10 Engaging Activities to Reduce Screen Time for children

Are you tired of watching your children choose screens with every bit of free time that they have? These days children are on their phones, playing video games, watching YouTube, playing on their Ipad, watching movies, even completing schoolwork and homework on their computer. Sometimes, fed up with the screens you hear yourself say “No more screen time!” only to be met with “What do you want me to do?” or “I’m bored.”

As homeschool teachers you know that we are responsible for teaching our children most things. So naturally, if you want your children to lay off the screens, you will need to teach them how to do that.

Below are 10 activities that children love or can learn to love that do not involve screens. I believe all activities are learning activities. So interrupt the academics and help your homeschooler learn a new way of being that does not involve screens. I’ve listed five activities for your older homeschooler and five for your younger. Let me know in the comments, which activities you will try and how it goes.

Older Children

1. Board games and Card games.
2. Kitchen science. (have your children make home made lotions, candles, as well as cookies and cakes. Don’t forget to decorate and they can even design packaging.)
3. Write and original poem or song and perform it for the family, and, or record it.
4. Learn a life hobby such as to knit, crochet, create origami, to paint, draw, sculpt with clay, embroidery, or and learn an instrument,
5. Work on puzzles. You can find many different sizes and shapes.

Younger Children

1. Hide items around your home and create a map or provide clues on how to find the items. You can also have them do the same for you.
2. Hang large sheets of craft paper on the wall, use paper plates as a paint pallet, and have your young children paint shapes and creative designs. If you have very small children have them finger paint.
3. Bake or make fun snacks with your little ones.
4. Create a reading nook with pillows and blankets and read to them. If they are able to read, pick a book that you can read together.
5. Expend some energy by playing freeze dance or musical chairs. The sillier the better. (Laughter in a homeschool is a beautiful sound.)

Remember, If you want your children to thrive without screens you have to teach, show and make time for activities that will allow them to do just that. If resources are an issue, don’t forget your local library can help with instructional books, engaging literature, puzzles, and some libraries might also have instruments that you can check out.

Have fun and Happy Homeschooling.