In today’s world, kids can spend too much time in front of screens. Outside of limiting the use of technology (setting designated amounts of time), try these 12 tips to help your child enjoy life in a tech-free way:
Screen-Free Alternatives
1. Play Dates
Encourage real-life interactions and relationships with other children.
2. Build Something
How about helping your child build a tree house, a go-kart, a car made of legos, or even a lemonade stand? Encouraging your child to create things instead of always consuming is a great way to not only get them away from the screen but it also helps prepare them to be contributing citizens.
3. Hobbies
Foster interests that don’t involve technology. Your children might enjoy crafts, reading, baking, exploring, photography, acting and more.
4. Substitutes
Show your children non-electronic versions of activities. Introduce them to tech-free versions of games, books, research, and communication.
5. Family Time
Create bonding experiences as a family through game nights, hanging out together and family dinners.
6. Events
Take your kids to real-life events where people gather and have a good time. Try fairs, plays, concerts and similar activities.
7. Sports
Encourage membership in sports teams or other types of physical activity, such as martial arts, gym or dance. Also, as a family, you can attend live sporting events in your area!
8. Nature
Send your kids outside, whether they’re searching for bugs in the backyard, heading to the beach or hiking in the mountains.
9. Trips
Take your children to new places so they can explore and learn about the world around them. Take day trips to nearby areas and trips around the world, helping them discover new cultures, sights, flora, and fauna.
10. Art and Culture
Expose your kids to art and culture in museums, books, and classes. This is an ideal way to show them the beauty, creativity, and possibility in the world and foster it in them.
11. Senses
Show your children that there is more to life than a world on a screen. Teach them to pay attention to the sights, sounds, tastes, scents and physical sensations they experience, as well as their thoughts and emotional feelings.
12. Summer Camp
Enroll your kids in summer camp where they can spend time free from technology with nature, friends, and activities. Sign them up at Camp Sonshine, where we expose kids to the outdoors in a safe and fun way.