During lockdowns at home, kids missed being at school, spending time with friends, enjoying hobbies and after school activities, and celebrating important milestones, like birthdays parties. Many playgrounds were closed, blocked off with yellow caution tape. Kids recall feeling many emotions during the pandemic.
An increase in screen time, especially for learning, was one of the biggest changes for kids during the pandemic. In 2020, nine out of 10 people said their kids were engaged in daily screen time, however, two-thirds reported their kids were reading books every day, and six in 10 reported their kids were doing daily physical activity.
Canada brought in more than $570 million worth of hand sanitizer from other countries between March and December 2020. And kids ages five to 11 first received vaccines in November 2021. They wrote of their experiences with hand sanitizer, masks, and vaccinations. Getting their needle was a memorable experience.
When winter let up, children enjoyed nature and recalled swimming, playing in the rain and going for walks. They told stories of seeing animals, stars and planets.
Kids remembered their time indoors, recalling special moments with family members, some of whom had moved in during the pandemic.