MCC Lists Activities to Keep Kids Busy & Engaged

Middlesex Community College wants to help keep students engaged and on-track with their education during these difficult times. The college’s Education and College for Kids departments have collected a number of activities for families to do together in order to keep learning and having fun during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Michelle Dobrin, MCC’s Chair of Education, recommends establishing routines and activities to provide a sense of normalcy – even when in this “new normal”– as best as possible. Activities include walks outside, family meals, homework time and bedtime stories.

“A sense of routine and predictability help children feel safe,” she said. “In these times of uncertainty, this becomes especially challenging and even more important. It’s important to maintain routines as they’re a key way of helping children mark time. This may even be an opportunity to start some new routines – involving kids in the process makes them more meaningful.”

MCC’s College for Kids helps maintain a sense of normalcy for kids throughout the summer. Students who attend are not just kept busy, but are constantly engaged and learning in a hands-on environment that is stimulating and interactive.

“College for Kids is a room full of open doors for a diverse group of youth to learn about themselves, a few different careers paths and gain access to college,” said Lauren Ellis, MCC’s Program Manager of Community Education & Training. “The youth that attend College for Kids learn that attending college will give you many options and Middlesex Community College is one of them. Summers are about making memories, friendships and discovering your path.”

Ellis shared a few photography and science lessons – inspired by College for Kids – for families during this time to get everyone outside or moving around the house.

For kids learning colors and ABCs, Ellis suggests assigning a new letter or color each time the activity is completed and taking pictures of objects that match the color or letter. Families can also go on a ‘Word Hunt’ by taking typical flashcards outside and having children find the word that matches the card and snapping a picture of the item to start a collection.

Adding photography to a game of BINGO is also a great way to spark kids’ imagination. Have them try out cooking or a new hobby, snap a picture of their pet, or go out for a walk and see what interesting photographs they can capture. Then share what they find on social media and tag MCC’s accounts.

To work on writing and storytelling skills, Ellis recommends having a child take a picture of a scene in or outside of the home and then writing or telling a story based on the photograph.

For space and science fanatics, Ellis suggests a DIY moon sand project using flour and oil for kids to make and then play with. Kids can also craft mini constellations using just a few supplies, like paper and toilet paper rolls. These science projects are easy to put together, but spark kids’ creativity and imagination.

For more art project ideas, Bethany Peck (MCC College for Kids teacher and Corporate & Community Education instructor, Chelmsford resident and artist, and preschool teacher for Chelmsford Community Education) suggests simple and fun projects using materials most people have on-hand.

Kids can dip leftover tubes from paper towels or toilet paper into paint to transform a blank surface into a layered, colorful masterpiece. She also offers tips on how to take sidewalk art to the next level by using masking tape to create different shapes and patterns, and then coloring it in with chalk. Kids can also transform their front door by making stained glass using the same tape technique with paper mache or washable markers.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/activities to find out more about these activities.

Go to www.middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/ or call 781-280-3663 to register for MCC’s College for Kids this summer.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!