Collaborative post
We are living in an age of screens and Wi-Fi, which means that it’s very easy to forget there is a whole world of fun that doesn’t require a charger or a password. From rainy days to a weekend tech break, there are lots of reasons to go ahead and keep the kids off the Internet for a couple of hours or a couple of days. But a lot of parents then become stumped as to what to do instead.
There are plenty of engaging and creative ways to have fun and keep the kids entertained without a screen, but when we’re pushed to use the Internet for absolutely everything, including just watching simple TV, it makes it very difficult. No judgment here though, with everything evolving in technology the way that it is, screens are very attractive and they are lucrative too, depending on what model of screen you are using. What’s important is making sure that there are opportunities to be online as well as be offline, and that means scrounging up some ideas to keep the kids busy without the Internet.
They may love going online to play puzzles or Sudoku, but that doesn’t mean it can’t translate to paper, which is where Sudoku started out. So let’s take a look at 12 things to do to keep the kids busy without the Internet to lean on.
1. We’ll start with puzzles.
Seeing as we just mentioned the great Sudoku, let’s start with puzzles. From jigsaw puzzles to word searches in books, puzzles are not just for adults. There are kid friendly versions of Sudoku with much smaller grids and there are fun themed opportunities for word searches with animals, colours and shapes. Not only are puzzles a great way to help to build your child’s cognitive thinking, but they’re excellent for problem solving and for spelling.
2. A backyard treasure hunt.
You do not need the Internet, GPS, or a fancy app to go on an adventure in your own backyard. You can create a simple treasure map or a list of clues leading to a hidden prize in your backyard or living room. You could use riddles, rhymes, or silly tasks to add to the fun. And it’s even better if your kids create their own hunt for you or their siblings. A backyard treasure hunt can be suitable for any age. The best thing about them is that backyard treasure hunts can happen at any time of the day, the evening, no matter the weather, which means that you don’t have an excuse to say no to it.
3. Raid the linen closet.
When was the last time your kids built a blanket fort? It’s old school and it’s absolutely awesome. You can drape as many blankets or towels or bedsheets over chairs, sofas or tables and then you’ve got yourself a secret hideaway. You could add battery powered fairy lights, pillows and some storybooks for a cosy hideout. It’s a timeless in law adventure that doubles as a reading nook or a nap spot. The best thing about a Blanket Fort is that it’s a good way to get the kids engaging with each other, creating a thought that is anchored and works well and makes them feel like they’re having a great time.
4. Bust out the board games.
Flip the table and let the kids make a board game instead of just playing one. All you need is cardboard, markers or dice.The best part is that you also just need to tap into their imaginations for an amazing amount of fun. If you don’t want them to make their own board games, you could always raid the closet and bring out all the board games that you’ve got. Most families have several family style board games like Frustration and Monopoly. The best part is that they’re learning storytelling, design and problem solving when they’re making their own board games, but when they’re playing them, they’re also learning to work together as a team.
5. Make some nature art.
If you have a backyard or even a front yard, get the kids outside to collect some leaves. They could bring in twigs, stones, flowers and leaves to make nature inspired art. You could create leaf rubbings with crayons, glue sticks to paper, form animal shapes, or paint rocks with bright patterns.It’s a gentle, calming activity, and it’s a great way for the rainy day to be less boring. Even on a summer day, you could theme the artwork that they make with their nature to the season or to a specific area of their lives.
6. Crack an egg or two.
The best part about baking with kids is that there’s always an end result. Whether it’s biscuits or cake, getting the kids together to crack an egg or two and bake something is wonderfully messy and a memorable way to spend the day together. There are plenty of simple recipes out there on the Internet, from cookies and muffins to banana bread. You can allow them to measure, mix and decorate, and don’t stress too much about.The mess because it can always be wiped away. The real treat is in the shared experience that you get, and the best part is that you can all sit around to enjoy what they’ve cooked at the end. It’s an activity that teaches them a lot about science and maths, and it also gives you a chance to get them to bring out their creative side with the artwork that they do on the cakes.
7. Raid the recycling bin.
Don’t toss away your Amazon boxes when they come. Keep them in the recycling bin and then you have an automatic treat to play with on rainy days. With boxes, scissors, tape, paint and glue, your kids can construct an entire cardboard metropolis if they want to. They can make tunnels, skyscrapers, houses and parking garages for toy cars.It’s surprisingly satisfying, and it can turn hours of imaginative play into days. Kids love a good cardboard box, so use the recycling that you’ve already got waiting.
8. Get them to write stories.
If you want to keep the kids busy and away from the Internet, get their minds off the laptops and onto their imaginations. Writing stories is exciting. It allows them to set the scenes and create an adventure that’s all theirs. It doesn’t have to be a long story. You could ask them to write short stories with an introduction, a beginning, a middle and an end. When they do this, they can learn how to put their witty ways together and either come up with a story together or do individual writing. It’s a good way to practice their handwriting and bring out their imaginations. And you could even have prizes for the best told story with the wackiest characters.
9. Write and perform a play.
While we’re on the topic of writing stories, let your kids write a mini script, assign roles, create costumes, and be movie directors. If you have a handheld camcorder that you can trust one of them with, get them to film it too. It’s great for collaboration, creativity, and building confidence. And if you film it, you get a giggle in the future when you’re showing it to your grandkids.
10. Teach them how to make paper aeroplanes.
Grab some paper and see who can create the most aerodynamic, stylish, or bizarre paper airplane. You can then hold competitions for distance, flight time and accuracy. Can they land it in the laundry basket? Can they land it on the table? A school board, some prizes and a bit of friendly rivalry never hurt.
11. Have a movie day.
If you’ve got a stack of DVDs and you’re looking to keep the Wi-Fi turned off, then have a movie day. Snuggling up on the sofa with some snacks to watch everybody’s favorite movie is great, but make sure everybody chooses one DVD each and then flip a coin or pull names out of a hat to decide which one goes first.
12. Do some fun science experiments.
Do you remember when you were a kid and you used to mix up lots of things in the bathroom and the kitchen to create potions? George’s Marvellous Medicine has a lot to answer for, but kitchen science can be fun and educational. Think baking soda volcanoes and homemade slime or growing crystals from salt water. Have a mop and bucket ready, but it’s exciting to get mucky and messy with the kids.
You don’t need Wi-Fi to connect with your children. When you remove the Internet, you open up opportunities for deeper connection, conversation, and fun. Whether your kids are diving into the early Sudoku puzzles or building a cardboard tower, there are so many things that you can do to have fun that a screen just cannot replicate. You can go outside and splash in the puddles and you can go to the park, but if you’re looking for indoor activities, you now have plenty to do to keep the kids busy even when the Internet isn’t happening.