“Mom, I’m bored, can I play on the iPad?”
“Mom, I have nothing to do, can I watch TV?”
As parents, we frequently hear such requests from our children, especially when we’re engrossed in something else. Our response usually oscillates between a reluctant YES or a frustrated NO. In either case, it feels like a loss.
Children often resort to gadgets because they find themselves with little to do at home. To win the battle against screens, parents need to engage their kids in various activities that capture their interest.
Here’s a compilation of seven activities that can keep your children occupied and away from screens
1. Art and Crafts
Provide your child with age-appropriate art supplies and encourage them to participate in related activities. Applaud their efforts and motivate them to enhance their skills without expecting perfection. Activities like drawing, painting, clay modeling, papercraft, origami, beadwork, basket weaving, sewing, knitting, and carpentry foster creativity, focus, hand-eye coordination, color sense, and fine motor skills.
2. Books
Introduce your kids to the enchanting world of books. From adventures to fantasies, biographies to thrillers, expose them to a variety of genres. Make regular visits to bookstores and let them choose books that pique their interest. Cultivate a reading habit, perhaps as part of their bedtime routine. For younger children, read aloud to them. Encourage them to write their own stories or maintain journals. Reading enhances imagination, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.
3. Cooking and Chores
Involve your child in cooking and household chores. They can assist in tasks like washing vegetables or planning the menu. Appreciate their efforts and don’t insist on perfection. Involvement in chores instills self-help skills, making them more independent and confident. Additionally, when kids participate in cooking, they tend to be less finicky about food.
4. Puzzle-solving
Engage their brains with puzzles and games suited to their level. Activities like jigsaw puzzles, Rubik’s cubes, word games, crossword puzzles, sudoku, and math puzzles enhance critical thinking, reasoning, and logical skills.
5. Free Play
Unstructured playtime allows children to explore their creativity. Boredom, occasionally, can be beneficial for the brain, providing it with the space to relax and generate new ideas. Kids might count coins, paint their nails, or daydream, fostering creativity and innovative thinking.
6. Music and Dance
Music can be both energizing and calming. Encourage them to dance to their favorite tunes or learn to play a musical instrument. Listening to music and dancing serve as excellent stress-busters and promote brain development.
7. Explore and Experiment
Provide opportunities for exploration and experimentation. Encourage them to try new recipes or create inventions from recyclable materials. These activities nurture the inventor and scientist within, teaching them that it’s okay to make mistakes and fostering a spirit of curiosity and discovery.
By engaging children in these activities, parents can ensure their kids remain occupied and creatively stimulated, reducing their reliance on electronic gadgets.
