5 Boredom-Busting Activity Kits To Entertain & Educate The Kids This Stay-Home Season

If not being able to go out thanks to the Covid-19 outbreak is driving you and the kids up the wall, and if, as a #WFH parent, you just don’t have the bandwidth to come up with ways of entertaining the mini-mes that don’t involve a screen, here’s help. In fact, here’s help x 5. These activity kits are so fun, engaging and educational, they'll hopefully keep the kiddos out of your hair for hours. Have fun!

Award-winning local dessert wunderkind Janice Wong just launched a new subscription box for $35 a month (minimum six months). For that rather reasonable price (we think), you get a surprise box filled with her signature imaginative sweet treats delivered to your doorstep, as well as new and exclusive items not yet available in stores. Also included is Janice Wong’s latest initiative, “Bake at Home with Janice Wong”, where you get to replicate treats such as chocolate nut spreads and cakes at home. Each box includes a recipe card and everything you need to put together your creation. To top it all off, each subscription includes a set of five Janice Wong chocolate paint jars (in top main pic), two brushes and edible paper and a set of edible chocolate crayons (above pic). The delicious paint and crayons will keep the kiddos busy and squealing with delight for at least an afternoon each. Mummy and daddy will be tempted to join in. Such a fun way to enjoy a little bit of luxe sweetness in the safety and comfort of home.

Order online at https://www.janicewong.online.

All hail activity boxes filled with hands-on and play-based ways to learn and have fun. The activities are developed in consultation with teachers and feature different themes every month, from dinosaurs to space, from the weather to fairy tales. The boxes come with quality materials for several activities that allow kids to explore the month's theme — for example, the Dinosaur Land box has an activity for kids to create a volcanic eruption with vinegar and baking soda. You can choose single boxes from $39.90 (like this Little Doctors box), or sign up for monthly subscription of three, six or 12 months, where you get a new themed box every month.

Sign up at https://www.squizzelbox.com.

For the younger ones, themed boxes that revolve around using non-toxic, chemical-free and taste-safe dough (you know, in case Junior feels like a little lick) are fantastic options, 'cos shaping dough and pressing them into moulds can keep little hands busy for hours. Accessories include cutters, stampers, rollers and books that correspond to the box's theme, like animals or the ABCs. A fun way to learn and indulge in some sensory play. The 'Search, Find and Create’ Animal Starter Sensory Book Kit is $45.70. Prices vary.

Get from https://doughnme.sg.

Fun themed boxes which include myriad activities that encourage hands-on discovery and creativity, with games, a bit of art, a splodge of Math and a bent on helping kids learn Chinese words in a cool way. The latest box is a pirate-themed smorgasbord, which includes a treasure map game, Chinese sensory flash cards, a gold coin Math mat and a dice game that teaches directions in Mandarin.

Quantities are limited. The Pirate Plunderland box is $55 inclusive of courier. Order from https://www.facebook.com/LeBoxSingapore.

Silicone colouring mats have been gaining in popularity among the pre-schooler set, and these ones from a local biz started by two mums are meant not just for colouring, but for telling a story with each scene. The mats are easily erasable, BPA-free and made of premium food grade silicone, and are great for keeping the kiddos busy during meal times. They're designed with a raised edge around the border to guide young children to colour within the mats and to contain food mess. Brilliant. The mats, which have themes such as Deep Blue Sea, Safari Adventure and Noah's Ark, ignite imaginations with cute characters, and are $16.80 each. Pens in sets of 12 are sold separately at $7.80. There are also Colour Me Puzzle Mats which come in a set of four with smaller, more portable mats ($19.80) with themes such as dinosaurs, space and mermaids.

Get from https://colourmemats.com.sg.