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The summertime could present challenges when it comes to keeping your little ones busy and engaged. Sometimes TV’s, iPads, or phones provide necessary assistance; but if you’re looking for ways to minimize screen time, you’ve come to the right place.
Below are our top ten tips to help minimize screen time for your children.
Change up the scenery
Kids love a change of pace. If you can’t leave the house, even setting up a cozy fort corner can encourage creativity and imagination. This is also a great environment to have story time with parents, older siblings, or even with friends for sleepovers if they are older.
Tired of using the iPad to watch while you cook?
Consider including your little one as a “sous chef.” There are kid-friendly utensils that can be used to cut some vegetables, cheese, or other ingredients. Not only is this a good way to keep your eye on them, its new and exciting and teaches them important skills at an early age.
Figure out their passions
Activities related to these passions are sometimes the only things that can tear your little one away from screens. This can be as small as an activity book related to their favorite characters or maybe a science experiment if they’re into science.
Set up a special treasure hunt
A treasure hunt can be especially fun if they have siblings that they can work together to figure out clues and hints. This is an especially fun activity in the summertime where you can incorporate water like sprinklers, water balloons or pools.
Ready to incorporate chores?
At a certain age, kids become excited about earning cash for vacations or special toys. You can work with your kids to create an age-appropriate chore chart. If they’re ever spending too much time on their screens, you can remind them of the chores and reward at the end.
Rainy day screen time?
It’s easy to rely on screens when it’s raining (and sometimes we need it!) But there are many table activities that can replace this. Activities such as tic-tac-toe, make paper planes or origami, do a puzzle, or encourage creativity with drawing.
Spend some time in nature
Walks are an easily overlooked way to spend quality time with your kids while also getting exercise. Whether you want to stick to your neighborhood or venture into an easy hiking path, your kids are sure to like it. Make sure to bring water, snacks, and potentially activities during a break.
Organize a play date
There’s nothing that encourages creativity and play time more than being with other friends. Encourage them to spend time outside together or make-believe play.
Have a dance/singing party
If you have a kid that loves singing and dancing this is surely a way to get them moving and forgetting about their screens. This can be a great way to get exercise in as well.
Encourage creativity
Verbally or written down, your kids can get out some creative energy by thinking of make-believe scenarios. Have your kids “write an episode” of their favorite show, or assign superpowers to their family members.
Thinking of Enrolling Your Kid in Daycare?
It’s never too early to consider enrolling your children in a VPK program for the next school year. Kids R’ Kids at Avalon Park offers a nationally renowned program with a state-of-the-art, safe environment to prepare your kids for their learning adventure. Call us today to schedule a tour at 407-306-9035 or fill out our online form.