LIVING THE LOCKDOWN THE FRENCH WAY

The lockdown is affecting families all over the world yet each and every country has its own way of reacting and innovative ideas on how to keep children happy and busy. In spite of social distancing rules, the quarantine has given rise to a surge of mutual support and kind initiatives especially towards mothers now in charge of taking care of their little ones all day.

With a slight touch of humour, in the hope of bringing a smile to your day, here are our French tips on how to best live the confinement “à la française”! Ideas to apply worldwide!

Charlotte sy Dimby blog post - French style children

photo by @lafrancaise.paris

Culture first, culture first my dear child!

Unable to last very long without our fancy outings at the beloved Opéra Garnier of Paris, the institution is kindly offering online replays of its best ballets : Gisèle and most all Swan Lake!

Turn off the lights, set up your best armchairs in front of the TV, dress up smart with your very best dress to recreate the ambiance of the precious 19th century decor opera and enjoy a wonderful moment with your little ballerina!

View an online ballet from the Opéra Garnier

As a way of pursue the magic of Swan Lake why not encourage your child to make her own performance inspired by the online ballet? A great way to stimulate corporal expression and imagination. A long corridor or living room will make a perfect stage and a twirling smocked dress the ideal costume! Let the show begin!

Netti smocked dress twirl Charlotte sy Dimby children blog article

photo by @lafrancaise.paris

 Become the next Monet!

No longer able to spend afternoons at the museum admiring the masterpieces of the Louvre, we are left with no other option than to become the artist ourself! Time to dig out our paint brushes, best coloring pencils and to express our creativity!

charlotte sy dimby blog post children coloring ideas

Photo by @fleurdejuan

One of the sweetest suggestions we came upon is from My Little Kids. The French website offers free colorings to download. They are named “my superheros” and depict nurses, doctors but also postmen, bakers… All those who keep the country running as well as children writing letters to their grandmothers, those cooking…. A sweet way to explain the current situation to our children and engage dialogue on the subject of the virus and of the "stay at home" rules!

The best and most colorful illustrations will then be shared on My Little Kids’ Facebook page to support all these heroes! No need to speak French, just grab your best coloring pens!

Download the colorings:

My Heroes

My Daily Heroes

Most of the French museums also offer virtual visits. If you are planning a trip to France once all this is over, it could be a way to create enthusiasm and start setting up your journey!

The best one according to our opinion is the Musée d’Orsay which has set up a very kidfriendly website called Petit Mo.

Paris my love!

Fond of our capital and unable to wander around exploring its hidden secrets, the French children’s brand Jacadi offers a map corresponding to a specific part of Paris to color each week! 

A bit like a treasure map, children then stick the parts of the map to one another to recreate the French capital!

Download the map

Jacadi Paris map to color for kids

Map by Jacadi

Gourmet at heart!

Famous for our star chefs, fine gastronomy and restaurants, we are making the most of staying indoor by baking. Little French children’s favorite meal is of course “Le goûter”, tea time taken around 4 o’clock.

Among our favorite French recipes are the timeless classic madeleines and of course les crêpes bretonnes!

Learn how to make French Madeleine cooking recipes with children

Picture by Marilyn Poilâne @hugoetgaspard

French crêpes bretonnes cooking recipe with kids

         Picture by Marilyn Poilâne @hugoetgaspard

Learn how to make French crêpes, easy recipe which will delight your little ones!

Learn how to bake delicious French Madeleines with chocolates chips!

 

charlotte sy dimby Frenchs style children 

photo by @lafrancaise.paris

Hoping this light hearted article has made you smile, we send you strength and courage from France.

May we have the joy of welcoming you to Paris as soon as possible! Please take care!

Do not hesitate to reach out and share your ideas by email at info@charlottesydimby.com or by DM on Instagram!

If ever we can support, help or merely bring a smile to your day we would be more than happy to do so!





 


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