We are now months into the coronavirus pandemic and it's safe to say we all hoped or believed that we would be inching back to "normal." Instead, we are still finding ways to stay entertained and busy for ourselves and our families. No matter if it's summer activities, or breaks from online learning, Children's Hospital Colorado has great activity ideas for all ages.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everything from our daily schedules to where we can go and what we can do. These changes can be challenging for everyone, and this is especially true for kids who thrive on routines and predictability.
To help support families during these unpredictable times, our child life specialists have compiled their best tips for how to create a schedule and plan activities for children of any age.
Note: These tips apply any time of the year, whether your kids are enjoying summer, in a virtual school setting or heading back to in-person activities like sports or school.
Creating a schedule for your family during the pandemic
Creating a routine is a great way to help reduce stress for your entire family. Here are some general tips for creating a schedule for family members of all ages:
- Personalize your plan. There is no perfect schedule for every family. We recommend using meals and bedtime as a starting point and building your family’s schedule around those important parts.
- Plan age-appropriate activities. To help guide you, we’ve compiled a list of ideas for activities, coping strategies and expression tools for you to incorporate into your schedule based on the age of your children.
- Give yourself grace. You and your kids are navigating a new normal during these times. A general rhythm can be helpful but remember that your schedule will not be perfect, and that’s okay. It’s simply there to help you.
Schedule tips and activity ideas by age
From age three up to the teenage years, find out what activities are recommend. These range from art, baking/cooking, music, exercise and more.
