How to keep sane during isolation with babies and toddlers

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I'm a primary school teacher so highly likely to catch CV at some point. Looks likely DH may be working from home soon. We have baby under 1 and a toddler who are currently in childcare most of the week and with DGParents part of the week. We will likely stop the contact with GP for a while as they have health conditions. D toddler is the active type and has to be out everyday. We do have a garden but it only occupies us for so long.

If you have very young children how are you planning to stay sane (and keep them entertained) for a week or more?!

Lucky enough to live v near the countryside, just going to drive out into the hills and go for walks

Do you mean quarantine or just nursery closures? For toddler (with baby joining in most of these)....

If we are stuck indoors indefinitely then obviously it's important they exercise enough. So things like jogging on the spot, some toddler friendly yoga, some dancing, lots of action songs. Sleeping lions.
Lots of baths. Baths seem to tire then out. We've got bath paint, bubbles, bath crayons, loads of different bath toys, light up bath toys (for bath discos) so lots of bathroom options.
Play dough. Maybe some baking if I'm feeling brave. Finger painting. Glitter. Other simple crafts. Colouring. Other messy play (I'm sure there's a magic sand which uses flour baby oil food colouring and glitter or something). Stickers.
The "help mum tidy up game". Toys in the box. Books on the shelf. Washing in the basket. Sorting socks into pairs. A bit of ineffective dusting.
Lots of stories. Books, but I will also make the most of audible, YouTube, etc.
Creating different environments in the house and having little "events." A super hero disco. S'mores in our "tent" made from sheets. Teddy bears picnic dressed in pyjamas. Princess pampering dressed in princess costumes (nail painting, face packs, etc).
The tickle monster, throwing them in the air, peekaboo, hide and seek.

And lots of TV

Hi im in ireland so currently home with 2yr old. He is a v active social boy and we are normally at a group or he is at creche few mornings a week. So its day 2 and alreasy tough. He been running the hall screaming and jumping on me all day plus he refused to napz!!
But been messaging mum friends alot to keep sane. Going for walk once a day luckily have a big coastline so finding places where no one else is. Ordering some garden toys as dont have any incase go on complete shut down
But its going to be hard. Too young to.do crafts and activites for long or even chill out.
Its for the best I hope and we get through it all

Wow great ideas @AnotherMurkyDay. Thank you!

In answer to your question about staying sane, though, being really strict on bedtimes and sticking to a routine. Because at least you know at x o'clock you'll get some headspace, Even just an hour to watch something on Netflix, have a bath, decimate a big bar of chocolate or chug back a large glass of wine (or all four at once if you prefer to multitask) knowing you will get a bit of headspace can make the day easier to get through.

I find giving them a variety of finger foods, then putting my headphones in, listening to some music and escaping the noise of whinging while they slurp it all down keeps me sane on days we are stuck in. If I get time I'll do some yoga or meditation. I find 10 minutes of either is enough to make me feel a lot more relaxed, although regular practice is good. I do home exercise DVDs and toddler loves joining in with them, so could try that too.

Creating different environments in the house and having little "events." A super hero disco. S'mores in our "tent" made from sheets. Teddy bears picnic dressed in pyjamas. Princess pampering dressed in princess costumes (nail painting, face packs, etc). @AnotherMurkyDay these are great ideas thank you. I agree re keeping routine, my toddler definitely needs it.

I think I'm dreading it because I'm coming to the end of second mat leave and was looking forward to getting out into the world a bit more (without little ones in tow). Baby has just had chicken pox too and we got pretty tired of being at home all the time!

I predict CBeebies will have high viewing figures for a couple of months!

I will order outdoor toys now - was saving it for both DC birthday which are later in spring. Was thinking of getting DC involved in planting/looking after veg too. That will take up some time outdoors.

You can also do simple things in the garden like a mini beast hunt, digging for worms, star gazing at night, torches, bubbles, water play with empty plastic bottles/containers, watching the clouds, making mud pies etc.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

I'm in a country where everything has just closed down, so I'm not isolating with a baby (yet) but am stuck at home with one. I'm supposed to be working from home as of tomorrow and have a 16 mo. She can go to her father's a couple of days thankfully, but it's slowly dawning on me that I'm out of the habit of looking after her on my own for days on end (usually goes to nursery) and I can't go out for a coffee because all the cafes are shut! I have some finger paints somewhere for moments of desperation but it's going to be tough. Thinking of organising a toy swap with one of my neighbours who has a child of a similar age.

Lots of good ideas here

fiveminutemum.com/2020/03/13/all-day-at-home-with-kids-how-do-i-structure-the-day/

I was just going to recommend the 5 minute mum too. Her new book is brilliant

There's a Facebook group that's been set up for just this - search for 'family lockdown tips and ideas'. It's a bit full on, but some great stuff on there.

Some nice ideas on here.

My 20 month old little girl has a slight cough and did have a temp (about 38 and went down easily with calpol). So we’re not sure whether we need to keep her home for a week.

Honestly, if we do I’m quite looking forward to it. I’ve got Disney life so we’ll do loads of Disney movies, playing in the garden in her play house. Lots of gardening with her ‘helping’. Drawing, painting, baking, dolls house, building blocks, pom poms, indoor football, playing with the pets, organising the cupboards.

She used to get very cabin fevery but recently she prefers to be at home anyway, and the weather is still pretty bad.

Great ideas thank you. Will check out the fb groups. I think I would normally look forward to a lovely week with the kids but it's on the back of winter and end of maternity leave so bad timing for us!