The Stay at Home Guide for Parents
Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
Families are spending more time at home together than ever before. The kitchen table has transformed into both the office and the classroom. The backyard hosts the kids' gym classes and adult workouts. Playdates and coffee dates happen in front of a computer—as do medical appointments and mental health care. It's a trying time for everyone, but no one is in it alone. Use this guide to inspire play, plan celebrations, maintain learning and work, and keep your sanity as we all get through this time together.
Play at Home
Play is The Perfect Antidote to Anxiety in These Times
Kids worry just like adults do, but during the coronavirus pandemic their fears may be escalated. Experts explain how parents can help calm their anxious child through play.
By Kate Orson
Credit:
Eric Jeon
-
8 (Better) Ways to Organize Your Kid's Toys
Pro organizers share their best hacks for a tidier, happier playroom, plus clever solutions for how to store stuffed animals, art supplies, and other awkward items. -
40 Fun Would-You-Rather Questions for Kids
These funny and thoughtful questions for all ages are not only a totally free way to have fun as a family, but a great way to get to know your kid on a whole new level. -
17 Fun Indoor Games and Activities for Kids
Break out these creative indoor play ideas for kids if you're cooped up at home. All you'll need are a few simple, inexpensive supplies. -
14 Easy Ways to Make Your Backyard More Fun
Encourage your kids to explore, build, create, or just relax in the outdoors with these fun, creative, and inspiring ideas for your lawn.
-
9 Multiplayer Games That Are Totally Fun to Play Virtually
If you've exhausted all your go-to family game night options, check out these online games and apps that were made for keeping kids entertained at home. -
12 Virtual Activities for Kids That'd Be Fun Even If You Weren't Stuck at Home
Finding social distance-friendly activities for kids' playtime can be challenging. Thankfully, there are a bevy of interactive activities popping up online at every turn. -
50 Ways to Get Through Coronavirus Cabin Fever
Use this list of creative activities for kids to create a jar of fun things to do at home—then pull them out when boredom strikes.
Craft at Home
11 Easy Craft Ideas for Kids to Make With Stuff You Have at Home
Going out to snag art supplies might be out of the question as we social distance, but there are plenty of simple, fun crafts kids can do during quarantine that require materials you already have on hand.
By Maressa Brown
Credit:
Primary
-
5 Easy and Crafty Ways to Bring the Outdoors Indoors
Engage your little one in activities that help them connect with nature and sneak in a little learning too. -
9 Easy Educational Crafts for Toddlers to Do at Home
From painting to tracing, leaf prints to homemade necklaces, these craft ideas for toddlers will keep your kid busy while improving their motor skills and social-emotional development. -
7 Educational Yet Easy Crafts for 3-Year-Olds That Promote a Love of Learning
Looking for some educational arts and crafts for 3-year-olds? These seven clever options promote growth and development while keeping your little one entertained. -
14 Fun Fall Crafts for Kids
We dare you not to fall in love (pun intended) with these easy leaf, pine cone, and acorn crafts perfect for toddlers and preschoolers to do at home this autumn. -
6 Educational Crafts for 1-Year-Olds You Can Easily Do at Home
Looking for educational activities for your 1-year-old? These at-home crafts can aid his growth and development, helping him achieve important milestones.
Find more fun crafts and activities here.
Learn at Home
27 Ways to Teach Your Kid's Favorite Subjects at Home
Try some tips from educators, actors, athletes, and even an astronaut to truly spark your kid's curiosity—whether they’re studying in the classroom, at the kitchen table, or both.
By Erin Zammett Ruddy
Credit:
Priscilla Gragg
-
The Best Homeschooling Resources Online
Whether you've made the decision to homeschool or you're still considering the option, here are resources to offer help and guidance. -
The Best Learning Apps for Kids
We tapped tech and education experts for their picks in the crowded kids’ app space, then gave a panel of junior testers permission to play. What we discovered: Great learning apps are almost as hard to find as disinfectant wipes—but they do exist. Here are some gems to help you out this school year.
-
How to Find a Tutor During the Pandemic
Whether your family is embracing a hybrid in-school and at-home learning schedule, distance learning, or homeschooling this year, here are some smart ways to find the best tutor for your family's needs. -
3 Best Augmented Reality Apps for Education
Feel better about screen time this summer while also blowing your kid’s mind with these augmented-reality apps available for both iOS and Android devices. -
How to Help Kids Who've Regressed at School: 15 Tips for Every Subject
Whether it's your child's reading skills that have slid post-pandemic or their counting, experts offer easy ways to get them back on track at home.
Eat at Home
22 Ways to Make Cooking With Kids More Fun
Scared they’ll get hurt? Scared they'll get flour everywhere? Hate to waste food? Chefs, food bloggers, and nutritionists dish on how they train their kids in the kitchen—and keep it fun for everyone.
By Karen Cicero
Credit:
Stephanie Rausser
-
Your Weeknight Dinner Plan: 40 Easy Recipes
We’ve planned days worth of dinner for you. With just a little bit of prep, your weeknights will go much more smoothly. -
5 One-Pot Meals for Easy Family Dinners
Save time (and dishes!) with these comforting chicken, pasta, chili, and rice recipes that require just a Dutch oven and a couple of common essentials. -
25 Best Pantry Staples to Add to Your Grocery List
This year, we’ve never appreciated grocery essentials more, so we asked chefs, dietitians, food bloggers, and Parents editors to tell us what healthy pantry items they couldn’t live without—and then we gave the goods to families for a taste test. Here are the winning products that wowed busy parents and picky eaters alike.
-
3 Slow-Cooker Cocktails Perfect for Cold Winter Nights
Your favorite kitchen appliance is also genius when it comes to cocktails. Plug in your slow cooker for these boozy beverages perfect for a holiday party. -
How to Bake Focaccia Bread With Your Kids
One way to turn your kid on to vegetables? Let them use tomatoes, peppers, and more to transform crusty-chewy (no-knead!) bread into an edible masterpiece.
Find more family-friendly recipes here.
Celebrate at Home
-
How to Celebrate Birthdays Without a Big Party
You don’t need a long guest list or a pile of presents. Start sweet traditions that make your child’s big day the best of the year. -
Virtual Baby Shower Ideas For When Loved Ones Can't Be There
Traditional baby shower are getting a virtual twist while the country fights the coronavirus pandemic with social distancing measures. From how to host the perfect video hangout to what games to play, here's how to make your remote celebration a memorable one. -
A Parent's Guide to Virtual Playdates During Social Distancing
With schools closed, kids haven't seen their friends in weeks. Virtual playdates can keep kids socially connected to their networks—and are fairly low lift for already stressed parents. -
13 Printable Christmas Coloring Pages to Get Kids in the Holiday Spirit
There’s nothing quite like the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. When your kids need a moment to unwind, whip out these free printable Christmas coloring pages. They’ll entertain your little ones and build excitement for Santa’s arrival!
-
7 Santa Claus Coloring Pages for the Holiday Season
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Get out the markers and get kids in the holiday spirit with these free Santa Claus coloring pages.
-
7 Elf on the Shelf Inspired Coloring Pages
The Elf on the Shelf is a beloved book and holiday tradition involving Santa’s scout elves. They report to the North Pole every night before Christmas, and when they return to their families in the morning, they “hide” in different spots. Get your child excited for the festive game with seven coloring pages of the mischievous, clever characters.
Work at Home
How to Master Working From Home—While Under Quarantine With Kids
The spread of the coronavirus is forcing working parents into telecommute situations across the country. If you’re struggling to stay productive while working from home, these tips from full-time work-from-home moms may help.
By Brooke Lea Foster
Credit:
George Rudy/Shuttestock
-
Supernanny Jo Frost Shares Her Top Work-from-Home Advice for Parents During the Pandemic
As remote and hybrid learning schedules become the new norm, Jo Frost is coming to the rescue with smart rules to help working parents balance school days and the workweek. -
People Share Hilarious Tales of Their Children as 'Coworkers,' Because Now They Basically Are
Parents who are now working from home are flooding Twitter with hilarious re-imaginings of their kids as coworkers. -
The Real Mom's Guide to Getting S*%t Done When Working From Home: 6 Hilariously Effective Ways to Buy You Time
In an effort to help you stay productive and sane(ish) during the coronavirus pandemic, here are a few playful tips that will make working from home with your kids just a little bit less stressful. -
20 Activities That Are Actually Doable If You're Working From Home With a Toddler
Here's how to keep toddlers and preschoolers busy while everyone is practicing social distancing due to the coronavirus—and not lose your mind. -
Just a Reminder For Anyone Who Needs It: It's Illegal to Fire Someone for Having Kids On Their Zoom Call
San Diego mom Dris Wallace says she was fired from her full-time job in the financial industry because her boss didn't want to hear her kids in the background on calls.
Exercise at Home
-
I’m a Mom and a Barre Instructor: Here Are 7 Moves You Can Do at Home
Get your body moving at home with these simple and fun barre techniques. All you need is a countertop, sink, heavy chair, or sofa and some good music to boot. -
16 Strength-Training Exercises for Kids
These exercises use your own body weight to help build strength. They're perfect for kids and the whole family to do together. -
9 Quick Tips for an At-Home Workout
You'll burn calories while doing chores with these moves that will leave you feeling energized, refreshed, and best of all, with time to spare! -
Virtual Zumbini Classes Are An Adorable (and Stress-Relieving) Social Distancing-Friendly Activity
Billed as "happy hour for you and your baby," Zumbini classes engage kids up to 4 years old with music, dance and educational tools. And now you can hop online to enjoy them with your little one virtually. -
7 Ways to Exercise at Home With a Toddler or Preschooler
At home with a rambunctious toddler or preschooler? Here's how to exercise in a way that gets your heart pumping and helps run down their energy, too. -
10 Ways to Exercise as a Family
How to get the whole family moving—together.
Thrive at Home
7 Online Support Groups for Parents During COVID-19 Pandemic
Looking to connect with parents going through the pandemic just like you? These online support groups can be just the place to vent, get or give advice, or simply know you're not in this alone.
By Kristi Pahr
Credit:
Westend61/Getty Images
-
Free Mental Health Resources for Families
There's no need to stress over finding free mental health care. Here are several mental wellness bolstering services and resources that don't cost a dime. -
How to Help Kids Deal with Disappointment
So much of life is about looking forward to things, and a change of plans can hit children especially hard. But kids actually benefit from feeling disappointed, especially when you teach them how to bounce back. -
The Best Virtual Resources for Moms
Whatever parenting issue you’re facing—a newborn who won’t nap or a career in need of a postbaby pivot—there’s a robust digital world of experts and support available to anyone with Wi-Fi. Here’s how to log on and find a lifeline. -
The Dos and Don’ts of Talking About the Coronavirus With Kids
Parents aren’t the only ones anxious about the spread of COVID-19. If your child feels uneasy about the latest news reports, use these tips to keep her informed without spreading unnecessary fear. -
5 At-Home Date Night Ideas That Are More Fun Than Dinner and a Movie
Couples share their real-life date night ideas to inspire your in-house hangout.
