Between online classes, smart phones, video games, and television we are spending the majority of our time with some kind of screen. While technology is wonderful for entertainment, it's important to turn them off and take a break every now and again.
Here are some ideas for some No-Tech Activities to practice unplugging with your family.
House Wide Scavenger Hunt:
Tired of your kids not being able to find anything in the house? Boy is this the game for you!
Come up with a list of riddles or borrow some from this list here. Give each child a list of 5-8 riddles depending on their age, and off they go. The child who finds everything first wins.
You could also make this into a team building activity; by giving one long list and have your children work together to solve the riddles.
For younger children. Keep it simple with a color or shape scavenger hunt. For example, “Find something thats Blue,” “Find something shaped like a square,” or if you want to give them a challenge: “Find somethings that blue and shaped like a square.”
Happy Hunting.
Build-You-Own Board Game:
While some board games *cough* monopoly *cough* may have a history of causing some tension on family game night.
This game can only bring your family closer together.
All you need for this activity is:
- A large sheet of paper or cardboard
- Crayons or markers
- and a lot of imagination (thats where the kids come in).
Work together as a family to design the game board, create game pieces and decide on the rules. Once you're done, enjoy the work you put in and play to your heart's content.
If you would like to embellish your game board with stickers, glitter, and construction paper, go for it!
For full instructions and some ideas to jump start your creative click here.
Science Experiments:
Turn your kitchen into a science lab! Here are some experiments you can do with the everyday items in your home.
For Younger Children: Fizzing Colors Experiments
Science and Art combined! All you need for this experiment..
- Baking sheet
- food coloring
- baking soda
- Vinegar
They suggest using eye droppers or pipettes to transfer the colored vinegar to the baking sheet, but a straw or spoon will work just as well.
Link to the full experiment here.
For Older Children: Make Your Own Lava-Lamp
Take your kid on a trip to the 70’s! All you need for this experiment is tap water, vegetable oil, food coloring, and some water bottles ready to be up-cycled!
After making ask your kids why they think the oil and water stay separated, and enjoy some friendly scientific discussion.
Link to the full experiment here.
Collages:
We all have a stack of magazines we don't remember subscribing to chilling in our house. Instead of throwing them out let you kids turn them into art!
All you'll need for this art project is old magazines, glue, paper, and scissors. It's that easy. You can let your kids' creativity run wild and free, or give them some themes! An example of some themes could be, dream vacation, dream house, or ask them to create a story with pictures.
Either way, while you and your children are making some masterpieces, you'll need a great soundtrack. Make sure to turn on your favorite station on the iheart radio app on your phone, tablet or computer.
Go for a Walk:
The original way to social distance going into nature! Take some time to go outside and run around in your backyard and get some fresh air.
If you want to try out some kid friendly trails in your area if you're tired of the usual walk around the neighborhood. Each is linked to their page on the All Trails hiking app.
Western Mass:
- Waterfall Trail, Noble View Outdoor Center, Russell
- Walking Trails, Stanley Park, Westfield
- Fern Trail, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Easthampton
Connecticut:
- Peak Mountain via Metacomet Trail, East Granby
- Stony Brook South End Trail, Suffield
- Powder Hollow Loop, Scantic Rapids Park, Somersville
Now go out and enjoy the outdoors!
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