Sometimes, it feels like we are bombarded by electronics. Do you ever wonder if there is anything else to do with your kids for fun other than electronics? Between our tablets, TVs, phones, and video games, it can seem like there isn’t anything left to do for entertainment.
Lately, I’ve been focusing on electronic free entertainment for our family. The more we do without electronics, the more ideas seem to come to mind!
It’s a great way to break free from technology and bond with one another!
Here are 17 great screen-free activities that you can do for fun without electronics with your kids!
This is an update for the current pandemic period… from 3/25/20 – 4/10/20 Bluprint is offering FREE access to all their online classes. They have classes from drawing, sewing, knitting, decorating cookies, and baking. I highly suggest that you and your family take advantage of this at this time when we are all quarantined!!!
1.) Play board games
Have a family game night and battle it out!
We love board games in this family! You can find out our favorite board games here!
2.) Play cards
Sometimes, rather than drag out the board games, we just opt for a game of cards.
We love Uno, Phase 10, and Skip-Bo. We also love Exploding Kittens!
3.) Imaginative play!
Use your imaginations – maybe you are Jedi knights or pirates looking for treasure!
Play to your heart’s content. No need for any technology other than your mind!
4.) Read a book together.
Reading doesn’t have to be a solo act. Grab a book and read together. It’s a great way to raise a child who loves to read.
We love to take turns with the character voices! When we read our character’s lines, we change our voices and really get into it!
5.) Color.
Coloring together is a fun idea.
Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. With adult coloring books everywhere, it can be a family affair.
6.) Draw or paint
Want to be even more creative than coloring?
Go ahead and draw or paint your own original creations. You can even buy some small canvases from your local craft store and feel like a real artist!
7.) Act out a scene from your favorite story.
Become actors.
Act out your favorite scene from one of your favorite stories! My husband and son love to act out different Star Wars clips and they never get bored of doing that!
8.) Have a dance party.
Just dance!
This is a perfect time to introduce your child to some of your favorite music! (My child has a deep appreciation for good 80s music! haha!)
9.) Take a walk.
Take a long walk. You can make it a short walk, a long hike, or anything in between.
Pick up objects from nature along the way or look for different wildlife. If you are in a city, look for interesting or unique things on your walk.
10.) Bike.
Take a bike ride together! This is another great way to get exercise in.
11.) Cook together.
Cooking together can be very fun and it also can help introduce your child to new flavors.
Pick an easy recipe and let your child be your assistant! You can teach them to measure ingredients, use the mixer, and let them taste test!
12.) Declutter or clean together.
While cleaning and decluttering may not sound fun to you, it definitely can be.
Declutter and clean with your child involved and you might be surprised at how enjoyable this can be if you put a fun spin on it.
13.) Travel to a nearby destination for a day trip!
Have a day trip!
Pick a local destination, whether it’s a favorite place or a place you have never been before, and go for a day trip! It doesn’t even have to be far, it can be just a short drive away. Maybe it’s a local waterpark or maybe it’s a museum you haven’t been to in a while…
You can read about our trip to a local historic Shaker Village for inspiration!
14.) Craft together!
Whatever craft you want to do – go for it!
From Christmas ornaments to homemade Valentines, there are plenty of crafts out there.
Going back to acting out your favorite scenes – you can even make some of your props or costumes! Pretending to be pirates? Make your very own swords from cardboard!
You are only limited by your imagination!
15.) Write a story.
Write a story together. Maybe your child can dictate the story while you write, or maybe they can do the illustrations. Crafting a story together will let you see inside the mind of your child.
16.) Look at old photo albums.
Look at old photo albums together. My son loves to revisit our past vacations by looking at our pictures.
Sit side by side and talk about your favorite things that you did on that vacation and talk about what future trips you want to take together!
17.) Just talk.
When all else fails, just talk to your child. Think about all the different things you may want to ask or know. Interview each other.
It’s always nice to just talk – face to face – make eye contact – and reconnect.
I hope these ideas of things to do for fun without electronics will only be the beginning of all your great ideas to reconnect with your kids and unplug yourself from the tech!
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