Now that we’re a few weeks into social distancing measures, you may be running low on other inspiration to keep your family entertained in the daytime.
That’s why for this week’s Rich Mix Picks, we’ve put together a list of our favourite resources for helping to keep toddlers, children and teenagers creative at home.
All are free and available online via mobile, so no laptop or desktop computer are required.
Online
Games, digital resources and printable activity packs – if your family want to tune into regular author story times or poetry readings, these are some of the best sites we’ve found.
1. Question the big stuff through storytelling
HEC Global Learning Centre spotted that the spread of COVID19 has also been throwing up all sorts of big questions for us and our children. They’re inviting children and their families, to join the conversation around coronavirus with short stories accompanied by questions to help make sense of our shared situation. When? Stories are shared every Tuesday and Thursday on HEC Global Learning’s YouTube channel
2. Choose a favourite Michael Rosen poem
Beloved children’s poet Michael Rosen has uploaded 200 of his poems to YouTube. We love his casual delivery and relatable topics – such as chocolate cake and the fantastical story of Till Owlyglass.
3. Take your first steps at learning to code
Beginners to advanced-level coders will find something to occupy them with Raspberry Pi’s coding activities.
4. Download an activity pack
If you have a printer, Phaidon have collated lots of colouring pages for children. Many of the activity PDF sheets can also be read off a screen and responded to on paper, so you can still enjoy the activities at home.
5. Learn about some new perspectives
One for older children or teenagers, Soul Pancake’s YouTube channel shares stories from people all around the world and myth-busts stereotypes, or just spends five minutes asking why things are the way they are.
Families come together at Rich Mix for Storyplay
Offline
No need for a screen with these suggestions. Get involved with craft challenges and creative activities that require little to no screen time.
6. Share your classic family recipes
Cooking with children doesn’t have to be restricted to sweet things. Get them involved with measuring out dry ingredients or simple recipes. The Guardian has rounded up a few super easy dishes, including a three-ingredient dhal and pasta dishes. Or think back to the first dishes you learnt to cook!
7. Get creative with things you already have at home
From shadow drawing with dinosaurs to sewing for the first time, Tottenham-based Instagram Procreations have a knack of turning items you may already have to hand into easy-to-achieve daily projects. They also tailor them to older and younger children, so if you’re having to occupy a wide range of ages, this would suit you.
8. Make your own pinball machine – from recycling!
The Science Museum has some brilliant resources for children online, including making a pinball machine to help children learn the science behind force and motion (and use up some recycling in their creations!).
9. Learn how to write a film review
Our cinema partners Into Film have opened up some of their members-only resources to the public. They have a brilliant film review template where you can learn to critique anything you watch on screen. If you’re ready to go public, take part in their social media film review competition – it only has to be 100 words long.
10. Create an Op Art Plant Pot
Learn about the optical illusions of Bridget Riley’s work, or just enjoy sprucing up some plant pots for your windowsill shrubs! Tate Kids has some great activities inspired by famous artists or the patterns children can spot out in nature – even from your garden or local park.
Top image credit: Friday Late Spectacular: Wild Ones with Crick Crack Club
