9 SELF-ISOLATION ACTIVITIES FOR BABIES AND TOTS

There are a multitude of resources out there and we are so lucky to live in this digital age with so much available to us. But sometimes the choice can be overwhelming and I know how hard it can be to follow up on the links and check out what’s right for you; especially when you’ve got a baby to care for or a toddler to entertain at the same time too.

So, I’ve tried to make life a little easier by pulling together free and paid for resources, specifically for babies and tots, in to one list so you can just pick and choose the activities that appeal. For the most part, I’ve also tried to list businesses local to East London. The reasons for this are: a) it may help you connect with other local parents, even despite the social distancing we are going through just now, and b) I’d like to try and support other local London baby-related businesses as much as possible.

As ever, if you’ve found anything you’d recommend too, please share in the comments.

Sara x

1. Sing and Sign baby signing @ Home (paid for)

Join Sukie our local Sing and Sign leader for 10 weeks as she & the team bring you their age-appropriate themed sing and sign classes to your home via streamed videos and Zoom support, plus private Facebook and Whatsapp support groups. You can view the content as many times as you like each week. You can view some examples of the classes here, here (with Jessie Cat) and here.

You can also find daily youtube videos (live at 10.30 am each day, free) for signing with your baby with Ettie Betty.

2. Baby Sensory @ Home (paid for)

You can now get Baby' Sensory’s exclusive, fun and engaging developmental programme at home via Zoom. If you already attend their award-winning classes then you should have heard from your class leader on how to join. The fabulous news for everyone else is that if you’re local to Sam’s classes in Ilford, Stratford & Forest Gate you no longer have to worry about joining their waiting list for classes, as the online classes are open to all and you can join as a drop in guest. As these classes happen on Zoom it means that you can also “virtually” meet other parents in your local area and make new friends online. Be sure to join your local sessions so once things go back to normal you can join your local class and meet your new friends in person too. Tailored content for classes from birth up to 13 months.

For Tower Hamlets residents, get in touch with Anna who runs weekly classes in Bow, Canary Wharf and Wapping.

3. Hartbeeps Radio (free)
Live disco in your home every Sunday at 10am to get everyone moving.

4. Hartbeeps Online (paid-for)
Bringing their usual magical madness to your home with a paid-for online service that includes access to daily sessions and things for the kids and adults to play and do. The course is 4 weeks long, but you can join at any time for 5 days of content a week. You need a Facebook account to join.


5. Fine Motor Skill Printables for pre-schoolers (free)

Worksheets to print at home for your tots to practice tracing over - making shapes and letters - developing their fine motor skills.

6. Parent and Baby Yoga / Massage classes with Hande Lulu Yoga (paid-for)

Usually held in Greenwich, now available online via Zoom on Tuesdays at 10am. Postnatal yoga classes to help new mums firm and strengthen. The class includes baby massage techniques that have magical effects on the physiological and mental development of your baby. More info on her Instagram page too.

7. Bromley-by-Bow Centre (Digital) Family Playroom (free)

The Bromley-by-Bow centre is opening up Family Playrooms, an online activity group for families with children aged 0 - 11 years old. There are 9 rooms to explore, each filled with fun things to do, tips and resources to keep your children healthy and entertained. Each day they will be posting three things for you and your family to enjoy.

• A challenge at 9am - this will relate to one of the different playrooms

• Lunchtime chat on a topic for all to talk about

• Evening check-out at 5pm to reflect on the day and share

It sounds like there will be some good opportunities to meet other local families, virtually, though this group as well as around 100 different activities that they have planned for the playrooms.

8. Chisenhale Dance Space, Bow goes online (free or donation bases)

Chisenhale instructors Robyn and Olly will each be running weekly classes filled with dynamic moves, creativity and family fun; online for tots and young children.

Robyn's class, 'Creative Movement for the Family' starts Saturday 4th April for children aged 3+,  with the aim of getting parents and kids to dance together. They will explore creative ideas, expressive tasks and new ways to move in your home with the emphasis on fun and discovery.

Olly will lead 'Mini Movers at Home’, which starts on Wednesday 8th April, aimed at children 18 months +. This class is a chance for grown-ups and their little ones to discover movement together and connect with other families online, through creative movement, play, and storytelling.
 
Chisenhale will trial-run the sessions for the next four weeks, with a view to extending if they prove popular. Classes will be conducted through Zoom, please email Jessica Richards at manager@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk before 9:30am on the day of your class to receive the link.

9.a Wrap-A-Hug Sling East London Library - Online (free) and 9.b Tower Hamlets Online Family Meet Up (free)

Finally, not quite an activity for baby, but certainly something to offer help if you’re baby / toddler carrying and need a little help with using wraps / slings / carriers. Live for guidance and Q&A on Facebook every Monday morning at 10 am on Instagram on Thursdays at 12pm.

You can also join Mel, live at the first ever ONLINE version of the monthly Tower Hamlets Family Meet Up on Thursday 2nd April, alongside their other usual perinatal and early years experts on hand to help answer your questions. To join the meet up, join their private Tower Hamlets Family Meet-up Facebook group and follow the instructions in there. The physical meet ups currently happen on the first Thursday of the month at Polar Union; the online meet ups will happen every 2 weeks at 10.30 on Thursday mornings via zoom.