50 things to do with your kids that aren't mindless during the COVID-19 pandemic

WASHINGTON (ABC7/ WJLA) – 10-year old Grace and 7-year old Theo have been anything but bored since school closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

They toured a Florida marine sanctuary, organized a family litter patrol, planted an indoor garden and made some really cool and useful stuff, like turning old t-shirts into shopping bags.

"If you make your own reusable bag, then you don't have to use as much of the plastics," Grace told me as I video-chatted with her and her brother, Theo, who were snipping away at old t-shirts and turning them into bags that I'd be proud to tote into my grocery store. Theo tells me his preferred use is for carrying toys.

The kids' stepmom is Megan Severson, State Director for Wisconsin Environment- so naturally, when she came up with this Nifty Fifty Activities List it would have 'good for the earth' components.

I was looking for ways that I could help my family connect more with nature and think about positive things right now, said Severson.

Whether it's family challenges to reduce waste, creating a nature self-portrait, or learning how to get lawmakers to listen, some big ideas are turned into bite-sized projects with a sense of accomplishment.

Grace drew a picture of her favorite animal, a sea turtle, and its destination is far more impressive than the fridge.

I'm going to send it to Senator Baldwin because there's a lot of trash that we're producing that goes into the oceans and kills turtles and other fish, said Grace.

Theo and his dad got a local secondhand shop to donate some old bikes to them.

We're fixing up bikes for the kids who don't have bikes, said Theo.

He told me repairing bikes with his dad makes him happier than riding his own bike because other kids can have fun.

Both kids say they're sharing their projects with friends.

Megan says that's the idea, for parents too.

Colleagues in 29 states helped her create this list. "My colleague, Jenna, at Environment Florida, suggested we include a virtual tour of the Florida Keys so the kids can learn about marine life. That's something I didn't think about being in Wisconsin and it was a great addition to the list," said Severson.

She says even though most people are home, there's a lot right in front of all of us we can look to, to be inspired, connected and creative.

"It's certainly not comprehensive," said Severson. "We're really encouraging people to add their own ideas, to share pictures and their own experiences."

Most of the projects she came up with require no store-bought supplies.

"Whether you live in an urban, suburban or rural area, these are activities that your kids, or you and your kids, can do with things lying around your home." said Severson. "They're activities that you can do indoors that are still thinking about nature and the environment and the world around us."

Nature can really nurture us, and I think we can all use a little nurturing right now, said Severson.