19 Activities to Keep Your Kids Off Their Screens
An excessive amount of digital use is not healthy for children. So, what is the best method to keep your kids off their screens? Below, 19 engaging and fulfilling activities are listed for your children that are better alternatives to screen time. Suggested activities include outdoor sports, arts and crafts, visiting local parks, and participating in community events to keep children active and socially engaged. By promoting hands-on experiences, parents will have the toolset to help their kids develop hobbies and skills that foster physical, mental, and social well-being.
1. Attend a Summer Camp
Summer camps immerse kids in many engaging activities, such as sports, arts, and outdoor adventures! These activities naturally draw their attention away from screens. The structured environment and group-oriented tasks foster social skills development. Summer camps ultimately encourage children to explore their surroundings and form meaningful, real-world connections.
2. Go Hiking
Hiking is the perfect activity for kids – the physical activity and sense of adventure fosters a deep connection with the environment, helping them to focus on the present moment rather than their screens. Additionally, navigating trails and discovering new landscapes fosters curiosity and teamwork!
3. Visit a Local Park
Visiting a local park engages kids with a variety of outdoor activities, such as playing on playgrounds, sports, and exploring nature. The open space and fresh air provide a stimulating environment that promotes physical activity and interaction with other children. Parks therefore foster a sense of curiosity and exploration – this is where children realize that the real world offers limitless opportunity for growth!
4. Have a Pool Day
A pool day offers kids the excitement of swimming, playing water games, and socializing with friends. The physical activity and fun challenges in the water make screen time much less enticing. Pool days are also great because they provide a wonderful opportunity to bond with family and friends.
5. Visit a Waterpark
A waterpark captivates kids with thrilling rides, slides, and wave pools. The variety of attractions and activities require their full attention and participation. The environment of a waterpark encourages kids to interact and share experiences with friends and family, creating real-world connections and fun!
6. Read Books
Reading books gives kids space to let their imaginations run wild. The immersive experience of getting lost in a good book stimulates their minds and improves concentration. Reading also enhances creativity, providing enriching entertainment that screens just cannot replicate!
7. Play Mini Golf
Mini golf captivates kids with interactive challenges, keeping their focus on the game rather than their screens. The physical activity and friendly competition help them to tune in with their surroundings and socialize with friends and family. Who doesn’t love a bit of competition?
8. Visit an Arcade
An arcade offers interactive games and activities that kids dream about- this is the ultimate way for your kid to get off their screens. The dynamic and immersive environment encourages kids to play with friends and compete for high scores!
9. Go Bowling
The physical activity involved in bowling, including aiming, rolling the ball, and keeping score, keeps kids actively involved and entertained. Bowling is fun for kids – it can be played with friends and family, supplemented with plenty of snacks! Additionally, the camaraderie in bowling fosters real-world connections with peers, making it a fulfilling alternative to screen time.
10. Play Family Card Games
Family card games allow kids to focus on strategic thinking and social interaction. These types of games are often competitive and collaborative in nature, which creates an atmosphere of excitement and fun for all players. The variety of game options and challenges stimulate kids’ minds and creativity, offering enriching entertainment in person.
11. Act of Gratitude
An act of gratitude gives kids the opportunity to focus on meaningful interactions and the positive impact they can have on others. Taking part in activities like writing thank-you notes or helping someone in need creates real-world connections and emotional fulfillment. Acts of gratitude can help your kid practice thankfulness and to show respect to others!
12. Visit a Local Event
Visiting local events can be an exciting way to keep your kid off their screen. Austin’s events calendar is called “Visit Austin,” and most cities have a calendar that is similar. This is a very useful tool in finding local events! One fun local event idea is to visit a local farmers market on Sunday! Farmers markets offer fresh produce, homemade goods, and local crafts. The interactive experience of picking out products and meeting vendors allows kids to expand their knowledge about different foods and communities.
13. Set the Table
Setting the table is a hands-on task that requires kids to focus on arranging utensils, plates, and napkins. This activity also allows for participation in family routines, which creates a sense of responsibility and lets kids be present in the real world.
14. Clean Up the Dishes
Cleaning the dishes involves physical activity and attention to detail, which is a great way to make sure your kid is productive. This task also instills a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, and ultimately gives kids an opportunity to contribute to family life.
15. Help With Yard Work
Helping with yard work allows kids to be active through mowing, raking, and planting. This task creates a connection with nature and instills a sense of responsibility as they contribute to maintaining their outdoor environment.
16. Help Clean the Pool
Helping clean the pool involves skimming leaves and scrubbing surfaces, which gives kids the perfect opportunity to have a break from screen time. This activity fosters a sense of teamwork in kids, as they can contribute to creating a fun and clean swimming environment for their entire family.
17. Make the Bed
Making the bed requires focus and attention from children. Kids are encouraged to start their day off in a clean and organized manner, which sets the tone for the rest of the day to be positive and productive!
18. Organize the House
Organizing an area of the house, such as a desk or bookshelf, improves focus and problem-solving skills. This activity gives kids a feeling of satisfaction as they create a clean space in their home.
19. Be Creative
Creative activities such as drawing, painting, or crafting gives kids a fulfilling outlet for their imagination. Exploring creativity allows children to express themselves and enjoy the process of making something unique, and this creates a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction offline.
