This is a collaborative post
Screens are an inevitable part of life nowadays, and the chances are your child will use technology from an early age. Of course it can be a force for good, connecting people around the world and providing learning opportunities; but sometimes it’s nice to switch off for a while and connect with people in real life, and check back in with ourselves away from noise and distractions. If you’re keen to get your child involved in screen-free activities, read on for some tips from an independent school in London.
Arts & crafts
If your child is the creative type, they’ll probably love the chance to create something from scratch using their imagination. Whether it’s painting a picture, making a collage, designing a model or doing pottery, artistic activities give children the chance to express themselves, solve problems and develop valuable skills away from technology.
Exploring nature
Getting outside in the fresh air and exploring is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern life, often dictated by technology use. Building a den in the woods, playing in a park or hunting for fossils on the beach are great ways for children to switch off and reconnect with themselves, as well as friends and family. If they get some endorphin-boosting exercise at the same time, even better!
Playing board games
Board games might seem a little old-fashioned nowadays when most children have computers, phones and tablets, but having a game night with family or friends can be great fun. Dig out some old favourites and spend a few hours chatting and laughing away from the screens. Board games can also help children develop valuable skills, such as the ability to solve problems and work as a team, while also enhancing reading and maths skills.
Cooking
Cooking or baking something with your child can be a great bonding activity, and of course you get something yummy to eat at the end! Explore new recipes together and get your child involved in helping you measure, weigh and prepare ingredients, and deciding how to present the food at the end. They’ll learn some useful skills for the future, and it will take their mind off other things that might be going on in their life. We love the bake along yoto cards on our Yoto Player which provide screen free step by step instructions.
Gardening
Ask your child to help you in the garden, doing activities like planting seeds, watering flowers and trimming hedges. This will teach them to take pride in their surroundings, give you a chance to chat and give them some fresh air – all of which benefits children’s mental health and gives them a break from staring at a screen.
Playing in your garden or back yard is also a great way to get some much needed vitamin D and fresh air. Bring out the slides, the swing, a picnic or the moon shoes and they’re sure to be begging to get outside!
