There is lots which can be explored from where we are right now.
Projects and activities to try
Make your own calming Glitter Jar
These are fun to make and great for relaxation and mindfulness.
What you need:
- Empty water bottle, warm water, glitter paint.
How to make:
- Add the glitter paint to the bottom of the jar until it covers the bottom.
- Add warm water
- Put the cover on and shake to help the ingredients combine
- Once you are happy with how your jar looks, take care with fixing the lid tightly shut so it doesn’t spill.
Make your own Sand Jar
These are simple to make and beautiful to look at.
What you need:
- A clean baby food jar or a similar-sized container with a lid, salt, six different coloured chalks, six small plastic containers.
How to make:
- Pour your salt right to the very top of the jar.
- Separate it evenly into the six plastic containers.
- Pick a different coloured chalk for each container and use it to colour in the salt.
- This can be done by mixing the chalk and salt together in the container in swirling motions or by scraping the chalk off the side of the container and mixing it in.
- When you have all your containers of coloured salt ready, gently tip each one back into your jar or container until it is full.
- Allow the salt to find its own shape in the jar, before putting the lid on tightly.
- Enjoy your work of art!
Read a book
Books are a great way to get your mind off what’s currently happening and escape into another place.
If you don’t like reading, that’s no problem. There are lots of audio books available to download from the internet, featuring great stories by different authors.
Having someone read to you can be very relaxing – is there someone who could read to you in person or over the phone or a video call?
Bake a cake
There are lots of different options when it comes to baking. Most supermarkets offer easy-bake options. You could also try to bake a cake / dessert from scratch.
Perhaps an adult could help you with using the oven or cooker.
Surprise your family with a lovely treat and the best part is that you get to tuck in too!
Get active
Being active isn’t just important for our body but it is also good for our minds too. Exercise gets the blood pumping and releases feel-good chemicals which can boost our mood.
We may not be able to do our normal activities but perhaps we can link in with exercise routines shared online – for example, by instructors such as Joe Wicks.
If you can take exercise outside, why not shake up your daily routine by walking, running and cycling on different days?
Keep connected​
Now is the perfect time to keep in touch with friends and family members in creative ways.
Why not pick up the phone, try a video call (adults may be able to help with this) or write a letter or a postcard to the people you are most looking forward to seeing when this time has passed?
Show you care​
Doing something nice for others can of course help them feel good, but did you know it can actually help you feel good too?!
Why not try helping out an adult at home or sending a nice message to a family member or friend?
Learn a new skill​
Is there something you always thought you would like to learn to do? Maybe you can use this time to start teaching yourself how to do it. Lots of fun online tutorials and videos teach everything from new languages to dance routines and more besides. Many local libraries are running events online too.
Talk
Many of us will be having good and bad days at the moment. It’s ok to not feel ok – but it is important that you know you can talk with a trusted adult, or with Childline, about any worries, fears or frustrations you might experience.
While we may not be able to meet our grandparents, friends or other family members at this time, we may still be able to talk with them over the phone, or on a video call.
Childline is always here to listen.
Get your groove on
Many of us will be having good and bad days at the moment. It’s ok to not feel ok – but it is important that you know you can talk with a trusted adult, or with Childline, about any worries, fears or frustrations you might experience.
While we may not be able to meet our grandparents, friends or other family members at this time, we may still be able to talk with them over the phone, or on a video call.
Childline is always here to listen.
If you have a pet, why not teach them a new trick?
Can you spend time with your pet and teach them something new? If you have a dog, perhaps you could teach them to play fetch, roll over or show you their paw.
Check these out too:
How to learn to love the way you look
What to do if you live with parents who are constantly fighting
