In the modern age, it seems like everywhere you turn there’s another screen. From smartphones to tablets, laptops to TVs, our kids are constantly bombarded with digital distractions. How do you find activities to help your kids to unplug?
Let’s look at a few healthy and engaging activities that will help pry the devices from their hands. And hopefully, keep them interested and engaged for hours.
Choosing an Activity
An activity that meets most or all of the following criteria will work:
1) It is self-paced, and not driven by a strong social pressure to achieve.
2) It is goal-oriented and has many opportunities to see progress.
3) It has a social component.
4) It’s fun.
Activities That Work
Since every child is different, we are unlikely to find an option that suits everyone, every time.
Don’t be afraid to experiment.
And of course, involve your child in the decision. This process will go a lot smoother, and work more reliably if you have their buy-in.
A few activities to consider:
1) Rock Climbing
We can’t say enough about how incredible this activity is. It builds strength, confidence, balance, and responsibility. What’s more, it ticks all the boxes for an activity to draw kids away from their screens. It’s an activity that will challenge both mind and body.
And, of course, it’s really fun!
Climbing uniquely blends mental and physical puzzles. It combines them with a natural social environment, to create one of the most engaging activities you could ask for.
Climbing also allows kids to solve problems in their own way and on their own time. It also provides a motivational boost and builds self-confidence.
As a result, I have found that I can get kids to put down their phones, and forget they are there, for hours or longer just by pointing them at a climb and saying, have at it!
However, that doesn’t mean climbing is your only option (though, in my opinion, it is one of the best!)
Here are a few more activities to help kids that I have found work well for getting your kids to disconnect.
2) Outdoor Games
Certainly, going out and playing a game of one-on-one basketball or two-on-two soccer is a great option for many kids. But games of Tag or Assassin, Capture the Flag, or Kick the Can tick all the boxes on our list, as well.
You can organized such games that last for hours without one kid picking up their phone.
3) Indoor Games
Good games involve problem-solving, achieving goals, strategy, and rewards. And they are social.
Card games work too. We find kids love playing anything from Go Fish to Apples to Apples to pass the time.
4) Artistic Projects
Music can give the very same intrinsic satisfaction as gaming by learning new patterns and playing along to songs. Additionally, playing with others offers social value through teamwork, similar to the cooperative experience in gaming.
And, of course, music isn’t the only artistic activity that has these traits.
Painting, photography, drawing, writing, and even modern art forms like 3-D modeling or programming all have tremendous benefits for young people. These activities help to keep kids engaged while providing meaningful satisfaction. And they also develop extremely useful skills. And, of course, creating is fun!
5) Build Something
6) A Walk in the Woods
Try to get your kid outside nearly every day, even if it is just to walk by the stream and look at rocks.
The added benefit to this pattern is that, when your kid tries to throw a tantrum, if you take away their tablet (depriving them of Peppa Pig or Elmo), all you need to do is let them outside. Kick around their favorite ball or play in their favorite muddy puddle, and…tantrum over.
Of course, not every kid will react so dramatically to this change of scenery. However, most kids of all ages will find outdoor activities and the mysteries of exploring the forest far from boring.
