Working from home has become common since the pandemic broke out. According to a survey, almost 76% of people prefer to work from home, and 32% of people want to work remotely because of their childcare responsibilities. Although working from home may be a dream of so many people who live alone or have a peaceful and ideal work environment at their home. But for parents, it can be otherwise. Trying to complete your office assignments while taking care of your infant activities and safety side by side is a great hassle. It’s not at all feasible if you have children between 1 – 7 years of age. It is quite challenging for parents to balance their work and parenting with remote work. While children can be a source of joy and happiness, they can also be quite demanding, especially when you are trying to work from home.
Infant Activities to Keep Them Entertained At Home
In this blog, we’ll share some fun things to do with kids at home. These are unique ways to keep your children entertained while you work remotely. Get ready for some serious fun and giggles because this ultimate guide to kid-approved activities will help you to easily manage both your work and parenting duties:
Create a Fun Play Area
Infants, toddlers, and kids all love the colorful ambiance, which spreads the aura of fun. Therefore, it is important to designate a pretty and colorful area for your kids to encourage their fun and creativity. You can select any place or corner of your home that seems suitable to you. If your kids are in toddling phase, it would be better to select an area that is near and visible from your home office. So you can work and check up on your kids to make sure they are doing fine.
This can also be a fun activity for kids as you set up the space for them. Since that play area belongs to their fun and creative world, you can include them in painting the walls, setting up toys, or other things. To make it colorful and playful, you can let your kids imprint the walls with their tiny hands. It is best to place a rug in that area where your little ones are going to take charge. Rugs will greatly increase the outlook of the play area and will make it safer for kids to run and walk around.
Do not forget to fill the place with plush toys, building blocks, puzzles, drawing or painting tools, and other toys that are your kids’ favorite. Make it ideal and safe so your child can have fun activities independently. This area will become a haven for them that they will never want to leave. So make sure to put your time, effort, and love to make it engaging and entertaining for kids.
Plan the Day
A regular, well-planned schedule will be a great help for you and your kids. This way you will be able to manage your work and kids without any hassle. It is better to plan the day in advance. Add all the plans and infant activities that you and the kids will do. Schedule the meals, breaks, TV time, activities, studies, naps, or any other activities that you want to include. Make it short or detailed depending on your needs. You can make a colorful planner for your kids and hang it in their room or play area to make them understand and develop a habit of planning.
Making a plan will not only help you but will also help your children to learn and follow the plans you have set for them. It will help to make them more punctual, and you can also keep a track of everything for a well-balanced schedule. You can also set up a schedule for yourself, so you know when to take breaks and spend time with your child.
Creative and Crafts
There is no alternative to art and craft. The number of benefits your child will gain from art and craft projects is unmatched. On average, around 70% of kids love arts and crafts activities. Kids love creating and indulging in activities that they can independently work on by themselves. Therefore, you must have plenty of art accessories, tools, and toys for your little ones. Get them watercolors, paints, drawing boards, creativity books, and other related products.
Crafts are a great way to keep children entertained and engaged. You can also set up a craft station filled with different craft supplies. You can even create a theme for the day, such as making masks or creating a painting. As you plan the day, you can plan the creativity or crafting theme and give your kids a task to create certain things. Make them more curious and involved by giving them treats or their favorite snacks as they complete.
Crafts and creative activities will groom and boost your children’s skills like imagination, coordination, thinking, and problem-solving. You can also teach them to search for ideas on YouTube or kids’ websites. This will develop research skills as well. There is no doubt that a large number of kids are interested in craft activities; however, you must remember that not all kids are the same. If you feel like your little one is not interested in art and crafts, then do not force them to do it. Instead, try to find out their favorite field and let them pursue the activities that they actually enjoy doing.
Outdoor Activities
No matter how amazing the indoor looks, kids will always get bored of their surroundings at some point. This is why it is important to plan outdoor activities and games for them as well. These tiny munchkins are filled with so much energy and curiosity that you need to plan a good outdoor activity for them. Outdoor games are the best activities to do with children. It can also help them burn off some energy. Make sure to engage your child in some sort of sports activity because this way they will remain fit and healthy. Who knows that sport might become their passion or hobby that stays with them throughout their life. To keep them healthy and fit, make them run around, play hide n seek, tag, do a scavenger hunt, or take them on a bike ride.
If you want to induce positive and healthy habits in your kids, know that the early years are the best age to develop their minds and body. Outdoor activities are best to let them grow, learn, explore, and develop. Try to keep them engaged in a healthy routine with balanced indoor and outdoor activities. Once you are successful in developing the habits, your kids will become used to sticking towards a positive routine.
Make Use of Technology
A well-balanced routine for kids means an appropriate experience of everything. So when you are scheduling your kids’ day, remember to incorporate the healthy use of technology side by side. A bit of good screen time, games, crafts, indoor, and outdoor fun, and proportioned breaks with mealtimes will be a good way to let your child experience everything with interest.
Technology can be a useful tool for keeping children entertained. Many educational apps and games can help your child learn while also having fun. You can also set up a video call with a grandparent or family friend, which can give your child some social interaction. For a healthy learning environment, try out these Home activities for kids’ learning and growth.
Other Children Activities to Do At Home
Here are some other infant activities ideas that you can plan to keep your kids entertained while working:
Encourage independent play: Encourage your child to play independently with toys or games that they enjoy. This will help them develop their imagination and creativity, and give them some uninterrupted time to work.
Involve your child in your Work: Depending on the nature of your work, you may be able to involve your child in your work activities, such as asking them to help with simple tasks or asking for their opinion on certain matters.
Join Virtual Activities: Look for virtual activities such as online storytimes or virtual museum tours that your child can participate in.
Schedule Playdates: Plan playdates with other children in your child’s age group, either virtually or in person (if safe and permitted). This will give your child the opportunity to socialize and play with others.
Have Quality Time Together: Take short breaks from work to spend some quality time with your child, such as playing a game, reading a book, or simply chatting. This will help strengthen your relationship with your child and make them feel valued.
Working from home with children can be challenging, but with a little creativity and planning, it can also be a fun and rewarding experience. The above-mentioned infant activities and ideas will definitely make your day perfect as you manage your work and kids’ entertainment like a pro. By setting up a designated play area, creating a schedule, and making use of technology and outdoor activities, you can keep your child entertained while you work from home. Remember, it’s important to find a balance between work and parenting, and to take breaks when needed to spend quality time with your child.