Technology has overwhelmed us with entertainment, and while it has its positive side, we have become way too reliant on it. So the next time you’re under quarantine or stuck at home with the kids, why not try activities that require no or minimal use of technology? The following is a list of great ways to have fun with the kids without resorting to gadgets.
Do a crossword puzzle.
You don’t need to be 60 to try your hand at a crossword puzzle. These brain-churning puzzles are great if you want the kids to use their brains and exercise their competitive nature.You can try crossword puzzles and can find crossword 911 tips online. In addition, you can set a reward for the kid who guesses the most, so everyone will want to get in on the fun.
Bake together
There’s nothing innovative about getting the kids to join you while you bake, but that’s no reason not to give it a go. If you want to take the activity in another direction, ditch the cookies and cupcakes and make fresh pasta. The kids will love helping with the long stretchy dough and making shapes. Moreover, they will appreciate every morsel of the pasta when they realize the work that goes into making it.
Plant flowers
You don’t need to have a garden the size of Versailles to pot flowers and other plants. So the next time you see your kids growing bored in front of the television, why not get some orange pits and flower seeds and get your nail beds dirty? More than any other activity, gardening teaches kids the art of patience.
Get creative with paint.
Painting and drawing are activities most kids do regularly, but you can go big by letting your kids paint on the wall. Get a long sheet of brown paper that you can safely stick to the wall without damaging it and let your kids run wild with the paint. This way, they will have a larger canvas on which to paint on, and your walls will remain clean.
Skipping rope
If you hope to get a workout during your family activity, why not invest in skipping ropes for the whole family? Skipping ropes are affordable, easy to use, and they help you burn a significant amount of calories in a short period. In addition, this is another excellent activity to get everyone’s competitive streak out and have competition while you are at it.
Make up stories
When you want to see your kids using their imagination, consider getting them to make up stories. Have everyone come up with a story, and whoever narrates the most exciting one wins an award, which can be anything from choosing the movie of the week to selecting their favorite dessert for dinner.
Host upside down dinners
Speaking of dinner, when it becomes a chore for you and a reason to yell because your kids don’t want to eat, it’s time to change it up and host an upside-down dinner. Get everyone to sit under the table and serve dinner in reverse order, from dessert to the main course and starter. You don’t have to serve a complicated three-course meal for this activity, but serving three simple courses will have everyone excited about their reverse order while eating it under the table.
Teach them meditation
Getting kids to sit still for longer than a minute is quite a feat, but it isn’t impossible. Teaching your kids meditation is one of the most important things you can teach beyond reading and writing. Meditation is a critical skill that will help your kids when they are grownups and dealing with intense life situations. For this activity, you can download an app that teaches kids meditation, and don’t forget to join in on the fun so you too can enjoy the benefits of this ancient practice.
Prep food for butterflies
There’s nothing better than having your garden populated by butterflies. Of course, having flowers is an excellent way to attract these beautiful creatures, but another way you can do so is by hanging their favorite food. Butterflies love oranges, so cut up some of them in half and hang them outside where they can easily spot them.
Learn magic tricks together
This activity requires the help of the online world unless you have a magician in your house. However, learning magic tricks together is such a fun way to spend an hour or two practicing and putting on shows for one another.
Indoor bowling
Unfortunately for our house, kids love to smash and throw things. We can’t let them break everything that comes their way, but we can organize an indoor bowling session to help them vent. So grab some large plastic bottles and a big ball and let them smash to their hearts’ content.
Final Thoughts
Finally, when all else fails, when you have no energy to make an effort, or you lack resources, there’s always music to make everyone get off the couch and sing at the top of their lungs.