While you’re reading, talk about the characters’ feelings. How do you know? What facial clues, body language or words in the book indicate their feelings? Talk about the characters’ behaviors too. What other choices could they make instead? 

During a meal time, start a conversation about the best and most challenging part of the day. Then, share a positive moment. 

Ask a sibling or another family member to help you build a tower out of blocks, cards, or other materials. Share something you’re grateful for with every piece you add. 

Build forts and engage in imaginative/creative play together as a family. 

Play board games and other group games like hide and seek. Practice turn-taking, sharing, and working through small frustrations (e.g., losing the game, not getting the color game piece you want, not getting to take the first turn, etc.) 

Do an act of kindness! Think of a small way to make someone smile. (Example: Draw your teacher a picture for when you get back to school!) 

Practice your “I Feel” statements! During a meal time, share how you’re feeling and why. For example: “I feel hopeful that I’ll be able to chat with my friend on the phone tonight”. 

Go on a scavenger hunt around your house, yard, or neighborhood if you’re able. Have a grown-up make a list of things to look out for (squirrels, buds on trees, flowers, robins) OR make a list yourself - can you find items for each color of the rainbow in your house? 

Plan and cook a meal together as a family 

With adult permission, get outside & move! Go for a bike ride, run around with a pet, or do some yoga in the sunshine. 

Do you have any house plants at home? Measure your plant once a week to see how it’s grown. If you can't find a plant inside, see if you can find a good one in your yard.

Role play some common challenges at home or school. Think together about the different ways you can problem solve! 

Make one on your own, or have an adult help make a list of activities you want to complete today, and check them off as you go. 

Time yourself to see how long it takes you to do different chores around the house! How fast can you go while still getting your chore done correctly? 

Play games that require monitoring and fast responses because they’re great for challenging attention and quick decision-making! The card game Spit, for example, requires attending to your own play as well as your opponents’ progress. 

Play games that involve strategy, like Chess or Checkers. 

Keep practicing something you enjoy! Is it a dance routine, musical instrument, painting, drawing, or something else? You’ll be surprised how much progress you make when you practice every day. 

Take a break and name your feeling! Ask other people at home how they are feeling, and remember that they only have to share if they feel comfortable to. 

Try some brain teasers. Have a parent or caregiver look up safe websites to try things like Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and word and picture searches. 

Think about how a pet might be feeling while you’re home. What might make them feel happy? Can you write a story from your pet's perspective?

Make up a story! Go around in a circle with the people you’re home with, each taking a turn to say a sentence to make a whole story. 

Do some research and find out if your favorite celebrities help other people. In what ways do they share their time or money, or put their fame to good use? What did you find out? 

Have you ever stopped to notice how your thoughts change with your moods? Next time you're feeling down, try to notice your thoughts. Are they helpful, or are they making you feel worse? Could you change them just a little to make them more helpful?