Parents will do almost anything to keep their kids busy and entertained while self-isolating, even building a bowling lane in the basement.

The Nugget asked its Facebook followers to share their ideas on how to keep children entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their ideas were endless and, at times, hilarious.

One mother allowed her son to cut her hair and another is using the time to teach her children useful skills such as picking up the endless amount of dog poop in her backyard.

Another parent is embracing her child’s artistic abilities.

“An empty basement plus chalk equals hours of fun,” says Cindy Linklater Miller.

The province announced last week that students will not return to their classrooms on April 6, with some parents believing their children won’t return until September.

Robyn Johnson has replaced the early morning rush with home workouts and yoga.

“We do our regular chores, walks, crafts during the day and then in the evening we brought our own bowling lane into our basement.”

Other children are learning new skills. such as crocheting and cooking exotic dishes, or enjoying scavenger hunts, arts and crafts or hiking outdoors.

Evan Newman says there’s an overwhelming number of ideas online to keep children busy.

“I have a two-and-a-half-year-old son and a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter. I’m also off school at this time,” he says.

Newman has created a website to help parents who are looking for a quick idea or something that will last a lot longer so they can keep their sanity.

The website www.kidsunderquarantine.ca includes everything from quarantine baking, learning French, world travel, paper airplane competitions and making homemade paint and Playdough.

Although he tries to stick to a schedule, sometimes it goes out the window, Newman admits.

“We have a general routine, but today it’s raining so it’s movie day,” he ays with a laugh.

Becka Commanda sat down with her three kids before implementing a back-to-school routine.

“We’re moving away from traditional subjects like math and science, and learning about living off the land and doing things culturally which are more traditional to our community,” she says.

Commanda says these are things they normally wouldn’t do.

“I was raised religious and not into traditional culture, so a lot of these things are new to me, as well,” she admits. “I’ve been trying to perfect my bannock. But I have to admit, it hasn’t been working out too great. This is a learning curve for me, as well.”

Commanda says she’s the first in her family over the past few generations to bring back the traditional way of life.

“It’s important and this is a great opportunity to kickstart that.”

Samantha Mianskum, meanwhile, is teaching her children how to collect and make maple syrup.

As a kid, Mianskum says, she enjoyed time out in the sugar bush. But it’s been years since she’s been able to tap a maple tree.

And from all accounts, her children have picked up that passion.

“The kids are reminding me to wake them up before I head outside,” Mianskum says. “They haven’t lost interest through this whole process. They stay outside with me from morning right until it gets dark outside.”