According to my Screen Time app, I spent 29 hours and 20 minutes on my phone last week. And that was down 10 percent from the previous week. That averages out to about four hours a day. That number only takes into consideration time on my phone; it doesn’t include time on my laptop or time in front of Netflix — but perhaps that’s a number I don’t want to know about. However, with that in mind, I will endeavor to seek out and include at least one activity for our stay-at-home time that leads us away from the screen. This week, we have more celebrity story times, creative ideas for contributing to the better good and an indoor make-it activity for kids.
Make an indoor basketball hoop with Miss Jenny
The Hancock County Public Library Facebook page is chock full of activities, read-aloud stories and links to online content. At facebook.com/HancockCountyPublicLibrary/videos/844470486051235, Miss Jenny leads viewers through the steps of making an indoor basketball goal using things found around the house such as a wire hanger, a piece of cardboard (for the backboard), scissors and tape. It’s a fun idea that will keep kids busy with a creative project and later as they play with it in the house. The library’s Facebook page also features videos on creating snickerdoodle cookies in a mug, some Earth Day craft activities and a visit with Bentley’s Buddies.
More story time from celebrities
First lady Janet Holcomb reads aloud “Old Whiskers Escapes!” by Donna Griffin and illustrated by former Indianapolis Star political cartoonist Gary Varvel on Facebook. It’s a true story of Benjamin Harrison’s grandson — who lived in the White House with him — with his pet goat. Find it by searching for Holcomb’s page, “First Lady Janet Holcomb.” Also, the founder of Imagination Library, Dolly Parton, has been reading one story at week since the stay-at-home orders began. On April 2, she began with Watty Piper’s “The Little Engine That Could,” and most recently read “Max and the Tag-Along Moon” by Floyd Cooper. You can find the readings at imaginationlibrary.com, which also features downloadable activity sheets and a contest for a book giveaway.
Coloring 4 Caregivers
EHOB (Elevate Head of Bed), a medical supply company, has initiated a Coloring 4 Caregivers activity for children (or adults) at home. Visit its website at ehob.com/coloring4caregivers/ to download up to five coloring pages featuring medical equipment, medical staff as superheroes and a thank-you. Parents are encouraged to post photos of the artwork on their social media pages with the hashtag #coloring4caregivers.
Million Mask Challenge
This next idea starts out with a screen and progresses to the craft room to take part in the Million Mask Challenge. Sewitonline.com, a northeast Ohio sewing and craft store, initiated the project after a Cleveland-area hospital reached out to local businesses for help in making masks for its staff. The site includes an instructional video and a downloadable pattern that asks you to sign up for the mailing list first — you can skip that step right here: media.rainpos.com/4868/easy_face_mask_with_darts.pdf. The site asks you to post a photo of you and your creations on social media with the hashtag #millionmaskchallenge. Make some for you and your family first, and then make some to donate locally. (383)
