As a state, Montana has resisted the COVID-19 effects as long as possible. As the rest of the country is succumbing to the illness, we have stood strong as our rate of infection is minimal in comparison. The time has come for us to do our part in decreasing the viral spread. With that, parents are now finding themselves with children home and could use a little prompting of the imagination to keep busy hands, well, busy.

Some ideas you may find interesting and likeable, others not so much, although they may inspire other ideas. Perhaps these ideas will entice your inspiration to explore or embark on a new, close-to-home adventure. Who knows, perhaps one of these recommendations will stick with your child and become a lifelong hobby or career choice.

Although school classwork takes precedent and should have a dedicated period every day, the time children typically spend participating in extra-curricular activities will need fulfillment. Spending quality time together can be as simple as:

Going for a walk or run

Fishing

Hiking

Riding bikes

Playing hopscotch

Drawing with chalk

Bird watching

Gardening

Playing board games

Organizing a Chopped-style cooking affair

Performing a play, concert or magic show

Putting together puzzles

Teaching the family dog a new trick

Sitting down with a calendar and planning activities for the summer months.

Perhaps older children could learn about finances, how to do laundry or a new skill such as woodworking, mechanics, engineering, photography or sewing. Maybe this would be a good time to begin the adventure of reading or writing a book, learning a foreign language or about a foreign country, creating a new masterpiece or learning a new instrument. Crafting can range from beading, painting, modelling, knitting, or sculpting with clay or wire. One fun idea is to take anything not being used and turn it into recycled artwork...the possibilities are endless and make use of what was “junk.”

Since recreational and social facilities have closed, now is a great time to make use of the Wii or other gaming systems by encouraging active game playing. The word “active” is key here. By playing the active sports games, these systems get families interacting and moving. Bowling, baseball, tennis, boxing and other movement-based games can be integrated into a fun-filled night with healthy benefits.

If stuck in a bind and looking for something to keep your family occupied, a quick search online will reveal a multitude of “fun activities to keep my kids busy.” With any luck this pandemic will soon pass, and life will return to normal. Until then, lets enjoy the time we have been given by slowing down, staying home and enjoying our blessings. Early Americans managed this lifestyle and so to shall we.