As we find ourselves in lockdown in Sydney, for those at home with kids, trying to find things to keep them entertained can be a little daunting.

Tiny Terrors are a Sydney based team of behaviour consultants for in-home parenting and behaviour support. As a team, we have put our heads together to share some activities to keep the fun (and your sanity!) going.

21 stay-at-home activities with kids during the Sydney lockdown

1. Teddy Bear’s Picnic

Even if restrictions prevent you heading out to your usual favourite picnic spot, a backyard teddy bear’s picnic or even a blanket spread out on the loungeroom floor can help break the monotony.

2. Become a Ninja Warrior

Take inspiration from TV show Ninja Warrior and get the kids moving through an improvised obstacle course. Set up in the backyard or indoors and time each run and crown your winner.

3. Green thumb gardeners

Give the kids a garden plot to plant and look after or pot up a planter box with herbs and vegetables.  Here are the best options for planting now in winter. 

4. DIY Ten Pin Bowling

Line up some empty plastic bottles in the hallway and use an old pair of socks wrapped into a ball to create a quick and easy game of indoor bowling.

5. Hollywood is calling

Make a movie. Children can write a script, put together costumes and design sets and then film using an iPhone or iPad.

6. A classic movie-a-thon

Hold a themed movie afternoon to revisit some family favourites. We love Matilda, Little Rascals, The Lion King and Pocahontas! Get younger kids to make movie tickets, set up cinema seats and rustle up a bowl of microwave popcorn before you settle in.   

7. Cook up a storm

Use online apps for some recipe inspiration to use up the food or ingredients you have on hand. Younger children can be your ‘kitchen assistant’ as you cook, grating cheese, peeling potatoes, and setting the table. 

8. Spot a feathered friend

You can use Birdlife Australia’s bird-finder tool to identify any feathered friends you see in your backyard or neighbourhood.

9. Lego lovers

If you have a mountain of old Lego tucked away, try setting up a table in your living or play area and challenging the kids to design and build a cubby house, rocket ship, unicorn, playground, car, dinosaur, mini city, spinning top, fairy land… You might find yourself joining in.

10. Post a letter

Write a letter to a grandparent, aunty, or friends overseas. Include photos or drawings, buy a stamp, and let your child deliver it to the post box.   

11. National Geographic Kids

A great science resource is National Geographic Kids. It is full of videos, games and experiments kids of any age will enjoy! We especially love the Weird but True! – Fast Facts; a collection of crazy, strange facts you will love learning about!

12. Board Games

Unplug their devices and spend some family time together playing board games. There is a board game to suit all ages and skill level. Some are easy to learn, like Snakes and Ladders and Uno, whilst others take some time, like Monopoly and Cluedo. And most board games have educational benefits…just do not tell your kids that!

13. Lockdown Music Playlist

Create a themed playlist for this school holiday lockdown for all the family to listen to. Its easy to create on the free app Spotify.

14. Yoga

Head online to find online yoga classes to do as a family on YouTube. We especially love Cosmic Kids Yoga – interactive adventures which build strength, balance, and confidence – and get kids into yoga and mindfulness early!

15. Treasure Hunting

Set up an indoor or backyard treasure or scavenger hunt for younger children. Give them a list of things to find and whoever finishes the list first wins. 

16. Make an Art station

Gather some paints, paintbrushes, glitter, paper or canvases and let the kids unleash their inner artist. Set them up in the backyard or garage with drop sheets in case things get messy!

Do you have any other fun and creative ideas for keeping kids entertained during lockdown to share with the Tiny Terrors community? Please share in the comments below.