5 Things to Do at Home During Quarantine

5 Things to Do at Home During Quarantine 

1.  Grow Butterflies!  This was a fan favorite with my students when I did daily videos or pictures to share with them online.  You can order a super simple kit that gives you everything you need and explains the process in a clear and concise manner.  It takes about two weeks for the whole process to complete and then you can release the butterflies outside.  Shipping is also super quick!  I live in the middle of nowhere and mine still arrived about two days after ordering.  They have other insect options as well, maybe next time I will try ladybugs!  Check out Insect Lore at this link.

2.  Start a Garden!  This was another fun project I did with my students in the beginning of the quarantine.  My favorite way for kids to start a plant is in a ziplock in the window.  You fold the seed (beans work best) into a wet paper towel, place it in a sealed ziplock, and tape it in a window that gets lots of light.  Have your child check it every day to see how it is growing.  When it gets big enough, then you can plant it in soil.  Feel free to try with other seeds as well, I have just had a lot of success with beans.

3.  Write a Book!  This is a great time for you children to get excited about creative writing.  I've used these kits in the classroom and the end results are beautiful!  Pick a topic, do some research, and start writing!  We have written books about make believe animals, real animal reports, and local tree reports.  You can either do it online or order a paper kit.  They are a ton of fun and will be a lasting memory from this time in quarantine.  Why not write about that?!  Check them out here.

4.  Make Art!  Oh, the possibilities are endless!  This, of course, depends on where you live and how old your children are.  Get creative! Use the supplies you have on hand!  One of my favorites is a coffee filter butterfly.  This would tie in really nicely if you grow butterflies at home too.  All you need is two round white coffee filters, markers, water, and a pipe cleaner.  Here is a link to step by step directions.  

5.  Read!  As a teacher, I have to include this one.  It doesn't matter what you read, or if you are reading your child or they are reading to you, just read!  You can do it anywhere and anytime.  You can read paperbacks, hardcovers, e-books, or audiobooks.  You can even read magazines or newspapers.  The more you read, the more vocabulary your child is exposed to and the more they will be interested in reading themselves.  Reading is the base of every educational subject, so it is absolutely the most important.  Scholastic always has a great selection for great prices.