How to Keep Your Young Children Entertained When Self-Isolating

Self-isolating as a single adult will be completely different to self-isolating with little children. If you’re unwell and a parent, you probably won’t have the ‘luxury’ of staying in bed all day until you’re better. Children aren’t good at letting their parents rest, and if you can’t give them all of your attention and energy, they will only get more persistent and seemingly do everything they can to annoy you. It is hard to know how to entertain them when you yourself don’t have that much energy, or perhaps you have to work from home. Read on for some tips.

Don’t Feel Bad About Extra TV

Don’t feel bad about letting your children watch TV more than usual. These are unusual circumstances that neither our grandparents nor parents went through when they had little children, so don’t try to imagine what older generations did to entertain children. Unfortunately, self-isolating means that we cannot use our support network if we have one, or ask anyone to help with child-care, so the TV becomes a necessity.

Keep in Touch by Video Call

Do regular video calls with family members and friends. You could even organise virtual meetups, parties, or picnics, with their friends! Just make sure you don’t have any problems with wi-fi, upgrading your wi-fi plan if you need to.

Sort Out the Toy Box

If your children have a lot of toys but don’t play with them, it might be time to re-organise them and throw some away so that it is easier for them to see what they have and choose without being overwhelmed.

Try Sensory Trays

You could also try sensory trays, which are great for children under 5. It can be as simple as finding a large basket, tray or box with low sides, and filling it with dried lentils, rice, sand, or other dry, non-toxic materials. Get a spade and some spoons, as well as some containers, and they can play with it as they please. You’ll be amazed how long this keeps kids entertained. You may have to show them how to do it first though.