Activities to carry out at home

Spending a lot of time at home with the kids is certainly cosy, but it can also be a challenge. So how can you fill up your days in a meaningful way when you are at home with your child(ren)? CompaNanny's team of Pedagogic Coaches is more than happy to provide practical suggestions and tips. Each week we will update this page with new activities, so watch this space!

Daily routine

Making a daily schedule can help provide structure and a sense of tranquillity, both for yourself and for your child(ren). Whether they are at CompaNanny or at school each day, your child is already used to this sort of structure, so the transition will most likely be a smooth one. What can help when it comes to creating a sense of calm in the house is to agree upon a ‘work zone’ and a ‘play zone’ with each other. This gives children clarity and freedom and can prevent exasperation. Click here for an example of a daily schedule, and here for a blank daily schedule that you can fill in yourself.

How to teach your child to play independently, and how to let them do so

You don’t need to entertain your child(ren) all day long, as it is very valuable to know how to play independently. For example: it helps build self-confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills. Some children are able to play independently for a while more easily than others, but all children can learn how to do it. Here are some tips to teach/let your child play independently:

• Specify that it is time for your child to play on their own (“It’s time for independent play” or something similar). Be sure to also specify what you yourself will be doing during that time. Also be sure to let your child(ren) know when the independent playtime has ended and an activity can be done together.
• Stay available. Give your child the space to play independently, so do not sit close to them, but do remain in sight. For example: sit at the table or on the sofa and do your own tasks/thing, such as sending an email, folding laundry, etc. Connect with your child now and then with a look or a nod, by looking at something they are doing or naming it. It is best if you do this if/when your child seeks out contact themself. If your child is engrossed in their game, don’t do anything (except watch and enjoy or do some work of your own etc).
• Have faith in your child and give them the time to start playing independently. Simply figuring out how to get started is a valuable process as your child learns how to choose and start their own game.
• Practice regularly. The vast majority of children get progressively better at independent play as they get older. This is because their ability to concentrate increases. Yet it is a skill that will be much more evident if a child can practice it regularly.

Inspiration for activities at home

This list will be updated each week with new activities per age group.

Activities for babies aged 0-2 years:

• Blowing bubbles
• Hickory Dickory Dock
• Cold / Warm bottle
• Sensory Bags
• Getting to know ‘sand’
• Smelling Parade
• Handbag
• Rockstar
• Baby bootcamp
• Laundry basket fun
• Water feast
• Painting with your whole body
• Grabbing
• Playing with rags

Activities for toddlers aged 2-4 years:

• Collecting branches
• Painting with different materials
• Nature sensory bag
• Interactive children’s books
• Combining animal pictures
• Playing with sand or rice
• An own 'skating rink'
• Walking over the iceberg
• Activity jar
• Stamping with toilet rolls
• Feeling trial
• Rolling with the bal
• Natural Mandalas
• Feeding the birds
• Do it yourself
• Spongy constructions
• Milking cows
• Sssst what do I hear?

Activities for children aged 4-12 years:

• Thumb piano
• Dreamcatchers
• Christmas Photo Challenge
• Making Christmas cards
• Hide and Seek in the dark
• Making way for/Replacing toys
• Make a music stick
• Make a light projector
• Wooden hearts
• Create your own board game
• Clay challenge
• Find the differences
• Camping at home
• Making egg muffins
• Pen Can
• Chalk art
• Dot art
• Snowman throwing
• Writing a name poem

Healthy and tasty animal-shaped vegetable pizzas

This e-book (in Dutch), has templates and recipes that you can use to make tasty and healthy pizzas at home like true pizza chefs! Which ones will you and your kids make? Share your creation(s) on social media with the hashtag: #MagionixCompaNannypizza

CompaNanny on YouTube

Have you come across our YouTube channel yet? Here you will find videos made by our very own team, in which we encourage children to exercise and inspire their creativity. Check out the CompaNanny Kids YouTube channel!