Things That Aren’t Canceled

Entertaining Family Activities to Stay Engaged

Around the world, people are social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, social events and activities have been eliminated for the time being. Even knowing that postponing or canceling is the right decision, it can be disappointing to miss plans you and your family have been looking forward to. It can be even more difficult to devise healthy, safe options to replace those canceled plans.

Thankfully, there are still plenty of engaging activities you can do as a family while social distancing! To give our happyly families some inspiration, we put together a shortlist of fun activities that aren’t canceled during this time.

1. Spreading Positivity: If you live in a neighborhood, write/draw positive messages in chalk on your driveway or sidewalk. You’ll be getting outside as a family to foster creativity.  If you live in an apartment building, create an encouraging sign as a family that you can display in a window for your neighbors to see.
2. Join the "Bear Hunt:" A fun concept that's spreading to many communities: put a bear in your front window and walk around the neighborhood in search of others.
3. Scavenger Hunts: Check out this week's Featured Activity for access to printable scavenger hunts for all ages to enjoy together.
4. Sharing a Meal via Video: Using Zoom/Skype, get together with friends or extended family to “share” a meal together. While you may not be able to meet in person, you can still check in with each other virtually.
5. Build Pillow/Blanket Forts: Looking to burn some energy? Stay active by building a fort together as a family. If you’re adjusting to online school, this could be a fun place to do schoolwork for a day. After all — everything is more exciting when you do it in a fort.
6. Do a Workout/Dance Video: Do a workout video together as a family. Even better, find a YouTube dance tutorial and learn a dance to one of your favorite songs. (Better yet, have a member of your family teach everyone a dance/workout!)
7. Have a Picnic: If public parks are still open near your home, head outside for a picnic (but make sure to stay at least 6 feet from other people). If parks nearby are closed, or you don’t have a backyard, spread a blanket out in your living room!
8. Find a Local Greenway: Most greenways are wide enough to still remain 6 feet apart from other individuals. Head for a walk or a run as a family, and see what wildlife you can spot! (For more tips on running with kids, check out our recent blog).
9. Sending Cards/Letters: The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting many people, but particularly those in senior living communities, who may be feeling isolated during this time. Write cards and draw pictures as a family to mail to a community near you.
10. Give Back: Challenge your family members to come up with ideas for how you can help someone else less fortunate than you while respecting social distancing and then vote on the family favorite.

This is a difficult time for everyone, and it’s okay to feel a wide variety of emotions. We know that many of our families are adjusting to completely new ways of life, as schools have moved online and many parents are working from home. Give yourself grace, take it one day at a time, and know that our happyly team is here to provide resources in every way we can.

What's working well for you and your family? We look forward to hearing from you at share@happyly.com. 

We welcome you to check out our blog for more inspiration from a list of Ten Tips For Parents Working From Home, join as we Run For Fun With Our Kids or creative ways to Banish Boredom in light of social distancing.

Also, please take a moment to explore Week #3 of our Daily Schedule For Preschool and Grade School. As always, we welcome your family's highlights! Tag us on Instagram @gethappyly!