While some parents currently have time for their children all day, others are faced with the challenge of continuing to manage their daily work while working from home while simultaneously entertaining their children. And all this without losing their composure. It's not uncommon for families to find their daily routines turned upside down. Especially now that children have to forgo meeting up with friends outside, creative ways to entertain them are needed. We've put together some fun alternatives for all parents and children that can be done at home.
Competition: Show us your most beautiful forest
One of the best things about being a child is exploring the world with friends, going into the woods, and searching for little treasures. So that your children don't have to miss out on the forest completely during this time, we're bringing the forest right into your home. We've drawn three tree-like templates for your children to color and decorate as they please—including animals, flowers, and even tree planters. The best part: We're looking for the most beautiful forest and will be giving away three Treeanie Kids items of their choice, plus a €50 voucher, among all entries.
And this is how it works:
- Print out the desired template and let your children color the drawing
- Take a photo of the drawing
- Post the photo of the drawing on Instagram or make an Instagram Story
- Tag @nikinclothing on the post
- If you don't have Instagram, simply send the photos of the colored drawings to: sven@nikin.ch
- All participants between 1 – 10 years are allowed to take part
- The deadline for participation is April 29, 2020
- The three winners will each receive a Treeanie Kids of their choice and a 50.- voucher
Ladder game
Download ladder-ladder game A4 ordownload ladder-ladder game A3
Is there anything better than hosting a cozy game night together? If your whole family is isolated, you could try our fun Forest Ladder and Screw game. All you need is our printed template, a dice, some game pieces (you can also use bricks, buttons, or colorful M&Ms), and you're ready to go. The winner can then decide what to implement next on their list of ideas.
Organize a fashion show and sort out
Getting rid of old clothes has never been more beneficial than in spring. Just in time for the first warm days, many people are feeling the urge for spring cleaning. This includes decluttering their closets. Use this time to combine the sorting with a fashion show—the crazier the combination of items, the better. In the end, saying goodbye to that old sweater or ripped jeans will definitely be a better experience.
And for those who have trouble parting with beloved but worn-out clothes, sorting boxes can help. Set up three large boxes and separate clothes you want to keep, clothes that belong in the trash, and clothes that will be donated.
[product-handles list="treeshirt-basic-women, treehoodie-basic-women, treeplanter-shirt-linen, treesweater-basic-unisex"]
Make gifts and paint for the grandparents
Just like children and parents, grandparents are also facing significant challenges: They are not allowed to have any contact with their grandchildren until further notice. However, they would certainly appreciate a gift from the family. Let the children make or paint something for them – for example, using one of our coloring pages. These can easily be sent by mail and are a small token of appreciation and a reminder for all those elderly people who are currently feeling lonely and missing their families due to their limited mobility.
Grandparents who own smartphones that can play videos will certainly enjoy a rehearsed play that their grandchildren perform and film for them. This way, grandparents can also share in the family fun—even if only digitally for now.
Cooking and baking together
Structure is especially important – and not just for parents who work from home and have to manage their busy schedules. Children also benefit from knowing that there are still things that need to be organized, even without school or daycare. To ensure that cooking at least goes smoothly and there are no disagreements about what to have for lunch, you can create a weekly cooking plan with your children. Write down who is responsible for what and when. While younger children can take care of setting out the cutlery, for example, older children can take charge of entire meals. This way, everyone knows what their job is, which ultimately speeds up the whole cooking process.
Another way to use the kitchen together as a family is to bake cookies or other treats. After all, this isn't just fun during the Christmas season. Try out new, delicious recipes together and then enjoy them together during a movie night.
Build huts and adventure corners
Who said you have to go outdoors to camp? Creativity knows no bounds. With a few cloths, blankets, boxes, umbrellas, and a lot of imagination, a child's room can be transformed in no time into a charming cabin landscape inviting play, a camping spot for the home, or a hideaway reserved for only the youngest members of the family. What they bring into the hideaway is up to the children: books, games, dolls, stuffed animals, or even homemade cookies.
Sow seeds and watch the plants grow
If you have a garden or balcony, you can use the sunny spring days to clear away the winter's debris and plant the first seeds in pots. These can also be decorated with paint and labeled so you can keep track of the plants while observing them. Or how about a small tree? With our TreePlanting Kit, you can bring a piece of the forest home. It contains three spruce seeds and planting instructions to ensure nothing can go wrong. And with a bit of luck, a green thumb, and the help of Mother Nature, you might even manage to plant your own little forest.
In any case, gardening is much easier and faster to do as a family than alone. Pulling weeds, cleaning garden furniture, mowing the lawn, collecting beautiful stones, arranging pots, and getting everything in order—working together as a family leaves more time to enjoy the spring sunshine.
