Your Quarantine New York Kids Weekend: April 3-5

Oatmeal Bites:

3 tbsp of flax
3 tbsp of water
1 ripe banana mashed
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 tbsp of green powder but not necessary
3 tbsp of agave
Sprinkles (if you want)

Mash banana and add flax, water, cinnamon, green powder, peanut butter, and agave. Stir to combine.

Add oats, sprinkles, and scoop. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Fun with Sculpey

Sculpey will keep the kids entertained for hours, and if you are looking for an afterschool project (meaning you get a break), this is an excellent way for the older kids to keep busy and away from screen time. A favorite go-to site for crafts I often visit for my students is Meri Cherry Art Studio, and their Seven-layer Cake is a fun project for the kids. My kids love this machine for their Sculpey projects. If you have a pasta machine, you can also use this as well.

Karma Kids Yoga

At Karma Kids Yoga, teachers are dedicated to giving a variety of yoga tools to kids that they can use throughout their lives. They are encouraged to “play” yoga and learn about breath and body movement in an exciting way. Karma Kids Yoga is currently streaming classes on their Youtube channel and on Instagram.

Obé Fitness Live Classes

This program allows parents and their kids to join in on the fun while getting a good workout in. Obé offers kid classes in dance and strength that are 10 minutes long and for ages 3-10. They even have fun videos where kids can rock out to Kidz Bop songs. Use code: ATHOME for access.

Alo Yoga for Kids

Kids can practice yoga for free with these mindfulness classes that teach kids about finding calmness, quieting negativity, and more! Choose classes like Crisscross Yogasauce, Animal Yoga, and more!

This program allows parents and their kids to join in on the fun while getting a good workout in. Obé offers kid classes in dance and strength that are 10 minutes long and for ages 3-10. They even have fun videos where kids can rock out to Kidz Bop songs. Use code: ATHOME for access.

See our full list of exercise class options here: Indoor Exercise for Kids: Online Classes and Games During Coronavirus.

Make Frozen Chocolate Bananas

Makes four

2 ripe but firm bananas

6 ounces dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup granola, chopped pecans and walnuts or sprinkles (optional)

Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper. Cut the bananas in half and insert a popsicle stick into each half. Can also use wooded kebob or chopstick — whatever you have on hand. If you break chopstick in half, use the smooth part of the stick. Place bananas on the baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the oil in Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave (check it every 30 seconds) or in half-full pan of simmering water. Stir until smooth. Dip and roll each banana half in the chocolate, then quickly sprinkle with your toppings (if using).

Freeze until the chocolate sets, 30 minutes. Serve, or store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to a week.

Yarn and Sticks

A fun and easy craft project is to use a stick and yarn. Yarn can be any length — let the kids experiment with it — they’ll figure it out. It can also be cut shorter after it’s on the stick. And to tie it into a loop —  make a “u” and pull the ends through.

Many of us parents are hunkering down during this pandemic. We are being creative by finding ways to entertain the kids while we take it day by day, spending our time keeping our children’s minds busy and still learning.

Reading stimulates the brain and opens our kids’ to adventure and possibility. Although the coronavirus has changed our world, books will forever be the best escape for all.

The Day the Crayons Quit, written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Young Duncan wants to color, but when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons as they read all about Duncan’s. Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box — a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading, we couldn’t recommend this read more! Kindergarten to 3rd grade, $16.19

Kindness Starts With You, by Jacquelyn Stagg

Teach your kids all about the importance of kindness with this bestselling children’s book. Follow Maddy through her day at school. From taking turns on the swing to including everyone in the game, this storybook shows that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever gone unnoticed! A lightbulb lesson of kindness is found on each page. Included in the book is a Kindness BINGO download and a Weekly Kindness Challenge to help encourage your child to say sorry, be polite, take turns, be a helping hand, include others, and show respect. Pre-K to 3rd grade, $10.79

The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third by Neil Harris

The third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Magic Misfits series is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited! When a famous ventriloquist arrives in town, the Misfits know he (and his creepy dummy) are up to no good. With their mentor, Mr. Vernon, suddenly called away, can they come together to stop another member of the villainous Emerald Ring? It’s time for Theo to make a choice about where — and with whom — he belongs. Your kids will learn about adventure, friendship, and of course, magic. Grades 3rd to 7th, $16.99

For our whole round-up of books, check out Books from Pre-k to Teenagers During Coronavirus Quarantine