Here are lots of ideas for children’s lockdown activities if you’re stuck with the kids at home in Leeds and looking for fun things to do! Over the next few weeks we’ll be adding lots more to this list- so keep checking back to get more inspiration!
Outdoor Lockdown Activities to do with Children: Things to do Outside
- Go on an adventure (aka a walk but DONT CALL IT A WALK)
- Ideas to make lockdown walks more fun could include doing a scavenger hunt, taking pictures, playing word games, setting challenges and spotting wildlife
- More ideas to make lockdown walks more fun here.
- Find a new walk (ahem, adventure) to go on, or let your child decide the route to take – Lots of suggestions for walks around Leeds here.
- Get out on a Family Bike Ride. Suggestions of places to cycle in Leeds here.
- Is the weather cold and icy? Have a look at these great suggestions of activities in the Ice and Snow Here, including
- Snow painting
- Ice decorations
- Snow kitchen
- Ice marbles
- Download the Love Exploring app and find somewhere local to find fairies or dinosaurs
Strava Art: Download a Free tracking app, such as Strava, and design some drawings by walking! All you need is a nice open space (or can you do it using your streets- but this might need some pre-planning!).- There are LOADS of activities that you can enjoy in your garden
- How about learning about nature, playing outdoor games, taking rubbings, holding a sports day or making a mud pie? More suggestions here.
- Give them some chalk and let them decorate your drive or your front path, it will just wash away with rain!
- Get wrapped up and eat in your garden- why not have a winter BBQ!
- Visit a local park or playground.
- Have a go at geocaching- read this about what it is and how it works
- More ideas on outdoor activities for kids here
Things to do at Home in Lockdown: Indoor Kids Games & Activities
- Scavenger Hunt (save time preparing by asking for items beginning with a certain letter, colour, pattern or even create a rainbow collection- see photo below)
- Den or fort building. Use cushions, sheets, laundry driers or cardboard boxed (which can also be drawn on). All those Amazon deliveries were not in vain!
- Are you after a big long list of play at home ideas? Ta-daaaaa!!! Here’s 101 ideas of things to do with the kids at home.
- Have a Tournament Day of Board Games. Play games throughout the day and the overall winner gets boasting rights for the rest of the week. Ideas for age appropriate board games here
- Learn a new skill or teach them your favourite card games. Ideas here.
- Hama beads are creative AND come with the benefit of becoming potential keepsakes. Your children might like to make keychains to give their friends and family once they’re allowed!
- Read these lockdown child-friendly photography projects
- Online health and fitness activities; our children love Cosmic Kids Yoga
- Remember the good times of lockdown with these activities that help capture your lockdown memories
- Feeling like you want to put in minimal effort? Read these ideas on Things to Do when You’re Shattered.
- Hold a performance! Give the kids a little time to prepare- they can perform a skit, show off their talent, even do a shadow puppet show!
- Have toddler at home? They’re sure to enjoy these Tuff Tray Ideas or here’s a list of indoor activities for babies and toddlers.
Rainbow Scavenger Hunt
Lockdown Themed Days to Have with Children
Rather than planning another day with the same activities, base them around a themed day. Get dressed up, plan meals based around that theme and do lots of activities. You could include home learning opportunities, stories or even films. It takes a little planning, but in the first lockdown we tried to do one a day.
- Fairy Day
- Pirates Day
- Dinosaur Day
- Superhero Day
- Frozen Day
- Countries (Spanish Day, Mexico Day, France Day)
- Read more ideas on our Pinterest board
Lockdown Kids Party Ideas
- Family Disco (with Flashy Lights)
- Family Mini Disco- find a suitable one on You Tube
- Sleepover in the lounge- make dens
- Base them on the themed days above (including going on a family ‘holiday’ to one of the destinations)
- Zoom parties with families- see our ideas for games here
- Movie nights
- Celebrating a birthday? Have a look here for more great ideas.
Looking to do something special without the kids? Have a look at these stay at home date night ideas here.
Lockdown Baking and Cooking to do with children
Lockdown Arts and Crafts
- Nature arts and crafts
- Storybook crafts. Read a story with your children and make crafts based on the story. The Hungry Caterpillar is a good one to start with, follow with potato prints with different sized caterpillars!
- Now could be the perfect time for your child to learn to knit, crochet or sew.
- Save up your egg boxes and try the wide range of eggbox crafts suggested on Pinterest!
- Use an old plastic milk carton to make a bird feeder (with a follow up activity of bird spotting)
- Some fun crafts to do at home here
Local Leeds Businesses that can offer fun at home
For more suggestions of businesses that can offer Lockdown treats for special occassions or birthdays, see this blog.
TV, Online Shows and Films to enjoy at Home
Lockdown Ideas to make meals more fun!
Resources to make learning at home more fun
- Free online educational resources to do at home here
- Ideas to help children practice their reading and writing in fun ways here
- Home learning offers us the opportunity to teach children more that just reading and writing, we can teach them about life skills in our households!
- Watch the daily LIVE family science shows with Maddie & Greg here.
Virtual Classes and Groups
More blogs on things to do with kids at home here.
