Ideas and resources for kids – in the time of COVID-19

I keep alternating between….the kids need a break, fun, no routine! To….4 weeks of no routine??? How will they detox when they finally go back to school? We’re trying not to implement an intense schedule at home, because at the end of the day…we have FOUR WEEKS to get through. At a minumum. We don’t know how long this thing is going to last, but we also can’t be sending trash, brain dead zombies back to school when the time comes, once we are free of Covid-19! In today’s post I have some resources for kids…. some book suggestions, some academic resources as well as some activity ideas. I hope these will help you in what is a trying time for every body!

Speaking of zombies…..

Books

Grandpa Zombie, by Jaco Jacobs

Alex’s grandpa has grey hair and false teeth and he loves watching travel shows on television. But then he suddenly develops an interest in … BRAIIINNNSSS!
Grandpa is turning into a zombie and if Alex wants to rescue him before the Zombie Squad shows up, he’ll need to come up with a plan (and heaps of broccoli). Their travels to find a cure takes them across Africa – from Zambia to Egypt – and along the way they meet a range of interesting and wonderful characters.
Top selling children’s books author Jacobs uses his characteristic combination of humour and the compassionate portrayal of relationships between family and friends to create yet another bestseller in the making.

Joshua and I started reading this together and I thought this was such a fun book! The font size is nice for the average middle schooler and there are some great illustrations. Also I loved when it was my turn to read and I’d go: Brraaaaaiiiiiinnnnnsss! Ha ha. Another thing, South Africa now, more than ever, needs us to #SupportLocal, so definitely look out for this one if your kids are in the zombie phase like mine are!

The 13-Story Treehouse Series

The 13-Story Treehouse is a 2011 book written by author Andy Griffiths and illustrated by Terry Denton, and a stage play based on the book. The story follows Andy and Terry, who are living in a 13-story treehouse, struggling to finish their book on time among many distractions and their friend Jill, who lives in a house full of animals and often visits them. According to the book, the 13-story treehouse has “a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of man-eating sharks , a secret underground laboratory, a vegetable vaporizer and a marshmallow machine that shoots marshmallows into your mouths when it sees that you are hungry”.

There are 8 books in the series and Joshua has devoured them! He loves to read about the new additions to the treehouse and always comes to share with me the ones he finds most amazing or ridiculous. I always love getting my kids hooked on series, because it gives them something to look forward to. Joshua read the last book in under 24hrs, which he bought with his birthday money! You know a series is good if they’ll use their birthday money to buy books! Once finished, he wanted to know when the 9th book would be released.

The Beast of Buckingham Palace, by David Walliams

London is in ruins, the people are hungry, and darkness has fallen across the land. Prince Alfred, a poorly and bookish child, has never left the safety of Buckingham Palace. But now there are strange goings on inside the palace walls – and Alfred’s life is about to change forever.

In the dead of night something terrible stalks the corridors. When Alfred’s beloved mother the queen is dragged off to the Tower of London, the boy must summon all his courage to embark on an epic quest to save her… and the entire world.

Travel forward in time for a fantastical adventure – a story of myth and legend that will enthral you right to its thrilling end.

I’m a fan of David Walliams after we have read a few of his books aimed at the younger kiddos. So when I saw this one, I thought it just sounded so interesting and it also is appropriate for kids aged 7 – 12. I love when I have one book that both Addison and Joshua can both read! We haven’t read this one yet, but it’s definitely on our stack!

Activity Boxes

Girltivity

The Girltivity Box is a unique subscription to remind girls about how amazing they are. To inspire girls between the ages of 3 and 12, to celebrate fearless women who helped make the world better. Each Girltivity Box is thoughtfully designed by educational experts to encourage creativity, curiosity and support literacy development in a fun way.

It includes a 20-page Girltivity Activity Book showcasing her unique story, with 10 to 15 hands-on STEAMED UP activities. Our special acronym STEAMED UP stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Design, Understanding and Practice. Shoo! That’s a whole lot of fun! Also included is a creative play prop, a featured character trait that helped her succeed, practical tips for parents to easily nurture that trait, experiments, games, collectibles plus so much MORE.Even more important, The Girltivity Brand is designed to empower girls to grow more fearlessly themselves!

Activity boxes are great resources for kids! Fun AND educational! We received the Girltivity box late in December….and I have not had a chance to even touch it yet! I think I’m glad though, there was a reason that we just could not get to it. That reason has arrived! With a house full of kids, who get sick of reading and school work…and even YOU TUBE…*GASP*….I know, this is PERFECT! The box is aimed at girls, and I absolutely LOVE the message and the idea behind this concept…to inspire our beautiful daughters! However, it’s definitely going to be a family affair as we all get involved in these activities!

You can order your own Girltivity box over HERE.

Educational resources for kids

Smartick

Smartick is an online platform to help kids master maths! They are offering a free 15 day trial and you can register for that over HERE.

My Maths App

Another maths aid, MyMathsApp is completely free to use. You don’t even need to sign up! Just get started practicing your bonds – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. More over HERE. MyMathsApp is sponsored by WorksheetCloud, which we have reviewed over on the blog before.

E-Classroom

E-Classroom is another resource that I love using. They provide printable resources for Grade R to Grade 12. There is an annual registration fee per grade, but at R65, it’s pocket change!

High School Specific Resource – Siyavula

Siyavula is an educational technology company with a mission to create and enable engaging, integrated, high-quality learning experiences in Mathematics and Physical Science. During the closure of schools during this time, Siyavula is open and free for all learners. This is only for Grade 8 to 12 though. Register HERE.

Blog Resources for kids

Just A Mamma had 60 ideas for keeping your younger kiddies busy and entertained! Check her blog post out over HERE.

I think that’s enough for today’s post! I’ll try to put some more information together and do another post in a week or so! If you have any resources for kids or ideas that you think I need to feature, drop a comment below or feel free to email me on hi@169.239.217.31

Stay safe and sanitised in this trying time! 

Note: This post was written PRE LOCKDOWN announcement, so I’m not sure if there are online ordering options at this stage.