These ideas will sharpen young minds, spark their creativity and provide some fun.

• Have them help take inventory of pantry items. They can arrange the items neatly by size, shape, category (canned, dry, boxed) or even alphabetically, and they can count how many of each item you have on hand. It could make meal planning easier when you know just what you’ve got in the cupboard.
• Give them a roll of blue painter’s tape and some sidewalk chalk to create a mural on your driveway, sidewalk or patio. Or write a thank you or uplifting message to passersby.
• Little ones love playing with water—take a cleaning activity outside! On your patio or deck, fill a plastic tub or baby pool with soapy water and have them wash their toys.
• Go camping in your backyard! Set up a tent, have a campfire and roast s'mores. While the weather is nice, leave the tent up for a quiet reading space or clubhouse.
• Cooking and baking with kids might be messy, but they love helping out. Make it a learning experience by talking about measurements and fractions, following directions and setting the timer.
• Put on some music and dance up a storm! There’s nothing better for eliciting giggles and shaking those sillies out…and for boosting endorphins, which can help with learning, memory and concentration. Throw in some Simon Says-type commands for an extra mental and physical challenge.

There are many more ways to keep kids engaged – from puzzles and riddles to making your own mazes on loose-leaf paper. Or, have kids make up the rules to a new game…the possibilities are endless (and the fun is too).