That’s right…we’re publishing a big old list of quarantine resources, many of them faith-based. This is certainly a topic that I would have never, ever (EVER) thought we’d be tackling. 😉 But here we are, staying at home, praying and social distancing. {Thanks a lot, Coronavirus!}
Before we get into the big list of goodies, I’ve got to share this take on the church hymn: “There is a Habitation.” Yep, this is a very, VERY serious issue, but we’ve gotta find some humor around here somewhere. 😉
I mean, is that perfect or what??? Made me laugh so hard! (And of course, seeing it prompted me to sing all three verses out loud. Because it’s even funnier that way.) Please do not let it escape your notice that one is to sing “with fever.” 😉
So, some of you are quarantined by yourself or with just your significant other. (I am personally working from home, but my husband has to go to work – I am thankful that he has several days off scheduled soon. I’d rather him be here with me the whole time!)
Many of you have kids at home – and you’re either trying to figure out fun things to do to keep them busy during what should be Spring Break (no trip to Disney this year, kids!) or you’re actually trying out this homeschooling thing. Since this is (at least) a 15-Day situation, I’m guessing that you may be doing some of BOTH.
The thing is – and I think many of you can agree – as WEIRD and CRAZY as life seems right now, we’ve still got so many blessings, no matter our situation.
We’ve got ideas and links for you during this weird-but-still-possibly-wonderful time. And we also have quite a few faith-based items for both kids and adults. Let’s get started…
Faith-Based Quarantine Resources:
1. If you follow our Facebook page, you’ve probably already seen that our most popular 7-Day Bible Study Challenge on Beating Worry & Anxiety is FREE for the next couple of months! I’m super proud of this helpful course and it’s recently been updated with non-seasonal graphics (in addition to the options of pumpkins & fall florals it was first launched with in 2018). Just use the code: GODISBIGGER when you sign up here >> https://the-ruffled-mango-school.teachable.com/p/beating-worry-and-anxiety <<
2. Here are some coloring sheets (for kids & adults) that Alyssa recommends: https://www.marydeandraws.com/printables/coloring-pages
and http://ourhandcraftedlife.com/free-printable-adult-coloring-pages-hymns-scripture/
3. Love this idea! Nightly gospel meetings on Digital Bible Study.
4. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile! Here’s a Crash Course in Bible Marking from Come Fill Your Cup.
5. There’s just something uplifting about praise music and I can’t wait to listen to this more…God is Good – a Spotify playlist from our friend Jared Gott.
6. Thought this was a great idea! Free lessons on the Polishing the Pulpit website: https://free365.polishingthepulpit.com
7. Ashley and her husband Jason really like to use one of these videos from Bible Project for their 4 littles’ “Bible class” (leaving time for discussion, songs, & prayer) before live-streaming our congregation’s worship service.
8. I’m loving how several teachers are creating online Bible stories/classes for their students and sharing them with the rest of us! This is from a preschool at a congregation about an hour away; I know & love many people there. Great group of the Lord’s people! https://www.facebook.com/groups/SavannahSprouts/
9. This is a great article about how to talk to your kids about the Coronavirus pandemic.
10. From Ashley: “The break and not having any rush to leave in the mornings has given us time to make a habit of reading a chapter of Proverbs every morning together. (I want to continue this when the world starts spinning again!)”
Art & Activity Quarantine Resources for Kids:
1. Our resident mom-of-5 Christy suggests checking out Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems.
2. And also Draw Every Day with JJK.
3. Christy also recommends Art for Kids Hub.
4. I’ve recently discovered Tricia Robinson Art – she has been posting sweet, scripture-filled drawing/painting tutorials on her Facebook page. Great for moms & daughters to do together!
5. Alyssa passes along this festive idea for Easy Salt Dough Easter Eggs.
6. And to get some movement into your kids’ daily routine – Alyssa recommends Cosmic Kids Yoga.
7. Fun idea from Christy for your little Lego lovers – 31 Days of Lego Play Calendar.
Quarantine Resources for Families:
1. Love this sweet idea from Alyssa: put on a Wave Parade. Can be done with just a single family or several (life group opportunity!) Call family, friends, shut ins, ultra-quarantined neighbors, and let them know you’ll be driving by their house and waving! Decorate your car and make encouraging signs and drive by slowly and just wave.
2. The neighborhood that Ashley and I live in just did a Chalk Walk. =) All of the young families got out our sidewalk chalk and decorated our own driveways with encouraging quotes, Bible verses, drawings, game outlines, etc. Several families who had extra chalk went around and wrote messages on the driveways of the rest of our neighbors. Then we all walked around and visited with the other families at a distance. It was so much fun! We all loved it!
3. Big list of favorite home activity ideas from Christy: write cards to shut-ins/family, play doh, artwork, story time, play in puddles, puzzles, board games (chess, Battle Ship, Clue, etc.), make homemade cookies or cake, yarn necklace with Cheerios, make flash cards, Disney Dance, bubble bath, finger paint in bathtub, play with measuring cups in the bath tub, make houses/castles/walls with shoe boxes, make dollhouses out of shoe boxes, build a fort/tent, have a tea party, sidewalk chalk, roller skate, bike, walk, mother-may-I, dodge ball
Miscellaneous Quarantine Resources:
*Alyssa recommends the Calm app. Can’t wait to try this!
If you think this is a helpful post, please pin it. =)
Do you have any other helpful quarantine resources you’d like to add to this list?? We’d love to read more ideas! =) Stay healthy, friends! ~Kristen
