth science and so much more. Furthermore, studies show that career-based learning prompts youngsters to be more motivated students.
Hands-On Experiments to Learn Science
There are numerous benefits that come from kids performing science experiments. Some of the educational advantages include learning about safety, drawing and writing to hypothesize results, problem-solving math skills, predicting, understanding cause and effect and discovering why a chemical reaction occurred.
Creative Art Classes
One of the benefits of art is that it can have a calming effect, so it’s a great activity to suggest on a day when your kids are squirrely. Digital art classes offer unique and interesting projects such as creating a bouquet of mixed media flowers, learning how to draw accurate facial features, beefing up photography skills, and much more. Some of these projects are also good for adults, too, so consider arranging a time when the entire family can engage in an art project together.
Online Book Clubs
There are numerous online reading courses for kids that offer opportunities for boosting their reading comprehension skills. After reading the story — or having it read to your child by famous performers or actors — there’s the opportunity to engage in Q and A sessions, activities like hands-on projects and even donate to charity.
Get Moving with Dance
Believe it or not, you can find lessons for almost every type of dance style online — many are catered to kids. Along with having fun, your kids will stay fit in the process. Dancing is an ideal activity that sneaks in exercise. About 17 percent of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese, so teaching good fitness habits early on is important for long-term health.
Don’t Overlook Hiring Some Help
Here’s a trick you may not have considered: hiring a local sitter to help you during these rainy or overheated days. If you have several children, or the neighborhood kids tend to gather at your home, bringing in a babysitter to help wrangle everyone will make the day a little less stressful.
Online learning is a bit like going back to the basics, but with the benefit of digital technology to make activities more robust than ever before. Encourage your kids to mix things up so they don’t become bored. They don’t have to be perfect at everything, but trying new projects will help them discover their strengths.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Written By:
Julie Morris
Life and Career Coach
julie_morris@juliemorris.org | juliemorris.org
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