3 Engaging Activities to Get Your Kids Off the iPad

If you’re currently parenting young kids, we’re not telling you anything you don’t know when we say…

getting kids off of electronics is hard….like, really hard.

Today’s kids can’t remember a time without instant access to tv shows, movies, music, and electronic games. They can’t imagine the anticipation with which we parents waited as kids for Saturday morning to roll around so we could enjoy our cartoon infusion. No…kids today have entertainment readily available and easily digestible and getting them interested in other options can be challenging.

That’s why we’ve created our list of 3 activities that are big on fun and low on battery use, to show kids you really can have fun without using electronics.

Build a Fort

We all remember the fun of constructing a play fort out of old cardboard boxes or a stack of pillows and blankets. And it turns out there is a reason kids love building (and hiding in!) them. Children love having a “secret” space that is all their own, and some crave a dark and cozy den where they can escape they are overstimulated.

Fort building is currently so popular you’ll find an endless list of creative options with a quick Google search. If you need a little fort-building inspo, check out this list created by the crafty gurus over at Mom Junction. They offer both indoor and outdoor fort ideas that your child is sure to love. 

Plan a Family Movie Night

Ok…technically, movies are watched on an electronic device, but a family movie night is interactive enough that we feel it deserves a place on this list.

Make the experience into an event by gathering plenty of fluffy pillows and cozy blankets and be sure to pop plenty of popcorn. Turn the lights down and the sound up to mimic the feel of a real theater. And most importantly, insist that everyone leave their phones and other devices outside of the movie-watching area—this will ensure everyone enjoys the experience together.

Get Crafty

Crafting is a wonderful way to get kids away from electronics and engage their imaginations and creativity. And the best part is this—crafting isn’t just a fun activity…it’s actually beneficial! Craft projects encourage kids to engage in critical thinking and help to build fine motor skills.

And for all of you parents who shudder at the thought of dragging out your crafting bin and searching for the necessary accessories to make craft magic happen, we have good news. Our very own Craftikit eliminates the need to go hunting for glue sticks or searching for construction paper. Each kit comes with twenty unique and engaging craft projects…and everything you need to start crafting is included in the box! You can choose from our animal set or our new dinosaur-themed kit…both offer kids hours of creative and imaginative play!

We hope these ideas inspire you to broaden your child’s definition of entertainment. There are plenty of fun and engaging activities outside of iPad use!

###

References

Scholastic

Kids Activities