North States Blog

Check out these 6 easy tips and tricks for caring for babies and kids at home.

As we’re spending more time at home, it’s understandably harder for some of us to balance work, online learning, and spending time with our family.

For babies and toddlers, home is where they start learning to recognize people and objects, understanding cause and effect, and speaking. Infants and toddlers need lots of love, attention, and stimulation to thrive, and the likeliest place for them to get it is at home with you.

For older kids, it’s important to keep a schedule and to keep them entertained while staying healthy. Here are 6 tips for coping with quarantine for children of all ages.

Tip 1: Read together

Reading stimulates the child’s imagination and helps them learn about the world around them. It's a great time for you to bond with your baby and share time together too! Check out Scholastic and your local library for resources.

Tip 2: Create a daily schedule

Structure a weekly routine for your kids that replicates a school week. Set a schedule that maps out the daily tasks they will be doing, and be sure to factor in snack breaks, outdoor activities, and time for reading!

Tip 3: Learn a new hobby

Take up knitting, learn a magic trick, or break out the crayons and create some artwork. No matter how your family gets their creative juices flowing, a new hobby will help keep everyone sane during this time at home. We made a Pinterest full of Indoor Baby Activities if you need ideas.

Tip 4: Cook together

Spend some time every week with the kids preparing a meal. This is a great time to get creative with food, but try to limit the sweets to avoid giving them that “sugar high” you can’t control. Check out some ideas from Tasty.

Tip 5: Work out together

Take a daily walk with the baby, or for older kids, do a yoga practice, or get a quick workout in together. Your kids not only need to get their energy out, but these activities are great ways to calm the mind and relieve stress. The Realistic Mama has great YouTube recommendations.

Tip 6: Get some alone time

Your wellbeing is just as important as the kids’. Whether it’s taking a relaxing bath, reading for half an hour, or just watching your favorite TV show, make sure to take some time for yourself every day while your partner watches the little ones or after their bedtime. To make time for essential tasks at home, it might be helpful to keep the kids contained in a safe play area with a baby gate or play yard while you supervise nearby.

At this time of uncertainty, we understand the importance of keeping ourselves and our families healthy – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Please be sure to check with your state’s health officials for best practices and processes moving forward in your area.