17 fun social distancing activities for kids: Unique ideas for quarantine times

Whether you’re reading this amid the COVID-19 outbreak or later, when we don’t have to keep 6 feet away from everyone (hi future you!!!), chances are your kids get bored. And if they’re anything like mine, they get tired of doing the same old, same old. That’s why I’m sharing these social distancing activities for kids: It’s time to shake things up!

We’ve been lucky in that this week has been gorgeous. We’re spending a lot of time outside in the sun, which definitely helps everyone’s mood. So I’m sharing family-friendly outdoor activities that are social distancing-approved.

I know spring, though, and this beautiful weather isn’t here to stay permanently. I know we have rain in our future, so I’m also including ideas for indoor activities. (I guarantee your kids will have SO MUCH FUN with #10!)

So when boredom strikes, turn to one of these fun social distancing activities for kids. They’ll help your family have fun—while staying safe and healthy.

Outdoor social distancing activities for kids

Research consistently shows that being outdoors is good for your immune system AND your mental health. Has there been a more important time to boost your body’s ability to fight germs and keep your mood up?

So if weather (and local regulations) allow, get outside!

Of course you’ll need to maintain 6 feet between you and others you encounter outside. But the good thing about the Great Outdoors is that it’s big!

Here are some of our favorite social distancing activities for kids you can do outside.

1. Go on a hike

Is there a hiking trail nearby? A nature preserve? Lace up your shoes and go out for a hike. Walking along in nature will take all your minds off the constant COVID news.

2. Do a nature scavenger hunt

Sometimes my kids have more fun outside when they have a project to focus on. That’s why we love nature scavenger hunts. The other day I made a booklet for Maxine, with categories for things to find (round, crooked, green, beautiful, etc.). The booklet also included space for her to draw what she observed and a few lines for her to write some notes (or, since she’s a pre-reader, get a grown-up to write it for her).

I also like these nature scavenger hunt printables from Have Diapers Will Travel.

3. Post encouraging signs outside

This health scare is the perfect time to band together as a community—from a distance, of course. You can let your neighbors know you’re thinking of them by posting encouraging signs outside.

Have your kids draw a picture or write a positive message on a large sheet of paper or poster board. Then post it on a telephone pole or another public spot outside. The message will make your neighbors smile!

4. Chalk an activity path

Lots of other families are taking walks in the neighborhood. Give them something fun to do by making an activity path with chalk!

On your sidewalk, draw hopscotch, spots to jump, a windy path—anything that will encourage other kids to have fun. Don’t forget to test out the activity path yourself!

5. Egg hunt for friends

It might not be Easter, but you probably have some plastic eggs around. Put a few pieces of candy, stamps, costume jewelry or toys inside a handful of eggs. Head to a friend or neighbor’s yard and hide the eggs. Then text a video challenging your buds to find the eggs!

6. Nature art projects

Take homeschool art outdoors. You can even incorporate science into your art project by observing and using things you find outside.

Want some ideas? Check out my post on 32 fun nature art activities.

7. Rock painting

Start by collecting a handful of rocks and wash them. (This step is one of my kids’ favorites!) After they dry, set out some newspaper so you don’t get paint on any surfaces. Then you and your kids can go to town painting the rocks!

Acrylic paint works the best for this project but it does stain, so wear clothes you don’t care about. I also have the “paint talk” with my kids, telling them the paint can only go on the rocks or paper. Other paint, like tempera or finger paints, will wash off.

You don’t have to stop at paint, either. Glue on sequins, googly eyes or other bits and bobs you have in your craft box. Then set them outside where others will see them—and smile!

8. Nature survey

This project doubles as art, math and science, for anyone still trying to stick to a homeschool schedule. (More power to you!)

Go into your yard or another outdoors area. Set a timer for one minute and have your kids run around, drawing a picture or making a note of every kind of plant life they see (dandelions, clover, grass, maple tree, etc.).

Then set the timer for five minutes (or longer, if your kids are older). Have them move around, tallying the number of each type of plant. You can teach them to make tic marks and how to count by fives. (See? Math! #homeschoolmasters) Then discuss which type of plant life is more common. Did your kids find the same kinds of plants? The same numbers?

For really ambitious kiddos, you can then visually show the diversity with a bar graph.

9. Plan a treasure hunt

What’s better than pretending you’re pirates or jungle explorers searching for hidden treasure?

First, pick out some things your kids would be excited to find. I like pulling together costume jewelry and dress-up stuff. Put it in a container small enough to hide.

Then make a map for your kids to follow. You can even set up little activities at each “stop” around the yard, like doing ten jumping jacks or answering a silly would you rather question.

Your kids will be so excited to search for actual treasure!

Indoor social distancing activities

If the weather is crummy, you probably won’t be spending a ton of time outdoors. When your kids have gone through all the homeschool curriculum you’ve planned—or haven’t—get going on some of these fun indoor activities.

10. Bubble wrap dance party

Chances are, you’re doing more online shopping now that you can’t get to the store as much. Whenever something is nestled in bubble wrap, save it—for a dance party!

Using painter’s tape, secure a stretch of bubble wrap to the floor. (This will only work on hard surfaces, so not carpet.)

Then put on your kids’ favorite music (we have been rocking out to JoJo Siwa lately) and dance it out on the bubble wrap! It’s so freaking satisfying to hear the pop pop pop!

11. Finger paints in the bath

This activity is not for the faint of heart—but I promise your kids will never, ever forget it.

Start by putting a crummy towel on the bottom of your bath tub. Then squeeze out different colors of finger paints onto plastic plates. Get your kids into the bath (with no water) and let ’em at it!

My kids loved painting the wall and themselves. We just had a rule: no paint in the hair. They were actually really good about this!

After they were done, we used the removable shower head to rinse of kids and the bath. The finger paint comes right off.

12. Swing from the ceiling—literally

I posted about this social distancing-safe activity on my Instagram the other day and was bowled over by the response! Y’all were really into our favorite indoor activity: swinging from the ceiling.

A while back we installed bolts into a beam in the ceiling of our downstairs living room. Then we tied old sheets to the bolts. My kids now use them to swing, Tarzan-style, and do Cirque du Soleil-worthy stunts.

We take the sheets down during movie night so we can see the screen. When the sheets go back up, the kids are just as excited as ever.

13. Makeovers

Backstory: Edie really likes the idea of makeup. She likes watching me put on makeup. She likes to ask me if I will buy her makeup 100 times a day. I always tell her no.

Then coronavirus happened. I was facing down potentially months of social distancing with two young, active, outgoing kids. So I bought some cheap makeup—and surprised the kids.

They just about lost their minds when I told them we were going to give each other makeovers with real makeup.

Have you ever done makeovers with your kids, during social distancing or other times?

14. Write post cards to shut-ins

My grandma lives just a few minutes away but we haven’t been able to see her in person for weeks. The assisted living facility where she lives asked no visitors to come to protect residents, who are more vulnerable to coronavirus.

So we began sending her post cards nearly every day.

That got me thinking about all the other people who are homebound. About how lonely they must be. So I started writing post cards to friends’ relatives. Then I joined this Facebook group, where people post their loved ones’ mailing addresses and requests for mail.

If it feels weird to write to a stranger, draw something (or have your kids draw) instead. I usually doodle a little something, share a sentence or two about what’s going on in our life (“We’ve been watching a jay build a nest in our yard”), then sign it “your friend from Oregon, Catherine.”

I send about five cards a day—a great way to use up all those post cards I buy on our travels. And it makes me feel good to help brighten someone else’s day.

15. Make movies

Want an activity that can take up most of the day? (Of course you do. I get you.) Challenge your kids to make a movie!

They’ll need to pick a topic, assign characters and write a script (or at least hash out the plot). They can either act out the movie themselves or set up toys and move them around. Once they’re ready, you can offer to record it. Or set up your phone on something stable, hit record and do one of the zillion things you haven’t gotten to. (Or lie down and read a magazine.)

If your kids are like mine, they’ll have a blast!

16. Make “street art”

Grab a roll of kraft paper and tape it to your wall or kitchen island to make a giant “canvas!”

With such a large space to let their creativity flow, your kids can think big. Let them make a mural or try their hands at “graffiti.” (Want some inspiration? Take a peek at my favorite street art post.)

If you get a nice day, you can do this activity outside, too. We recently tacked the paper to the side of our deck and painted in the sun!

17. Window art

Before you start this activity, make your kids agree that they’ll wash the windows afterward. (Bonus, they’ll be roped into doing chores!)

Hand out dry erase markers and let your kids draw on the windows. They can sketch whatever is in their imagination or—my favorite—”trace” whatever they see outside.

Dry erase marker wipes off glass. If it’s stubborn, just spritz it with glass cleaner and wipe it off. The windows will end up even cleaner than when you started!

Social distancing with kids doesn’t mean you can’t have fun

Yes, the coronavirus outbreak has changed all our lives. School is canceled, children can’t play with their friends, and pretty much all parents have a mini-panic attach whenever a kid coughs.

All this uncertainty doesn’t mean we have to surrender to a boring life, though!

To keep things interesting—and keep your kids entertained—have fun with these social distancing activities for kids.

As always, be safe and follow the local guidelines to slow the spread of coronavirus. And of course use common sense to keep your kids and community healthy.

Tell me: What have you and your kids been doing during this time of social distancing?