In today’s over-connected world, it can be hard to find a single moment away from the dinging and buzzing of electronics. More and more parents are realizing the importance of time away from screens, but have a hard time implementing it consistently. Here are a few fun off-screen activities for your child to help them get off of screens and into the real world!
Read a physical book
While ebooks are very useful and have their place, it’s important to enjoy physical books too! Reading physical books can give eyes a break from the bright light of screens. Reading also develops many valuable skills, like language skills, social skills, and hand-eye coordination. In addition, taking a trip to the library to pick out a physical book can be a fun family activity. Whether your child still needs to read with you, or they can happily take a small book to read on their own, reading is a great activity that children of all ages can enjoy and benefit from.
Go outside
With warmer weather on its way, now is a great time to start getting outside and participating in outdoor activities! If your child is interested in a sport, consider picking up some equipment so they can practice in your yard. If your child is less active, try going for walks together or making a little garden to tend together. There are so many ways to have fun outside, your child may forget they wanted to be on screens at all! Even if it’s still chilly where you live, a quick walk outside can be helpful for getting off of screens and resetting your child’s attitude.
Play a card or board game
How long has it been since you pulled out a card or board game? If you’re trying to get everyone off of screens, a card or board game can be a great way to do it while bonding as a family or playing with friends. If you don’t have a lot of children’s games available at home, consider visiting your local library to see what they have or picking a couple up from your nearest thrift store! These games last a long time, and there’s no need to break the bank getting some. If you can, let your child pick out their favorite game or suggest one new game to try.
Now, pick one of these off-screen activities to try with your child this week and enjoy the break from electronics!
