Having Family Fun While Socially Distancing

The coronavirus pandemic has caused school closures, disruptions to normal life, and introduced terms like “social distancing” and “quarantining” into our daily lexicon. But none of that means we can’t have a little fun while at home with our families. We’ve made a list of things to try if boredom sets in, or if you just need the kids to turn off the video games.

1. Learn how to knit. Did you know that knitting is scientifically proven to help with stress? Knitting also helps develop fine motor skills and creates a beautiful end product. Use this guide to help you and your children learn this skill.
   
2. Learn origami. Like knitting, origami helps develop fine motor skills, is a great alternative to bad habits like fingernail biting, and the options are endless! Begin with easier folds, then work up to more difficult ones. You can use beautiful origami paper or even use scraps, such as old receipts. Did you know that the Japanese believe that making one thousand origami cranes brings good luck?
   
3. Make a scavenger hunt. Get creative with this one – make clues from cut up magazines, use candy as the final prize, whatever gets the whole family thinking together.
   
4. Get cooking – but creatively! Ever watched an episode of “Chopped”? What can you and your family make with three random ingredients? Have lots of laughs and make wacky but tasty meals.
   
5. Write poetry. Poetry is a great way to teach reading and writing skills to kids, plus it’s a good avenue for writing out feelings. Check out the children’s poetry section of Poetry Foundation’s website, which introduces easy-to-approach poetry and important literary terms for young readers.
   
6. Learn a dance. Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you can’t move. Ever wanted to learn the entire dance for Thriller? Or, make up your own choreography to your favorite song. Get out that energy!
   
7. Tour a museum. The National History Museum of Utah offers interactive online classes, and museums like the National Gallery of Art and Guggenheim Museum are offering virtual tours as well.
   
8. Take on a genealogy project. Want to find out where that one great aunt emigrated from? Take out that old box of photos and use online tools to help build a family tree. Local libraries often let cardholders access genealogy information, and there are a myriad of websites that can help. Turn it into an art project and make an actual tree.
   
9. Take advantage of free educational subscriptions. Overnight, many of us became homeschooling families. The link here is a complete list of free educational subscriptions to supplement schoolwork or help tutor kids on various subjects. It’ll save you lots of time and frustration.
   
10. Get outside. The benefit of living in Utah is that there are so many outdoor activities to take advantage of. Plus, nothing boosts the immune system like the sun and fresh air. You can hike, visit a park, or just take a drive into the mountains or desert while still socially distancing.