We’ve all been there: your kids jump out of bed in the morning or walk through the door after school and immediately say, “What do we do now?” But before you panic and hand over your smartphone, consider these easy activities that are actually fun for the whole family.
Because, contrary to what social media might have you believe, some of the best ways to entertain kids don’t involve hours of preparation. A little imagination and a few snack breaks can go a long way towards creating activities that are full of laughter and emotion. Read on for nine of our favorites and don’t forget to check out the snacks with oat.
Make a quick breakfast option together before school.
School mornings can be hectic, to put it mildly, but everyone wins when the kids actually eat breakfast before leaving to catch the bus. Plus, a morning meal is a great way for the family to catch up before scattering for the next day. And great breakfast options don’t always mean a ton of meal prep: Instant oatmeal, with 24 grams of whole grains per serving, is ready in minutes. With this tasty aroma, even your pickiest child is bound to clean the bowl. You can make it a family business by setting up an assembly line: one person sets up a bar of toppings (think chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or dried fruit), the next pours the oatmeal packets into a bowl, and an adult pours liquid. An efficient part and tasty breakfast.
Relax with yoga for families.
If you haven’t found time to train during the day and are you looking for a constructive way for your children to use up their energy after school, why not try working together? And no, we’re not suggesting you put your little ones on the bike for a HIIT ride up the hill, but something a little easier and just as fun. Find a media channel with yogachoose a theme that everyone in the house will like and then stretch your way to a little inner peace.
Learn a card game together.
Your house may be full of board games, but don’t overlook your humble deck of cards. There is an almost unlimited amount of games you can play with them, such as the simple Go Fish, which even a preschooler can master. Choose one family member per session to be in charge of hunting a new game. (You’ll find tons of free resources online.) Soon, you’ll be ready for fun as long as you have a pack handy.
Bake cakes for friends and neighbors.
It is never too early to teach your children the very important lesson of helping others. And one of the tastiest ways is baking for friends or neighbors. We’re partial to oatmeal cookies: they’re infinitely changeable, fairly easy to master even for the youngest bakers, and they’re always a crowd pleaser. Start with Quaker Old Fashioned Oats and then let your imagination run wild. Dried fruits? Sure! Chocolate flakes? Who says no to that? If you need a little inspiration, there’s a recipe for every type of cake eater here.
Play bingo outdoors.
If you hear calls “I’m bored!” from the other room, sometimes the best solution is to gather everyone and go outside. And while fresh air can be both energizing and rejuvenating, there are ways to make nature trips more appealing to the youngest members of the family. We love playing a quick game of bingo outdoors and you don’t even need cards to do it. Simply give each family member a list of five things to look for on the walk, and the first person to find them all wins.
make karaoke with all the family.
Whether you’re singing ballads from your child’s favorite movie or your boy band’s chart topper from the ’90s, karaoke requires nothing more than an online lyric video and a healthy lack of inhibition. To make it even more fun, you can set up quick costume changes for each song or you can perform duets in turn.
Rediscover the joy of coloring.
While coloring is a wonderful way for children to develop their creativity and fine motor skills, it is also very good for adults. After all, can you remember the last time you sat down just to relax and doodle or make a piece of art? Plus, there are a lot of adult coloring books on the market now, so everyone in the family can find one that’s right for them. Play a soothing mix in the music application of your choice, take out your books and don’t forget to share the pencils.
Make daily tasks a game.
If you make a chore seem super exciting, kids will happily do it. One of the easiest to solve together is the dreaded room cleaning: set a timer and challenge your children (or yourself!) to see who can pick up everything from the floor and put it away first. Not only will everyone have an amazing race to finish, but you’ll end up with a spotless room. It’s a win-win.
Enjoy an afternoon snack by making oat snacks.
Parents have learned the hard way what can happen when children go from lunch to dinner without a snack in between. Spoiler alert: Sometimes it’s not pretty. You can avoid crises and have fun making a light, no-bake snack together. The oat bites come together in minutes with ingredients you most likely already have on hand. Simply mix together oats, nut butter or seeds of your choice, a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and some kid-friendly toppings like chocolate chips, dried cherries, or coconut chips. Kids love turning them into balls, and parents will love the super-fast one-bowl cleanup.
