10 Things to Do When Kids Are Bored at Home

I'm bored. I want to go out. Those are the words of my kids since they can't go out of the house for two weeks now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, they have to be more patient because people, especially kids and seniors, are not allowed to go out for three weeks more. I told my daughter to make a bucket list of things she wants to do while the forced home quarantine and social distancing for everybody are still in effect.

One good thing that can turn out good for families during this time of crisis is having a closer relationship. Parents, while staying at home, can do things with their children. It's a perfect time to be closer to each other and get to know each other more.

So, whether it's just to drive the boredom away or to have a happy family bonding,  I have made a list of some ways to accomplish both. There are two parts in this post. The first part shares ideas about making gifts for other people. The second part shares some fun science experiments the kids can do at home.

DIY Gifts to Make With Kids

Listed below are some DIY gift ideas that you and your child can do together. These are perfect to make especially that mother's day (and father's day also) is coming up in a few months.

1. Hand and Footprint Apron

For this craft, all you’ll need is non-toxic paint and a white apron. If you don't have yet a white apron, you can make one if you like using plain white fabric. See the video below. Then proceed with designing the apron.



First, lay the apron flat on a clean surface. Put at least one or different colors of paint on a flat tray or container. Take turns dipping the child’s feet and hands into the paint. Then, press them against the apron until you get a clear outline of the hand- and footprints.

You can also label each hand and foot with the name of the child if you had the hand- and footprints of multiple children on the apron.

Let the apron dry completely before giving the apron to someone as a gift. Here's a sample apron that you can do.



This is a nice gift for mom, grandma, or auntie. Every time they use the apron, they will be reminded of the person who made it!

2. Beaded Bracelets

For this project, you will need beads and some string.

Measure the length around a person's wrist and cut a string of the same length. Don't forget to add an inch or two for tying both ends of the string together. The length would depend on the person's wrist, so you can just make a smart guess if the person is not around.

Then slip the beads through the string and tie the string together to form a bracelet. This is very simple to do. If you don't have beads right now you can also make paper beads out of cut-out magazine paper. The instructions are found mid-way through the article on that page.

3. Personalized Coffee Mugs

For this craft, you need a white mug, paintbrushes, and non-washable paints.

If working on this project with a little one, you can hold the mug for the child to avoid breaking. Let the child dip the brush into the paint and then brush the paint onto the mug to make any design he/she likes.

Alternatively, you might like to try a simpler version of designing a mug using permanent paint pens Let the children use a mask if the paint has an irritating smell. Click the image below to watch how to do this.


The recipient will surely like this personalized gift and remember the person who gave it every time he/she drinks coffee.

4. Rustic Twig Picture Frame

For this DIY, you need hot glue, twigs, and a picture frame.

Your child would probably enjoy the first step which is collecting twigs from outside. Be sure to tell your child to be careful not to pick twigs that have bugs or moss.

Once finished collecting twigs, your child can help you in hot gluing the twigs to the picture frame. If the child is too young to use a hot glue gun, he/she can just help you in picking the twigs. It would be fun if you let the child decide what the design of the twigs would be on the picture frame. See a sample design below.



After gluing the twigs on the picture frame, let it dry. After the picture frame is completely dry, you can put in a picture.

Making these DIY projects can allow your kids to express their creativity. In addition, if they give these as gifts, it would teach them the concept that "giving is better than receiving." Also, it would also teach them how to save money by giving DIY gifts that are usually cheaper than buying gifts.

Fun Science Experiments Kids Can Do at Home

The second part of this post shares six science experiments that kids can do at home. Parents, please take note of the health and safety aspects of the experiment. Choose age-appropriate activities and make sure to watch your children as they perform the experiments.

5. Learning Attraction and Repulsion Using Large Magnets

Create a maze on a piece of paper or thin cardboard. Put a paper clip on top of the maze. Let the child hold the large magnet underneath the paper or cardboard and pull the paperclip through the maze using the magnet. Be sure to use a large magnet to make sure the child won't be able to swallow it.

You can make a cardboard marble maze like in the picture below and then use a steel marble or just a paper clip to course through the maze using the magnet underneath.

6. Make a Geyser Using Soda Bottle

This is a simple experiment to show kids what is a geyser using a 2-liter bottle of cola and a pack of mint Mentos candy. Be sure to do this experiment in an open space. Drop 7 Mentos candies into the bottle all at the same time, and move away quickly. Watch this simulated geyser as the soda shoot up out of the mouth of the bottle.

7. Playing with Invisible Ink

You can do this experiment if you have at home one-half fresh lemon, water, a cotton bud, paper, and a lamp. Extract the juice of the lemon and place it in a bowl Add a few drops of water to the juice then dip the cotton bud. Use the cotton bud to write a message on a piece of paper. When the juice dries up, it becomes completely invisible. To let people read the secret message, hold the paper near a lamp or a light bulb. The heat will make the message readable.

8. Simulated Homemade Volcano

For this science experiment, your kids will learn how to make a volcano. The first step is to prepare the volcano. Get an empty 25-ounce plastic bottle and cut the top off. The diameter of the cut top should be wide enough to put the ingredients inside. Put the bottle on top of a flower pot then surround it with dirt to prevent it from wobbling.

The second step is to make the mixture that would flow like lava out of the volcano. Get the following materials:

* 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap
* 3 drops red food coloring
* 1 1/2 cups warm water
* 1 cup vinegar
* 2 tablespoons baking soda

Put the soap and food coloring into the bottle. Add the vinegar and the water until the bottle is almost filled to the top. Mix the baking soda with a little water (just to moisten) in a small cup. Pour the soda-water mixture into the bottle and step back. Watch how lava-like fluid starts to flow out of the volcano.

9. Making Homemade Slime

There's no doubt that this fun, stretchy substance called slime can give kids hours of fun. Watch the video below to learn how to make slime in five ways.



You can store the slime in a plastic bag when your kids are not playing with it to prevent them from drying out.

10. Simulated Clouds and Rain

This next experiment is interesting because most kids would like to know how come it rains. This will teach them how clouds hold water and how it starts to rain when the clouds become too heavy.

Prepare the following materials:

* Water, colored with some food coloring
* A clear jar/glass/vase filled with water
* Shaving foam
* An eyedropper

To make a cloud, spurt some shaving cream on top of the water in the vase. Then pour the colored water into the vase carefully. As soon as the cream can't hold any more water, it will start to rain under the "cloud." The colored water should create pretty patterns, which the kids will enjoy seeing. Perhaps you and your kids would like to experiment with different colors of water to add more interest.

If you just want to make something that looks like a cloud, you could check out the video below:



The above experiments are easy to do even for little kids. Doing these can stimulate the kids' interest in the wonderful world of science. If you have older kids, you might like to check out these science experiments for high schoolers.

I hope these craft and science experiment ideas could help your kids make their time worthwhile.