19 Activities For Families to Do When Stuck at Home (Plus 11 Ideas Just for Adults)

ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS (OR FAMILIES TO DO TOGETHER)(Scroll down for activities that apply only to adults)

OUTSIDE

1.  Camp out in your back yard (or even inside, if you have space!). Kids love tents, wherever they are, and even when they aren't sleeping in them. I've noticed my kids like reading in them (especially with flashlights)...so it's a bonus if it motivates them to read more!

2. Create a fairy garden/home. Gather any outdoor materials (leaves, sticks, rocks, moss, flowers, pine cones, nuts, etc.). You can use home materials too.

3.  Build a teepee with sticks. If you have access to trees, you can do this. Take three sticks to form a tripod, and then continue building around it.

ARTS/CRAFTS

4. Tie Dye. Use food coloring and vinegar to tie dye white socks, shirts, or pillow cases.

5. Recycle crayons. Find all your broken crayons, rip off the wrapper, and melt them in the oven to form large crayons.

6. Dye hard-cooked eggs (using food dye and vinegar). It doesn't have to be Easter to do this!

7. Paint clay pots. If you have any boring orange-tone clay pots, give them some new life with craft paint.

TOGETHERNESS

8. Use conversation starters to get to know your family better and have meaningful talks. It's such a primal, but not-so-used form of using our time these days! Use open-ended questions and be creative. Here are some examples: If you had a time machine, what period of time would you go back to, and why? If you could do anything, knowing you wouldn't fail, what would it be? What makes you feel better when you're upset? What would you do if you received a million dollars today? There are lots of websites for ideas; you can google them.

9. Dust off old photo albums and view them together. We make albums and photo books to relive memories, but we so rarely break them out and enjoy them. It's especially fun to show kids photos that predate them, tell them stories of your own childhood, and introduce them to people they may not have ever met.

10. Make pasta from scratch. It takes a lot of time to make tortellini, especially, so it's a great activity for multiple people and keeps hands busy. Plus, it's an activity that's productive and yummy. Pasta Fresca: 2.5c of pasta flour (50% durum wheat), 4 room-temperature eggs, pinch of salt, 2T of olive oil. Mix flour and salt in a bowl, with a well in the middle. Beat eggs with oil and pour them into the mixture, gradually adding flour from the outside. Add an extra egg if the dough is dry. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Roll until the dough is consistent thickness and somewhat transparent. Use a circular cookie cutter, or small tin can to cut out two-inch circles. Add a spoonful of filling. Fold in half, and pinch ends together. Once finished, Add all pasta to boiled water (with a pinch of salt). Cook for 2 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce.

11. Create a gratitude list. The whole family can contribute to it. Maybe put it up on a whiteboard/chalkboard, if you have one. Or post a paper on the refrigerator. Start it off with "I'm thankful for", and let everyone continually add to the list.

12. Exercise together. Even if you don't have gym equipment or large yard/space, you can always do calisthenics. Tabata style is fun, and keeps kids' attention. Do a 15-20 minute workout, with 50 seconds of activity, followed by 10 or rest. Take turns coming up with each exercises (round robin style), or make a list beforehand. There are several tabata timer apps you can download to help.

KINDNESS

13. Write letters to elderly folks who need some extra cheer. This Facebook group posts addresses of those who would appreciate your love.

14. Check in with anyone you know who is sick, in a nursing home, or possibly in a hard financial situation. Offer to deliver them food, or help with any needs they may have.

CLEANLINESS/ORGANIZATION

15. Have kids go through their toys. Toss anything that is broken, and create a pile of things they no longer play with for donation/selling.

16. Give younger kids a bath with some of their well-used/never cleaned toys (that are washable, of course). Let them have fun while helping clean. Then give them a real bath. ;)

SCREENTIME, but much better than watching Frozen 2 on repeat:

17. Use FaceTime/Skype/other video call system) to socially interact with friends. Some board games can be played virtually. If both friends have the game Scattergories, it's one that can work. 

18. On a video call, have kids create collaborative stories. The first child will write down a beginning sentence to a story, and then the other child comes up with the second sentence. You continue taking turns until a full story is developed.

19. Take a virtual field trip.

ADULTS 

1. Organize photos (physical or electronic ones). Go through and delete duplicates. Tag the people in them. Create albums for trips, holidays, birthdays, and activities.

2. Make that baby book for your second (or third, fourth, fifth child - or maybe even your first!)...finally. If you're like me, you saved the first hair clipping and first lost tooth and documented every milestone of your first child, but failed to do the same for the subsequent kids. Now is the time!

3. Write/update your will. This one is not fun, but it is necessary. Legal Zoom offers advice and templates.

4. Do your taxes yourself. Also, not fun. Unless you have any really complicated situation, websites like TurboTax make it really easy with their step-by-step process. 

5. Purge, room by room. Tackle one cabinet, closet, shelf, or dresser at a time.  I like to take everything out, and only put back what we truly need and/or love, and then organize the rest into the following piles: trash, donations, items to sell, items that need relocated in the house (and I keep those in laundry baskets for further sorting).

6. Get creative with cooking. Find the most random thing in the back of your pantry, google recipes for it, and make something new.

7. Have a cook-off with your spouse. Pick a few ingredients and each of you make something different with it. Let kid(s) be the judge(s) of which dish is best.

8. Clean out your email inbox. Let's be honest, we all need to do this.

9. Take a an online course. Here is a list of Ivy League courses you can take for FREE.

10. Organize kids' drawings. Go through any gigantic stack of "kid papers" you may have. For the masterpieces you really love, add their names and ages, and either display them or put them in a file or box. Maybe take photos of their best work (for a photo book or for security, in case the actual ones are ever lost or destroyed). You could save a few that you don't wish to keep and send them to grandparents or folks in nursing homes who could use some cheer (Go back to #13 above). Toss the rest.

11. Sell your higher quality, unwanted items on Ebay or another resale website/app. If you've never done it, it's really not hard, especially once you get a good process going. My advice is to gather all things you want to list first, take photos, and then try to list all at the same time. This way, you can ship off all items that sold all at once (saving trips to the post office). The typical listing time frame is 7 days. Shipping can be paid online, and labels printed from home, so all you have to do is drop off the packages at the post office.

Packing for the Whole Family: PRINTABLE PACKING LIST!

Here is my new and improved Printable Family Packing List. Please let me know if you think anything is missing, or if reformatting is needed! I tried to organize it in a way that is suitable for most families. It's nice to separate carry-on and checked bags, and also have a list for each person.

- Page 2 offers a checklist for 2 children. If you have more, you can print that page more than once. Page 4 is the baby checklist. Obviously, don't print it if you don't need it!

- This is a basic list. You can cross off what you don't need, and I left space to add items not included.



Packing Tips for Flying:

- I keep my travel-sized sanitation spray, hand sanitizer, plus liquid medicine in a clear quart-sized Ziploc bag and put it on top of my carry-on. All the rest of the medicine/first-aid items are in a bag. After going through security, I put the liquids back in that bag so it's all together.

- Keep your large electronics (iPad type devices) on top to easily get them out while going through security.

- Bringing a water bottle per person is a great idea (so much cheaper to fill up at fountains/in restrooms than buy water all the time), but make sure they are empty before going through security!

- If you have a you have a baby/toddler, it's sometimes easier to carry him/her in a carrier and use a stroller to cart around bags!

- Use packing cubes!

- More tips here.



**Check out my other blog posts. Some are random topics, but I have a couple more on traveling with children.

If you want to know when I post something on this blog (I plan to post some more useful info!), or check out tips I only post on FB, join my little group here! I don't profit from it...I just like to share helpful things. :)

Packing For a Family Trip

Traveling as a family is a lot of fun, but packing for the trip can be daunting.  I have some advice, based on our experiences, on how to make it easier!

We've traveled, as a family as seven, to sixteen countries. We've flown more times than I can count, and have also done several long road trips. Each trip is different when it comes to climate, distance, methods of travel, length of stay, number of destinations, and ages of children. However, there are a few principles that apply to each one, and are keys to what I believe make a trip more successful:

1. Packing efficiently, lightly, and smartly

    - Always check the weather at your destination(s) a week in advance, and keep track of it until you leave.

    - Try to book hotels or homes where you can do laundry. Pack no more than 5 outfits total, per person (including clothes in carry-on, and clothes worn while traveling), and do laundry for longer trips. Be sure to pack a small amount of laundry soap/dryer sheets and coins if you plan to do laundry.

    - Always have a small "first aid" kit, to include pain relievers/children's medicine (in the event of sickness or emergency, you won't want to go out searching for a pharmacy). Use a well-labeled and secure pill box for medication.

    - Use travel-sized items. I recommend 2oz. Toob reusable bottles.  They are pricey, but worth it. These are very durable, well-made, and a good size for the whole family. They make 3 oz. bottles as well.

    - Don't pack items that take up a lot of room, but can easily be bought at the destination (diapers).

      - We pack all clothing and toiletries into one large hard-cased suitcase. Each person has their own backpack with snacks, electronic device, headphones, books, etc. This makes it manageable to travel without my husband. Breaking it up into two smaller suitcases may work better, and it may be beneficial if you stay in multiple destinations, or if weight of the one large suitcase is an issue (for air travel), but it IS possible for a large family to only need one suitcase!
     
     - Always have travel documents, information, and tickets printed and with you, in the case something happens to your phone/other electronic device.

    - Pack a car adapter and air vent phone holder if you plan to rent a car and use your phone as a GPS.

    - Always have some cash on hand. If you travel to a foreign country, you can exchange it. 

Click HERE for a printable family packing list. This is tailored more for a trip by air, but can be used for road trips too. You can always cross off what you don't need and add what you do! 

2. Organization

     - Use packing cubes! Buy one color per person, so you can easily identify to whom each one belongs. Place one whole outfit in each bag (including underwear and socks). I recommend the ones we have, which are from Ebags They come in size small, medium, and large, and slim, and they have a variety of colors. I suggest size small for children outfits, small or medium for women's outfits, and medium for men's. The large ones are useful to put everyone's pajamas in, as well as everyone's swimsuits.

    - Pack a compact backpack to be used for small trips within large trips, or to bring home souvenirs!

    - Put shoes in drawstring shoe bags. 

    - Pack a laundry bag for worn clothes.

    - Don't forget to put your carry-on liquids in clear sealable bag.

    

Watch this video to see the sizes and what fits in each bag. If it doesn't work, try this link. :)

I've written some more recommendations for family travel:

Tips and Tricks for Air Travel with Kids

Tips and Tricks for Air Travel with a Baby

Keeping Kids Entertained While Traveling Without Electronics

Information on Naples, Italy for Military Families

INFO on Naples, Italy for Military Families

HOUSING and AMENITITES

-          I can’t speak for the base housing, as we live off base in Pozzuoli. However, I have lived in base housing in Newport, RI, Atsugi and Iwakuni, Japan. From my understanding, the pros/cons here are very similar to what I experienced. If you enjoy a tight-knit community feel, it’s the place to be. While your house/apartment may be smaller than an off base one, it’s certainly safe, doesn’t cost anything out of pocket, and you can enjoy all the great space the SS offers. There are lots of large grassy areas and playgrounds, and you can easily walk to everything. The downsides are the “fishbowl” feel (you see everyone you know…everywhere!).

-          You may be directly assigned to base housing. It will completely depend on timing, but you may not have the choice to live out in town. It is possible to be granted a waiver, but it’s not an easy process, from what I understand.

-          All base housing is on what is called the Support Site. It is located in Gricignano, not Naples proper.

-          The SS has a NEX, commissary, schools, gym, CDC, movie theater, food court, salon, eye center, phone store, thrift shop, post office, library, gym, chapel, and outdoor pool. This is also where TLA (Navy Lodge) is located.

-          Most commands are located at Capodochino, which is in downtown Naples, and about 20 minutes from the SS. There are shuttles that go between the two.

-          Capo is mostly commands, but has a CDC, mini-nex, theater, indoor pool, gym, post office, food court, and phone store.

-          The NATO base, JFC, is another location service members may work.  It’s located in Lago Patria, which is also roughly 15-20 minutes (different direction) from the SS. Even if you don’t have a spouse working there, you can still gain access to the amenities such as the pool, classes, and stores.

-          Carney Park is a beautiful park with a golf course, playgrounds, sports fields, camping ground, and outdoor pool that is property of the US military. It’s located in Pozzuoli on a volcanic crater.

SCHOOLS

     -          Our kids finished out the last few months of school at the DoDEA school on base.  There is an Italian immersion program there, and my son was it. I was not satisfied with it (We want our children to learn to speak the language fluently). If you really want your children to learn the language, I suggest sending them to an international (bilingual) school. Ours now go to De Santis in Pozzuoli. There are some English speaking teachers and students, but it's basically all Italian, and the student have an English course. This school offers a nursery as well. It depends on the age/grade, but it's roughly 230 Euros a month and they'll do discounts for siblings. They offer afterschool activites for an extra (pretty small) fee - guitar, piano, sports, and karate. It's super convenient because the kids go directly after school is over.

-          There are many international schools near the SS and throughout the area. Many provide childcare for toddlers too, and the rates are very affordable.o

TRAVEL

-          Traveling to other countries from Naples is SO easy and can be very cheap. You can park on base (free) at Capo and walk to the commercial airport. There are a lot of budget airlines that fly from here.

UPON ARRIVAL

-          The Navy Lodge has apartment style rooms and townhouses. If it’s full, you’ll most likely go to a hotel across the street from the base, called the Tulip Inn. This hotel is very nice, offers large rooms with kitchenette, it has free breakfast and an outdoor pool, but they do not provide kitchenware. There isn’t a laundry room there either.

-          If you are allowed to live off base, and choose to do so, it’s a bit of a process, and requires a lot of patience. Most people spend a couple of months in TLA before moving into a home. Searching for a home takes time, but it also takes a good bit of time for required inspections and paperwork once you’ve found the home. It’s very important to find a home with a good landlord, so I recommend getting references if possible.

MONEY

-           Check the COLA calculator for Naples. You can make a SUBSTANTIAL amount of money here. When you check the calculator, realize that the amount is for a two week period (so the monthly rate is double that). COLA, if you aren't aware, is Cost Of Living Allowance, and it's an entitlement you receive for the duration of your tour. It fluctuates every pay period, but you can get an idea of what is by checking the past payments on the calculator. This money is ON TOP of base pay and OHA and other entitlements like flight pay, etc. 

-       If you live in town, you also receive a housing allowance (OHA) and stipend for other bills. You can live VERY comfortably on these. 

-          Some things are cheaper here (a typical pizza is 4 euros and a bottle of decent wine can be cheaper than a bottle of water), fresh produce, cheese, and meat are available and cheap all over.

-          Gas is more expensive. However, you can purchase vouchers through the NEX that you can use at local gas stations. So you end up paying for gas at a price more comparable to what you’d pay in the states. You are only allotted a certain amount of vouchers to purchase though, so once you’ve used your monthly amount, you have to pay out of pocket the same price as locals. We’ve never used up our monthly amount, and we have two cars and commute a decent amount.

CARS

-          You can ship your own car here. We didn’t. We bought two used cars while here. If you buy from another military member, it’s an easy process. You have to go through a two week “background check” process if you buy a car from an Italian (commercial or independent sale). There are always several cars for sale by military members. Keep in mind that most are MANUAL not automatic. Also, it’s much harder to find a van or any vehicle that seats more than 5. Most used cars sell in the range of $1000-8000 range.  Our van was $2000.

-          You get your license in the Area Orientation Brief, so make sure to do the class as soon as you get here.  It’s possible to get to work at Capo by shuttle, and take public transportation from there, but it’s much easier and convenient to get set up with a vehicle sooner rather than later.

ENVIRONMENT/SAFTEY

-          The Navy doesn’t pay to have local water tested, so if you live out in town, you are provided water (either through bottles or Culligan’s service). It’s mandated that the landlord pays for it.

-          There is quite a bit of trash along some roads and in town. It bothers some people, but it can also be overlooked. Our particular community is clean, and I don’t see any trash on our daily commute to school, and the places we frequent. It’s out there though, and you’ll see some areas are much worse off than others.

-          There is a good bit of petty crime in the area. Thankfully, there isn’t a lot of violence, but theft is somewhat common. You have to be smart and cautious. All off base homes are required to have a security system. You have to be careful where you park, and it’s of course advisable to never leave anything valuable in your car.

CULTURE

-          There is SO much to offer here. The Amalfi coast is super close. Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius are “next door”. Rome is quick train ride or a few hours drive. Like I said before, there are several budget airlines that operate here. Naples itself has tons to do. The Gaeta and Naples MWR/FFSC offer trips almost daily. There are tons of cooking classes, events, and activities to be involved in. TONS.