How addicted to screens are your children? Do they crave watching TV or staring at a tablet throughout the day? In today's society it seems like it is way too easy for kids to get a super high dose of screens. That’s why, especially with young children, it’s important to try to get them to use their imagination more and technology a little less.
If you are cooped up inside all day try some of these simple and engaging activities that involve ZERO technology and tons of fun. As a bonus you can probably use things you already have laying around the house and not spend a dime!
All of these activities are versatile and can be adjusted to fit different ages depending on your child’s developmental level. Hopefully you find a few of these ideas useful and engaging for your little kiddos.
Make a Lego Game
Now this is super simple to set up and my daughter absolutely loves playing it. All you need is a set of Legos or Duplo blocks, something to sort them in and some dice. I have a veggie tray that worked perfectly for this activity but you could use whatever you have including just some kitchen bowls.
Sort the Legos as best as you can by size, shape, type or you could even do it by color. Label each container with numbers 1-6 to correspond with the dice. That’s it, now you are ready to play!
Take turns rolling the dice and taking a Lego from that corresponding number. Using only the pieces you get, try building something. For kids it's a simple game but it can really get them thinking and problem solving by only using what they are given . We generally try to build a silly house.
2. Painters tape car city
For this activity you need a roll of painters tape and some cars. I did this on the kitchen floor but you could do this on carpet as well. Help your child use the tape to create roads on the floor. Use your imagination; we made parking spaces, a zoo, school and areas for houses to go. Then you can let your kiddo use whatever toys they want to make a little city.
***Baby/ Toddler Adaptation: Use the tape to make simple lines, zig-zags and paths on the floor. Let them use their finger or let them hold a safe car to trace the lines.
3. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
All you need for this one is a few pieces of paper and some tape. Write the letters of the alphabet on separate pieces of paper (or if you kiddo is able to write let them do it themselves). Next hide the letters throughout the house. Tape them on walls, doors, etc and have your child find them. Once they find all of the letters you can have them put the letters in the correct order and recite the alphabet.
4. Ball Toss Game
You will need several baskets or boxes, paper and small play balls. Any empty containers will work for this including FedEx boxes or even laundry baskets. Next draw some numbers on paper to put on the baskets representing different points. Once you’re ready to play take turns tossing the balls into the bins and have your kiddo keep track of the points on a separate sheet of paper. This takes it from just a fun throwing game to a simple math lesson that your child will love.
5. Play Restaurant & Make Menus
You will need some play-food, grocery store ads or coupons you don’t plan on using, construction paper, scissors, glue and some crayons. If your child is working on their cutting skills give them the scissors and let them pick and cut out pictures of food from the newspapers or do it for them if they can’t themselves.
Fold a piece of paper and help your child make a menu using the pictures they cut out. I like to sort the menu by item type and have Lily separate the foods into the right category (and of course we had to have a snack section per her request). Once you're done with that then you can set up a little restaurant and use your fancy new menu to order items.
***Baby/ Toddler Adaptation: Show them the different play food and say what the foods are. Try to let them pick out the different types of food and explain the various colors too.
Did you try any of these activities and if so how did it go? Leave a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe!
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Ooh I love these! We are screen free and sometimes it feels a bit like groundhog day doing the same thing over and over.
these are great ideas! my kids love to play with legos! thanks for all the ideas because we definitely need knew things to do these days! lol