While we all stay indoors with our families and adjust to the new normal of social distancing, some inspiration for inclusive family fun activities is a must. Over the past few weeks, I have seen so many creative indoor activities that can help you and your family stay active while staying indoors. The best part? These activities aren’t Instagram and Facebook challenges just yet. Start a new trend and tell us your favorite activity to take part in with your family by using the hashtag #sharphome on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and tagging @SharpHomeUSA.
Tin Can Bowling
This family-fun activity courtesy of “A Girl and a Glue Gun” will transform your hallway or living room into a bowling alley. Unreal right? I promise it is well worth the mess! To create this new social hotspot in the comfort of your living space, you’ll need:
- A minimum of 10 tin cans (like the ones photographed)
- A handball that can easily be rolled
- Optional: If you want to add a bit of color into the game, feel free to grab a paintbrush and splash some paint on the cans to make them pop.
Once you have grabbed all of your supplies, head over to a narrow and long space in your home, such as a hallway (or a living room if you’re embracing the mess), you could either stack or the cans or place each one on the ground in the shape of a triangle (the typical bowling pin style). Set about 5-6 feet between the bowler and the tin cans that are now acting as pins. Take turns rolling the handball and let the family fun begin!
Laundry Basket Skee Ball
While your hallway may now be considered you’re home bowling alley, you can transform the laundry room (or any other room in the house) into a carnival. “Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls” introduced me to the concept of taking laundry baskets and creating your own game of ski ball. To say I am their new biggest fan would be an understatement guys… This is how it’s done.
- Grab 2-4 laundry baskets
- A cardboard box
- Tape
- Scissors
- Handballs, Recommended 3-5
- 3-5 Sheets of paper and a marker
The objective of the game is to slide the ball up a ramp and land into a basket– which has an attached point value. The further away from the basket, your ball is, the higher point value you receive. To set this game up, you are going to take each laundry basket and spread them apart from each other, in a straight verticle line.
Attach a point value by writing it onto a piece of paper and taping it to the basket. It is up to you and your teammates to decide which value system you would like to go on. Next, create a ramp out of a cardboard box. Cut one of the four sides off and place it in the middle on a slant, which allows one to use the ball to slide up. Tape it together for support and get ready to play!
DIY Ring Toss
If you and your loved ones are having fun at your new at-home carnival, you can extend the family fun with this unique DIY ring toss game. This simple set-up activity can bring enjoyment and a sense of competition to the home. Blogger “Little Learning for Two” has made this DIY activity an easy assembly, using only supplies that you can find around the house (a nice change of pace for sure. To make this game a reality in your home, simply gather the following:
- 4-6 paper plates per player
- Scissors
- Coloring utensils
- Carboard tube (ex: paper towel roll or holder)
First start by grabbing the paper plates and use the scissors to cut out the center, to create a ring-like object. After that, use your coloring tools and create different creations to distinguish one player from the other (don’t be afraid to get creative). Next up, take a paper plate with the middle and tape the cardboard tube to the middle of it. Place the tube on the ground and step back about 5-7 feet. Wish each other luck and begin!
Peanut Butter Fudge Snack Recipe
I am sure that all those fun games have helped the family to work up QUITE the appetite. Gather everyone into the kitchen and create a heaping pile of Peanut Butter Fudge using a Sharp Microwave Drawer Oven. This five-minute recipe from “Spoon University” is a simple, yet delicious dish that the whole family can both help to create and contribute to enjoy. You will need:
- Jar of Peanut Butter (16 oz.)
- May substitute with Nutella if peanut allergy is a concern.
- Jar of vanilla frosting (16 oz.)
- Mixing Bowl
- Pan
Start by pouring the full jar of peanut butter into the mixing bowl using a spoon. Then place one whole can of vanilla frosting into a microwave-safe bowl, microwaving for one minute and stirring it in 20-second intervals. Once your frosting is melted, add to the mixing bowl and mix the peanut butter and melted icing well and transfer the batter into a pan. Allow several minutes for the batter to cool before cutting into squares. I always recommend tossing the tray into the freezer for an hour. Enjoy your sweet treat before you go back to your new favorite activities!
Note: If you would like to make it a bit tastier, feel free to include chocolate chips!
Paper Plate Tic-Tac-Toe
I’m sure that everyone has played the simple game of tic-tac-toe on an extra sheet of paper, however, “Learn with Play at Home” has exposed me to an almost life-version that is perfect for a day in the house. Quick, let us set up and gather what we need so we can begin.
- 10 Paper Plates
- Tape (any color is applicable except clear)
- Marker
Create five paper plates with “X” and the other five with “O.” Feel free to use colored markers or crayons to add design and make them pop. Next, you will need to layout a tic-tac-toe grid utilizing the tape, allowing each box to fit a paper plate. Whether it is the kitchen floor or the foyer, any place in the home is suitable to create the space.
This two-player game will designate one player with all five “X” plates and the “O” plates to the other. Each will take turns to get three in a row. Ready, set, go!
Make Your Own Hopscotch
Now that we have transformed your home into the top carnival, movie theater, and treat shop, I believe adding the recess field will bring joy to the little ones. Using materials from prior games and cardboard, I invite you to burn off some energy with a game of traditional hopscotch. “Happy Hooligans” recommends you get together:
- Cardboard (cereal and pizza boxes will work)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Paint/Markers
- Stone or small stuffed animal to toss
You will first need to divide the cardboard into nine equal boxes numbered 1-9 using the scissors. Cut a half-circle to place at the end with the number 10. You can number them using markers or paint. Like always, feel free to get a little create and personalize each box with your design.
In addition to the fun, hopscotch provides an educational value to kids when it comes to counting and using numbers. Dependent on the cardboard type, it is recommended that you try placing them on hardwood and/or carpet to test how slippery they are. If you need to familiarize yourself with the proper rules of hopscotch, check out these instructions from “Jacqueline Wilson.” Let’s get hopping!
Are you ready to try some of these activities and create some family fun memories? Use #sharphome and let us know. Have fun!
