Life Skills Activities for Kids

During these uncertain times children look to their parents, teachers and carers for assurance that everything is ok. As parents you might be inclined to set rigorous timetables, complicated schedules and specific learning tasks to ensure your child’s academic achievement is addressed throughout periods of potential school closures. As you know at Jells Park PS we pride ourselves on our students’ academic achievements however we also acknowledge the significant role social and emotional wellbeing plays in ensuring our students are thriving. Now more than ever, we encourage you to tune in to your child’s needs and if required throw the schedules away and simply ‘be’ with your child, sharing and connecting. The activities below, while they may not appear to be highly academic activities, have substantial benefits for your children and we encourage you to enjoy and have a go at some/many of them. Read the list together with your child and discuss what you would most like to do TOGETHER.

At Home

Spend 15 min in Meditation or run a Meditation session for your family

Cook a meal, bake a cake, make a new smoothie – learn to follow a recipe

Go on a rubbish hunt – walk and collect – around your neighbourhood

Clean out your bedroom, empty a closet, etc.

Wash the dishes

Create a dance routine to a song (don’t post on Tik Tok)

Learn to wash, hang and fold a basket of dirty clothes

Arrange a family dinner – cook, place the table, wash the dishes

Use cardboard boxes and recycled materials to make something (eg: a dolls house)

Use cardboard boxes and recycled materials to make a bridge that holds a certain weight.

Invent a machine that cures people of illness.

Make a blackboard (purchase blackboard paint from Bunnings) and pretend to play school.

Make a shop with household items and practice ‘paying’ and ‘giving’ change.

Make a board game

Use a balloon to play indoor tennis. Arrange pillows to create a net.

Make up a dance, record it and send to a friend. They have to learn the dance and send a video back of them doing it. (don’t put on Tik Tok)

Make a movie

Make a Treasure hunt.

Indoor bowling with empty soft drink bottles.

Build an indoor cubby house

Make a homemade musical instrument

Learn to tie your shoes

Draw, colour, knit, crochet, cross- stitch, sew, weave

Research basic requirements of First Aid – CPR and RICER – practice on a doll.

Watch a documentary and write a report on what you learnt.

Go on a virtual excursion (many places have great websites to explore – zoos, museums, etc)

Write a resume for a job

Talk about a book with Mum/Dad  (what are you reading, make predictions, discuss the characters behaviour)

Write a journal, keep a gratitude list, write instructions for something, write an alternate ending to favourite story or movie, write a story, keep a book of facts

Advocate for positive change in the world (write a letter, sign a petition, join an online group – with parent permission)

Research something of interest - a place you’d like to visit, a career you might like, a hobby you like to learn

Join Premiers Reading Challenge ( https://www.education.vic.gov.au/prc ), read books and record.

Create your own timetable for the week (and stick to it)

Make a meal plan & grocery list on a budget

Write a letter to a relative (especially if in isolation)

Make a phone call to a relative (especially if in isolation)

Facetime a relative/friend.

Make a present for a neighbour or friend. Make a card and wrapping paper. Leave it on their doorstep.

Sort through family photos and create a digital book

Outside

Do some physical activity DAILY - yoga, throw & catch, frisbee, kick a soccer ball, shoot hoops, hit a tennis ball, etc

OR - walk, hike, paddle, bike, surf, bike ride, etc.

Do some gardening – create a new garden bed or Veggie Patch

Make a worm farm or a compost area in the garden

‘Paint’ outside fences with water.

Create a fairy garden/monster truck pit.

Make a fitness track in backyard and time/record daily progress.

Mow the lawn, sweep the sidewalk, do the recycling

Learn how to maintain a vehicle (check the oil, change a tire)

Around the neighbourhood

Find a map of your local area and use to it to get to different places

Mow your neighbour’s lawn, take them a meal, sweep their sidewalk