LOCKDOWN: 10 fun things to do with kids this half term

As a parent myself I know only too well how this pandemic has affected our little people and how challenging it can be to provide them with fun and engaging activities during lockdown. 

That is why we here at The Worcester News have compiled this list of ten fun, cheap and safe activities for you and your family. Enjoy and have a brilliant half term!

1. Go on a nature hunt

Wrap up warm and set off on an exciting adventure in your local surroundings - even if it's to your own back garden. Search for pine cones, squirrels and listen out for robins. The eagled eyed child with an explorer’s spirit will love doing the Woodland Trust's winter scavenger hunt - prepare for creepy crawly overload. This activity will keep them busy and will provide an opportunity to learn about the wildlife in their own back gardens.

2. Turn your living room into a campsite

Perfect for those chilly winter nights, turning your living room into a campsite brings all the fun of camping indoors. Pitch up a tent, or just make a blanket fort! Hang up some fairy lights, and settle in for an evening of reading stories or singing songs. When it comes to a midnight snack, smores are much more delicious than toasted marshmallows and can be made quickly in the microwave - no burning of little hands! Check out this kid-friendly recipe here.

3. Make a bird feeder 

Get up close and personal and enjoy wildlife at its best with a DIY bird feeder. This is a great way to teach your kids all about different bird species that reside in the UK - from robins to goldfinches - click here for a super bird identifier to assist in your search. Why not make a checklist and see which birds visit your new feeder and how often? 

Find inspiration for the easiest bird feeders to make here.

4. Bake something!

It doesn’t really matter what, kids love to bake! That being said, as long as they can lick the sugary spoon, watch their creation bake in the oven, and eat it afterwards.

Your little one will love the interaction with you, plus you are teaching them something without them realising it. Baking teaches so many skills including patience, teamwork and creativity. Here are some ideas to get you started.

5. Write a letter or draw a picture and send to a friend

The art of letter writing seems to be making a comeback as kids are forming penpal groups to write to other children.

If you want to keep it local - and make sure they're coming from a trusted group - then try a local Facebook group such as the Worcestershire Mums Network.

Failing that you could suggest it to the parents at school to get the children writing to one another while they're off.

LOL Surprise is doing its bit to get kids writing and has launched its own BFF Pen Pal campaign. To help combat feelings of separation during social distancing, the toy brand has released a number of free postcard templates to download from its website.

6. Try some Yoga

Cosmic Kids is a great Youtube channel packed with free Yoga videos for your little ones. The presenter Jaime engages children of all ages by telling stories whilst moving in and out of various poses. Yoga and mindfulness provides so many benefits including supporting learning, healing, stress release and everyday life. 

What's even greater about this is you can stick the video on sit back and enjoy a cup of tea - or get up and get involved! It's up to you! Click here for Cosmic Kids Youtube Channel. 

7. Take a virtual trip to the museum 

Many museums, art galleries and public spaces have closed their doors, but that doesn't mean their treasures are lost.

Families can take virtual tours of museums and galleries, including the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Guggenheim in New York City, thanks to Google Art and Culture.

One of the highlights is Britain's Natural History Museum, which offers virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, an interactive experience about Hope the blue whale and audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

The stunning visuals will keep your little ones entertained - and there are plenty of interesting facts to pick up along the way, too. 

8. Go deep sea diving

Holidays overseas might be out of the question at the moment but the wonders of the deep are still just a click away thanks to live and recorded video streams offered by aquariums around the world. 

One of our favourites is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, in California, which offers streams of a number of its tanks and enclosures, featuring sharks, jellyfish and turtles. 

9. Pepple painting

Painting pebbles has become a commemorative mark of lockdown, along with rainbows of all shapes and sizes hung in windows.

Pebble art is a great gift to give to a stranger - simply create your designs and dot them around during your daily exercise in walking trails or parks for people to find - you’ll brighten up their day.

Something as simple as felt tips does the trick on lighter rocks, with children decorating them however they want - some making funny faces out of them.

If you want them to last longer outside then you'd be better using acrylic paint coated with varnish to give an extra layer of protection.

10. Don't overdo it 

Children really don't need that much, as long as they are loved, they will be happy. It's easy to feel disheartened during lockdown especially when you can't do the things you usually do during the holidays.

But, your little people really only ever want to spend quality time with their grown ups. Nothing else really matters.

So grab a blanket, pop some popcorn turn on the TV, snuggle up and teach your little ones the glorious art of doing absolutely nothing. 

Have fun!