4 Things to Do with Kids to Help Them Cope During the Pandemic

The pandemic has made things difficult for families in 2020. It’s true for both kids and parents. However, if you’re a parent, you might feel like this situation is particularly challenging if you have younger children.

The reality is that your youngster might not understand why all this change is happening. Maybe they were about to go off to school, and now they can’t do it. If they were in school already, they might feel disappointed that they can’t go back and see their friends.

Here are four suggestions as to what parents can do with their younger kids as we enter the fall season.

You Can Take a Camping Trip

If you’re in a region with some pleasant natural wilderness nearby, then maybe you’d like to take the kids on a camping trip. It’s a smart thing to do, since:

• Your kids might be eager for a scenery change
• You can teach them about some of the flora and fauna
• There is minimal Covid-19 risk outdoors and away from other people

You might look into screen tents for camping if you don’t have one already. There are many colors, styles, and sizes available. Think how much your kids will enjoy spending some time under the stars, snuggled up in sleeping bags, roasting marshmallows, and telling scary stories.

Have a Socially-Distant Playdate

Just because there is a pandemic, that does not mean that it’s impossible to set up a playdate between your kids and some of their neighborhood friends. It’s doable, provided that:

• The kids have no physical contact with each other
• They wear masks
• They wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer

If you have an enclosed backyard, that is the ideal place for this sort of thing. You can invite the other parents too. Maybe you can sit and chat while you keep an eye on the children or even have a nice glass of wine.

The one thing you must be sure to do is to explain to your kids beforehand how important it is that they follow safety rules. If your children are too young to grasp the concept, it’s probably not safe for them to play together.

Have a Weekly Call with the Relatives

One thing that’s making a lot of kids (and adults) sad right now is that you might have to stay away from your relatives. For instance, maybe you and your kids live in a different city or state from their grandparents.

Older folks have a higher mortality rate if they catch Covid-19. Because of this, visiting might not be realistic. If you know that your child’s grandparents or older relatives have immunocompromised conditions, then you can’t risk an in-person encounter.

Technology is the way around that, though. If you have a smartphone, and your older relatives have one as well, then you can set up a weekly Zoom or FaceTime call.

Just seeing your kids should cheer up your relatives. Remember that even though what’s happening is hard on your children, it’s tough on older adults too. Seeing some smiling faces and youthful exuberance is a great way to shake any sad or depressed feelings.

Go for a Bike Ride or Walk Each Day

Another thing you can do with your kids if they’re not going back to school, or even if they’re engaged in online schooling, is to go for a long walk or bike ride every day before the weather turns cold. Crisp autumn days are perfect for heading out to explore your neighborhood.

This is a way for your kids to burn off some energy, which they would typically do on the playground during recess. As a parent, you might also be missing your gym time, which may not be possible because of the coronavirus. Many gyms remain closed, and chasing your kids down the street can substitute for your spin class in a pinch.

Even when the weather gets colder, that doesn’t mean you can’t go out in the backyard with the kids and romp in the snow. Any fun activity like having a snowball fight or building a fort can take their minds off this strange year.

Your kids rely on you to be the adult role model, and that’s not always easy. During these unprecedented times, try to be strong for them. Do what you can to preserve their innocence and make sure they know that you cherish and love them.