The school holidays have come earlier than expected for many parents across the country due to the rise of COVID-19 infections. The decision to close schools early was made by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 27 June, as he moved the country to alert level 4. 

While many parents are breathing a sigh of relief with the school closures, they now have to develop ideas for keeping their children engaged and safe at home during the school holidays. 

We share some ideas of engaging activities you can do with your kids. 

Reading instead of screentime 

While letting your kids spend time watching their favourite shows might be the easiest thing to do, too much screen time can lead to many problems for children. So instead of watching their tv shows throughout the day, set up some time for reading. Ask your kids to pick their favourite books for the week and create a schedule for them to read daily. 

Spend some quality time together with your children 

With most parents working from home, spending some quality time with your children is not always easy. If possible, block an hour from your work calendar to ensure that you spend time with them. You can make lunch together and just catch up with your kids. This will also be an opportunity for you to take a break from work.

Do some exercises together 

There are many benefits to exercising, which include boosting your immune system. Plan an exercise routine that is easy and manageable for you and your family. This way, exercising will be more fun for everyone. Squeezing in 30-minutes of exercise is not only beneficial for weight loss, but it is also a great way to relieve stress and develop healthy habits. 

Keep your family safe 

Kids want to play with their friends; however, while social interaction with peers is essential, with the numbers continuing to rise in the country, the best decision is to keep your kids at home to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. We hope the tips above will keep your children engaged until the school holidays are over.