Working moms staying home with kids during this virus season may appreciate some ideas to not only occupy kids but educate as well. Here is a way to DIY an easy & educational kid’s activity book your family can make at home with items most people already have on hand.
Plus below are 5 tips when discussing the corona virus with your child.
There may be an app for making this book but sometimes old-school activities are better for kids.
There are many ideas for DIY activity books.
The instructions below are for an alphabet book.
Try to avoid pushing for perfection.
This is not about getting the perfect picture for social media. It is about time with your child to strengthen their sense of well-being. Let the picture book be their own creation. It will mean so much more to them. Don’t make a sample to show them how to do it. Trying to make it like the example frustrates kids. Let them demonstrate their own creativity.
God created us to be creative beings. God is the creator of creativity and we were made in His image. Let your kids show off their imagination. They may surprise you.
Genesis 1:27 New International Version (NIV)
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
To make a DIY activity book, you will need:
Your phone or a camera
A printer
14 pieces of Construction paper or cardstock (I like to use colored but use what you have)
Imagination!
Instructions for a DIY activity book:
- To make a DIY alphabet book, take your child on a walk through a park or neighborhood and let them take pictures for each letter of the alphabet. For example, “A is for ant”. Find an ant and let your child take a picture with your phone.
- Go on to find a bird for the letter “B” and so on until you have a picture for each letter. Let them take the picture if possible.
- Print each picture when you arrive home. Fold the 14 pieces of construction paper in half. Let your children cut out the pictures and glue them to construction paper or colored card stock . After you glue the pictures down, have an older child write the alphabet letter and animal or bug represented in the picture or do this yourself.
- Punch 3 holes in the sides and place binder rings to put your book together or tie ribbon or yarn through the holes. The binder rings will allow the child to turn the pages easily. However, use what you have available. Let your child decorate the cover.
5. Use the book at bedtime to discuss your day, strengthen their reading skills, and praise God for His wonderful creation.
Other DIY activity book ideas to make with your child:
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Days of creation
– Day 1: Dark and Light, Day 2: clouds and water etc. You can find the days of creation in Genesis chapter 1. Read the chapter together. Take a walk together to take pictures of the items created on each day. Praise your child’s creativity as you discuss being made in God’s image.
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Animals
– Take pictures of animals you see in nature and discuss the sounds they make and the names of each animal. As you make the book, talk about the funny animal sounds. Discuss why God would give us animals (because He loves us and gives good things) and ways we can care for them.
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Chores around the house
– Take photos of your child demonstrating different chores around the house. Discuss why, as a family, we have to work together to care for all God provides for us. Praise your child for working so hard and compliment his good work as well as his ideas. Discuss chores he could do each week to help his family.
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Community Helpers
– Discuss ways your family could serve others in your community later. Then draw or take photos of people who serve in the community such as the fire station, nursing homes, police station, hospitals, churches, grocery stores and other places people serve in your city. Even though we can’t visit these now, take the time to help your child appreciate all of the helpers God gave us. After creating and reading your book, pray for the helpers who keep us safe and healthy.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless. Your child will have tons of ideas, also.
As you work together, praise and encourage positive actions you observe in your child. For example, “I love how you are taking turns with your brother”, or “it is so sweet the way you are helping your little sister”. Be intentional with praise. Your positive attention creates huge results for a lifetime in a child. Your words have power. Use them to build your child into the person God intended him to be.
A child’s greatest need is stability and security.
Here are 5 tips when discussing the corona virus with your child.
Right now, more than ever they need us to reassure them their world is ok. When your child is in the room, try to turn off any virus talk on TV and social media. It is better for you or other trustworthy family members to discuss these topics with your child. You know what your child can handle and what is appropriate for their age.
Without meaning to, we can instill great fear in our children during this unsettling time in history.
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Create a schedule and print it for them with pictures if necessary, for non-readers.
Put the schedule where they can see it and stick to it. A schedule gives a child great comfort and security.
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Make eye contact.
Sit with them, look them in the eye and discuss the virus without giving too much information.
Studies show eye contact with parents is important for children. Here is one article on the importance of eye contact. Hence, the need to put down our phones more often and look at our children.
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They understand being sick and getting well.
They are concrete thinkers. Help them understand this is just a virus like the flu and all of this will pass as people get well. There is no need to give more information. They just need to know they are ok and you are not afraid so they don’t have to be.
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Try to focus on the positive, this time together is a gift.
Do not dwell of the negative. Present it as a time we all get to be home together and rest and enjoy family time.
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Remember God is still in control.
We have food, electricity and clean water. Discuss being home as a blessing. This is a time to slow down and turn off technology for a while and get back to being family again. God will take care of the rest.
This easy and educational DIY kid’s activity book can fill many hours with fun and creativity while giving your children the comfort, peace, and stability they need.
These books can be as fun & creative as you can dream together. I pray this time with your child is productive, peaceful and comforting.
John 14:27 New International Version (NIV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I hope your kids enjoy making this little book. Please share the books they make with me on my facebook page @streamspouredout or in the comments below.
Love you guys and I’m praying for you,
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