Have you heard of Screen Free Week? Screen Free Week is an annual event where parents are encouraged to turn off all screens including televisions, computers, tablets and video games in order to improve children's well-being and connect with their families. This year, Screen Free Week will be observed during the week of April 29th.
Believe it or not, there are many alternatives you can use to get your kids away from the screen and interested in other activities. Here's a list of ideas to get you started:
Start a Book Club
Of course, many parents will encourage their children to read during this time. However, you may have an easier time encouraging your kids to read if there are other kids involved. Find a book the children will enjoy and set a time to hold discussions to keep them engaged in the book.
Get Back to Nature
In most parts of the country, the weather starts to warm up quite a bit in late April, so you can make plans to take advantage of the weather. Many outdoor areas including beaches and water parks may wait until Memorial Day weekend for grand openings, but there are still plenty of things to do outside. You can take your children on a walking trail, or to a local park.
Organize Play Dates
Having an old-fashioned play date may be a great way to get your children away from the screens. Offer to get with other parents and take the kids to the park or another recreational spot such as a museum. You can also organize a gathering such as a pizza party so that the children can play board games or even learn some of the old-fashioned games you used to play outside such as freeze tag or hide and seek if you decide to take the action outside.
Get Kids Interested in New Hobbies
You can also look into providing your children with other interests that will take them away from the screen. For instance, some children still strive to learn music instruments, so you can find out if they can take lessons. Comic books have also resurged as a hobby with many people of all ages, so you may even look into finding a series or two your children may like. Even old hobbies like model plane or train building may spark your children's interest.
Plan Family Game Nights
Electronic games may be prevalent, but there is still some charm in playing old-fashioned board games. Getting the family together after dinner to play a classic board game can be just as fun as a video game. I still remember games such as Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Trouble, Clue and, of course, Monopoly. Now, there are even games based on popular films and television series' that your children may enjoy.
Here's a list of even more ideas:
- visit a library
- take a walk
- explore your city
- go for a bicycle ride
- go fishing
- have a dance party
- plant a garden
- bake something
- clean up and declutter
- go to the zoo
- visit a museum
- go ice skating or roller skating
- paint a picture, a mural or a room
- play cards
- build a fort
- volunteer
- meditate
- have a picnic or barbecue
- go see a live game
- do a jigsaw puzzle
Because my main source of income comes from me being online, I won’t be able to disconnect completely, but I will be making an effort to get the family outside to have some good old-fashioned family fun!
What other screen free activities can you think of?