The second week of lockdown is here, and we’re all facing another week at home with the kids for school holidays. But, staying at home doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Keep the kids entertained and help them make the most of the holidays with these five challenges! From Lego and lava to water bottles, marshmallows and markers, it’s the perfect fun to end these lockdown holidays on the high they deserve.
School holidays are about getting out, playing with friends, and heading off on trips… of course, all this was brought to a halt with a NSW COVID-19 ‘stay at home’ orders. While it’s not the holidays we planned for the kids, it doesn’t mean we can’t still make the most of it can create some fun memories at home. Here are five challenges to set the kids to keep them busy and entertained:
- LEGO challenge
- Three marker challenge
- Water bottle flip challenge
- Marshmallow building challenge
- The floor is lava challenge
1. LEGO Challenge
If you haven’t heard of the ‘Brickit App’ then you’re in for a treat (the kids too!). The app scans your Lego collection, aka that big bucket of Lego you’re used to tripping over every day, and offers up new build ideas for the pieces. How awesome is that!
All the building ideas come with step by step instructions just the same as any Lego set. They are just small creations that are perfect for kids to do on their own.
Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: Scan your Lego pieces
- Step 2: Choose a creation
- Step 3: Build!
- Step 4: Share (if you choose)
What are you waiting for? It’s time to tip out that bucket of Lego and put the kids to work – they’ll love it!
Unfortunately, at the moment the App is only available on Apple devices. But stay tuned, as an Android version is in the works.
2. Three marker challenge
Do you have some creative kids in your household? Then they’ll love this challenge!
It’s nice and easy. Start by letting the kids pick three markers of any kind. They could be crayons, pens, textas…anything! But they can only have three.
Now they have to create a picture with just those three markers.
If you have a few kids, set them the challenge of drawing each other. If nothing else, everyone will get some great laughs out of this one!
The fun can continue with more and more challenges being set along the way:
- Draw an animal
- Draw your favourite activity
- Draw yourself
- Draw your bedroom
Make sure you nominate a parent as the judge to see who the winner is!
3. Water bottle flip challenge
Have your kids caught onto this one yet? The water bottle flip challenge is the perfect excuse for a little competitive fun in your home (adults, too!), and you can even take the challenge outdoors.
So, how exactly does this one work?
- Step 1: You want to grab a water bottle that is about one quarter full.
- Step 2: Hold it by the neck of the bottle.
- Step 3: Flick the bottle by rotating it away from you.
- Step 4: Watch the bottle land upright.
In this video above, you can see three different challenges your kids can work their way through – all done indoors at the kitchen table. If that’s not enough fun for the kids, you’ll find plenty more inspiration on Pinterest to keep them busy.
4. Marshmallow building challenge
Marshmallows are great for eating, but they can also be used for some building fun! All you need is some marshmallows, dry spaghetti, and a huge amount of imagination!
Set the kids up with these materials and set them to the challenge: who can build the tallest tower.
Handy Hint: watch the video above for a few engineering tips to help get the kids started.
If you want to make it a little more competitive (just a little healthy sibling rivalry), set a timer for the challenge.
Once done – and winner announced – kids can continue the challenge by working together to build. Watch what they come up with!
5. Floor is Lava challenge
If you have some energetic kids on your hands, this one is perfect for them.
The best thing is, it’s great for all ages, big and small, so everyone can get involved.
Give the kids a designated area to play – the bigger the better! In the example above, they turn their entire house into lava.
Give the kids a designated amount of time to play – is it for an hour? Two hours? 24 hours? The longer the better (for you!).
How does it work?
It’s simple easy, the entire floor is lava, which means you can’t step on it! Kids have to find a way around without touching the floor. In fact, parents can get involved with this challenge too.
See who can survive the longest!
You might need to sit down as a family beforehand to set the rules (ie, no climbing on benches…).
And then have some fun!
