As the weather gets cold and families are searching for inside activities to keep busy, TV and smart devices offer an easy and hassle-free source of entertainment. Understandably, many harried parents use tablet, phone, and TV screens to keep children occupied. However, researchers have found that excessive screen media use may have a "wide range of cognitive consequences", including detrimental effects on academic performance, executive functioning, language development, and social and emotional growth.* Unfortunately, even though screen time is popular and easy is a popular and easy option, it not what is best for our children.
Our first suggestion is, of course, reading. But when kids get tired of that, then what? These activities are tried-and-true time wasters that are developmentally appropriate, while also being low-cost and simple to put together. And best of all, they are engaging in activities that parents and children can do together.
Thank you to Erica at What Do We Do All Day for inspiring this post!
*According to researchers, "ideal discretionary screen time limits are 0.5-1 hour/day for three to seven-year-olds, one hour for 7-12-year-olds, 1.5 hours for 12-15-year-olds, and two hours for 16+-year-olds."
Play Marbles
The game of Marbles has been entertaining adults and children around the world for almost 500 years, according to TIME magazine. This game will be fun for the whole family to play together! Here's a video explaining the rules. All you need is some marbles and a string.
Build a Fort
Use a combination of lightweight blankets and sheets, in addition to pillows, cushions, and furniture to construct a fort in your home. One of the best ways to read a book is in your fort with a flashlight to light your page! This experience will truly become a core memory for children. The most common ways to make a fort are either to hang a sheet in the middle of a rope strung across the room, or to drape a blanket or sheet across furniture. Linked are videos for you to get a visual idea.
Play Jacks
Jacks is another game of antiquity, played since prehistoric times. And, it can be played with either one or two players! In ancient times, the game was played with and without a ball, and with seeds or stones instead of jacks. Now, you can still use your own found objects or buy a bouncy ball and a bag of jacks. Here's a video on how to play.
Try Finger-Knitting
Finger-knitting will be your children's introduction to the world of fiber crafts. This is a basic form of knitting that only requires fingers and yarn. After learn the simple steps, your children will be able to make rope-like things such as bracelets, scarves, belts, or we think that even a knitted bookmark would be cute! I know that many children would even be willing to try more complex projects such as this once they get bored making long ropes.
Learn to Yo-Yo
The yo-yo is one of the oldest toys. References to the yo-yo have been found from 440 BCE Greece, but historians believe it was invented even earlier than that, by the Chinese. The simplicity of this toy made of simple wood and plastic, plus some string, has since inspired people to master its intricacies. Inspire your kids to learn some tricks that will impress friends and family. But first, here's a video on the basics.
Make Papier-Mâché
If you're an artistic family and don't mind getting a little messy, this craft is definitely for you. Make a paper-mache bowl out of paper and paint it however you wish! Watch this video for instructions on that. And, lots of other things can be made out of paper-mache- how about faux taxidermy, for instance?
Weave Friendship Bracelets
Ahh, this brings me back to summer camp days. All you need is string and you can make beloved wearable gifts for all your wonderful friends! Start out with the two string bracelet, spiral staircase bracelet, or the candy stripe bracelet, and you'll be weaving like a master in no time.