As someone who runs a daycare, you must constantly remain on the hunt for fun new activities to do with the kids you watch over. These activities need to have a level of engagement and entertainment while also avoiding anything too dangerous.
Fortunately, there are plenty of safe ways to keep kids entertained. Especially as the summer sun begins to heat up temperatures outdoors to unpleasant levels, having activities to do inside can prove all the more valuable.
Should you do arts and crafts at daycare?
Parent Map looks into some of the most fun play ideas and activities that any daycare staff could implement safely indoors. Arts and crafts make up the first big category. Kids love making things that they can show off and enjoy later, and there are plenty of things you can do to get their creative brain engaged while also teaching them.
For example, you can help teach shapes by playing a hunting game. Find household objects that are safe for kids to handle and have them trace the shapes and identify them. You can even cut out the shapes and decorate them later.
Or you can mix fine motor skills, art and math by allowing kids to sort objects into ice cube trays. Sort the items by pattern, color, size or other traits, and use tweezers or clothespins to up the difficulty.
How do you keep the kids moving?
Music and movement keep kids entertained, too. You can create safe indoor obstacle courses, fun scavenger hunts, or even do yoga for kids. Fun dances will always be a fan favorite too, such as the “freeze dance”, which involves kids freezing with a funny pose every time the music stops.
Kids are sure to enjoy any of these activities and stay safe while doing them.