• MONDAY JUNE 8

  • mindful activity for adults & kids

    • Take a few minutes to do a full body scan and/or have your kids do the same.  The intentions here are to check in with your body and to focus your attention.  Here is a family-friendly, guided body scan video: 3 Minute Body Scan Meditation (3:26).   

  • kindness toward self & others

    • What is one healthy thing you can add to your routine to take better care of yourself?  What is one easy task your kids can do to take care of their bodies?  Drinking water is one great example.  Add one simple healthy habit to your schedule.

  • educational activity

    • Learn about some of the healthy ways to take care of your body.

  • creative activity

    • Complete one of the activities located in this "Healthy Habits for Life" booklet from Sesame Street or come up with your own.

  • additional resources

    • TED Talk on trying new habits for 30 days at a time (3:12)

    • Full U of M list of healthy habits for kids with resources

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• TUESDAY JUNE 9

  • mindful activity for adults & kids

    • Quality time is important, but so is time for yourself.  Many people struggle to be alone with their own thoughts, kids included, because we live in a world where there's always something to do (i.e., phones in our hands, etc).  Adults and kids should make it a priority to learn to be still with themselves.​  Additionally, kids are becoming less and less used to having to fill their time themselves, as entertainment is often provided for them by parents, devices, etc.  It is important they learn this.

  • kindness toward self & others

    • Really check in to see if you and/or your kids have spent enough time by yourselves.  Are there healthy boundaries?  Personal space?  Creating space each adult or child can take partial ownership of at different times can also lend itself well to better overall boundaries.  Encourage yourself and/or your kids to create a dedicated "solo time" each day, even if it's just 15-30 minutes.  Families can also benefit from a larger chunk of time to do their own thing.  An example of this is "Solo Sunday," where each member of the family is responsible for entertaining themselves in their rooms/space between lunch and dinner.

  • educational activity

    • 9 Reasons to Spend Time With Yourself (4:12)

    • Give kids suggestions for 'room time' or 'solo time,' such as seeing if they can learn one new thing that they can then share with everyone after you all come back together.  Adults can do this too (i.e., each read a book on your own then discuss after)!

  • creative activity

    • Come up with at least one creative activity you can do by yourself and/or encourage your kids to do this.  Go into a room and look at all the things you have in there- puzzles or toys that haven't been touched in months, if ever- or books that have yet to be cracked.  Can you just lay in bed and listen to music?  Making time for solo, creative activities utilizes the right side of your brain, which gives your mind a temporary reprieve from trying to make sense of everything, as our left brains try to do.  Give yourself a little creative peace and solo space.

  • additional resources

    • 10 Ways Parents Can Find Alone Time (article)

    • Kids Need Time For Themselves (article)

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• WEDNESDAY JUNE 10

  • mindful activity & kindness towards self/others​

    • For those who have animals, when was the last time you REALLY checked in on them?  Do they need their nails clipped?  Are they spending SO much time around you that their separation anxiety is amped?  Do they need a bath?  Are you giving them attention or just being home but not really with them?  Take some time to pay attention to your animal family members.  Even though they might like having you home more, it's also a LOT of change for them and it's important that they still have a routine too.

    • Once you've checked in on them, spend time with them.  Animals are calming.  They are intuitive.  Sit outside with them, cuddle up on the couch, and/or go for a walk.  See if you can incorporate an extra walk per day or even a longer walk per week.  It'll get you all outside more, which is important for everyone.

  • educational & creative activity

    • This "Kid's Korner" guide has pet care sheets for kids on how to care for and interact with cats and dogs.  There is also a kids' activity book with coloring, games, and guides for kids to fill out as a creative way to help them learn more about caring for pets.

  • additional resources

    • 10 Responsible Pet Care Tips

    • SPCA Pet Care for Kids and Teens

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• THURSDAY JUNE 11

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • As much as we want to get out of our houses, we sometimes forget that we can simply go outside.  Make mindful time to spend in nature.  Go for a walk- even a short one- and remember that going out does not necessarily have to mean to a store or other place.  Additionally, when we are at home more, we are more apt to be impacted by the weather, so pay attention to what the weather is doing and how that might impact your mood.  Make space for rainy days and sunny days alike.

  • kindness toward self & others​​​​

    • Adults and/or kids can take some time to do something nice for nature.  The Earth got a little bit of breathing room with so many people staying at home, but now that many places are allowing re-opening activities, it is extra important to try to be kinder to the planet.  Recycle.  Plant a tree. Water your plants.  Be kind.​

  • educational activity

    • Talk to kids about seasons and the weather (even if you live where it's warm all the time).  Nat Geo Kids "Weather" Video (7:08)

  • creative activity

    • Weather-themed activity worksheets: HERE, HERE, & HERE

  • additional resources

    • 17 Rainy Day Date Ideas Other Than Netflix

    • 50 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

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• FRIDAY JUNE 12

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • Get up and dance!  That's right: dance it out.  Take some time to move today.  Dance from room to room.  Dance while cleaning the house.  Dance in your home office chair (or couch).  Dance! Dance Monkey Song (3:27)

  • kindness toward self & others

    • Something that holds adults and kids back from dancing, even when they really want to, is fear- fear that you won't be 'good' at dancing or that others are dancing. This is the common sentiment behind the phrase "Dance like nobody's watching."  To be kind toward yourself, quit worrying and start dancing.  It doesn't matter how you move, just move, and encourage kids to do the same.  Dance Like Nobody's Watching Video (1:40)

  • educational activity

    • Elephants Cannot Dance! read aloud video (3:14)

  • creative activity

    • Have a dance party!  Dress up in costumes, fancy clothes, or whatever other fun ideas you'd like.  This is especially helpful for anyone who missed a dance- father/daughter, homecoming, etc.  While it won't ever be the same as the real thing, it can be fun in its own way- plus, it's a nice excuse to change and dress up!

  • additional resources

    • 3 Ways Dancing Relieves Stress (article for adults)

    • 34 minutes of Kidz Bop dance along videos

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While the order of these activities has more of a flow this week, please feel free to pick and choose at your own discretion.  Most activities have links in the descriptions, but feel free to reach out if you have any follow-up questions regarding anything in this week's schedule. Have fun!