Running low on ideas to keep primary school-age children occupied and engaged during lockdown? Here at Jubilee House we’ve come up with five suggestions that you might not have tried yet. They focus on freedom of movement and expression, engaging the senses, and independent decision making:

1. Build your own pizza. 

Lots of us feel like we’ve lost a bit of control during lockdown. That goes for children too. Give them the freedom to choose what they want to put on the pizza. Engage their senses and let them take charge: touching the food, smelling the sauce and seeing their DIY pizza cook in the oven. 

2. Get crafty with the recycling. 

Why spend money on expensive craft materials? One thing we’ve all got at the moment is lots of empty jars, bottles, toilet roll tubes and delivery boxes. The kids will probably supply all the imagination needed, but you’ll also find some ideas here: https://www.diythought.com/lockdown-kids-crafts-using-recycled-materials/  

3. Point them towards finger painting. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re five or ninety-five for this one. Forget the brushes, grab some water-soluble paint and get messy! 

4. Build a scrapbook of lockdown memories. 

In years to come, how will we reflect on all that we’ve been through? What will we want to remember? Start collecting photos, drawings, a list of the games you played and the movies you watched together. What did you enjoy? What were you scared of? What are you dreaming of doing when the lockdown is over? 

5.Take a time out. Kids need to de-stress too. 

Try some yoga with Cosmic Kids or check out the mindfulness videos at GoNoodle.

Here are a few more useful sources of help and inspiration, particularly for parents of autistic children: 
– Sensory Stuck at Home  is a Facebook page where parents of autistic children share ideas of activities to do in the house.
– The National Autistic Society website provides plenty of helpful resources.
– We also found good ideas for children with autism at the Autism Unravelled.

Good luck! And if you’ve got any more suggestions you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them. Please get in touch.