Racking your brains on how to keep your little ones entertained at home during the lockdown? Take cues from these tips
In partnership with Petrosains, The Discovery Centre®
Whether you’re a homebody or a social butterfly, no one is immune to the effects of cabin fever right now, least of all kids. As you count down the days till you’re able to roam free without the risk of catching Covid-19, here are some family-friendly activities to help you keep the little ones entertained, without relying on their screens all day.
1) Try some simple kid-friendly science experiments at home
Using everyday household items, engage the kids in DIY science experiments that will provide a fun, hands-on way to introduce them to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts. Try your hand at recreating Petrosains’ demonstration of floating a paper clip – a lesson in surface tension – with just a pencil, a piece of tissue paper, a paper clip and a bowl of water. You can even make a game of it to see who can float the most clips.
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Could a paper clip float on water? Our science communicator, Norfarhana Ramlee, encourages you to try this out and you will be amazed at how you can make this tiny piece of metal float on water! #PetrosainsPrihatin #Petrosains2020 #Petrosains #PerintahKawalanPergerakan #StayCalm #KeepClean #SocialDistancing #COVID19 #thursdayvibes #thursdayfun #thursdayfunday #dudukrumah #paperclip #paperclips #scienceisfun #scienceexperiment #scienceexperimentsforkids #scienceforkids #Healthforall
2) Educate the little ones about the importance of personal hygiene
The Covid-19 pandemic has showed us all just how important it is to wash our hands, but children can sometimes find it hard to understand the power of soap to keep viruses at bay. Use this experiment by Petrosains to show them what happens when oil (representing the oil on your skin that clings to germs) and water mix, and the difference a dollop of soap can make.
3) Use science to brew yourself a fresh cup of dalgona coffee
Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, a new craze has emerged. People the world over are taking to social media to participate in the dalgona coffee challenge. A frothy, two-toned drink that originated in South Korea, this whipped coffee not only looks enticing but is easy to brew at home. Follow Petrosains’ recipe, which explains the chemistry behind whisking the ingredients together to create the coffee’s creamy texture.
4) Challenge the family to debunk as many Covid-19 myths as possible
Can canines carry Covid-19? Will warm weather stop the spread of the virus? Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you from contracting the disease? What about the consumption of raw garlic? As long as everyone at home is glued to the Internet, why not use it to research and debunk the wackiest myths about Covid-19? Petrosains has busted many and here is one for you – contrary to popular belief, spraying alcohol on the body is not going to kill the coronavirus.
5) Take part in online quizzes and games
Whether it’s bingo challenges on Instagram or multiplayer games with a FaceTime component, there are tons of new ways to entertain and educate yourself during this time of social distancing. Petrosains, for instance, posts online puzzles and quizzes regularly, so you won’t have to go a day without some mental stimulation.
These five ideas are courtesy of Petrosains, The Discovery Centre®, which is housed in the national landmark that is Kuala Lumpur’s PETRONAS Twin Towers. For more ways to keep yourself occupied, head to Petrosains, The Discovery Centre’s website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages.