Apart (But Together!) Activities for Matches
Not being able to see your Little face-to-face will present some new challenges to your relationship, but following the tips below will help you navigate through these difficulties while continuing to help your Little reach their highest potential. However you choose to connect, your consistency is more important to your Little now more than ever. Find days, times, and methods that work best for both of you, create a plan, set a schedule, and stick to it! This will make it easier on you both, while giving you each something to look forward to and depend on.
As always, your case manager is here to help. Click here to view contact information for our staff.
Ways to Communicate
PHONE/TEXT
Try communicating with your Little via phone or text, or using one of the messenger applications below. Use this resource or this resource for great conversation starters for kids, and check out this resource or this resource to get chatting with teens!
Facebook Messenger Kids - Messenger Kids is a free video calling and messaging app for smartphones and tablets. Parents control the contact list, and kids control the fun. Keep in touch with close friends and family with fun-filled features like filters and stickers.
What’s App - With WhatsApp, you'll get fast, simple, secure messaging and calling for free, available on phones all over the world.
PEN PALS
Snail Mail - That's right, good ol' pen and paper. But there are plenty of ways to get creative with your letters! Check out this list of fun ways to enhance your pen pal communication.
Email - Checking in via email is always an easy way to stay in touch, regardless of your schedule. You can even play turn-based games without a time limit through email. Click here to learn how.
VIDEO
There's plenty of ways to meet and communicate virtually with your Little face-t0-face.
FaceTime (If you both have access to iOS devices)
Record a video message to send to your Little
Virtual Match Activities
Give each other a call or video chat while you explore the activities below. Check out Zoom for an easy way to share your screen and explore together!
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Help with homework (Click here for a list of resources.)
Go on a scavenger hunt (Education World)
Visit a museum (Click here for a list of resources.)
Visit a zoo (National Zoo, San Diego Zoo)
Learn a new language (Duolingo)
Learn coding (Code.org)
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Do a craft activity (Happiness is Homemade)
Watch a Lexington Children's Theatre play together (Lexington Children's Theatre)
Watch a concert (Click here to view a list of resources)
Learn to dance (CLI Studios)
Learn to draw (Lunch Doodles)
Explore digital photography (National 4-H)
Build a birdhouse and/or become a bird watcher (Birding Hub)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Schedule game time! Using app-based games like Words with Friends, Draw Something, Chess (click here for the web version), Checkers, or Bowling can be great ways to engage and connect with your Little, while enjoying some downtime. Check out this website (and this one too!) for great games you and your Little can play on laptops or desktops.
Do a puzzle (The Spruce Crafts)
Exercise together (We Are Teachers)
(Shoutout to Erin and Allyson for this next activity!) These physical education vocabulary words will help you learn all about exercise and healthy activity and are great for flashcards! (Physical Education Vocabulary)
Watch a movie (Kanopy)
Write a cooperative journal (Storybird)
Make a meal (America’s Test Kitchen)