If you live in the Northern part of the Northern hemisphere, chances are February isn’t one of the mildest months. In the places I’ve lived, this month is typified by either dark rain cloud or grey melted snow. Though I do believe there is no weather, just bad clothing, February is a month where we spend more time indoors than say, April.
The problem with more indoors time is that my kids get cabin fever. And, they get it fast. When this happens, it becomes all too easy to grab an iPad or throw on a children’s show to distract them. As it is, children are exposed to screens way too much. While the American Pediatric Association suggests children under the age of six should have no more than one hour worth of screen time, the BBC reports the average child spend six hours in front of electronics. The consequences of this are staggering. Over exposure to TV, tablets, and computers stunt a child’s self-regulation, attention, and vocabulary.
In my own home, I’ve seen its effects too and limit their exposure. For instance, I try and always indicate how many shows or how long they can have an iPad for. Then, I warn them just before it’s time to shut it off. When my kids become defiant, I become concerned. On a select few occasions, I have noticed that when screen time is taken away, my kids get ornery. These are my main tell-tale signs that we need a screen time diet. And, fast.
On those rainy, slushy, snowy, or grey days, how can we successfully get around defaulting to screen time, but keep our children entertained? Here are several tried and true screen-free boredom busters for kids. They’re fun, budget-friendly, and simple to set up.
Screen-Free Boredom Busters for Kids
- Open up the pantry and bake a healthy, tasty snack. There are some awesome kid-friendly recipes here.
- Make a play dough play scene.
- Use this recipe to make gorgeous play-dough.
- Roll out the dough and use it in combination with toys. Or, use rubber stamps to make impressions in the dough. Knead and re-start as many times as desired!
- Make bubble foam.
- all you need is about 1/8 cup of liquid dish soap (we prefer stuff for sensitive skin), 1 cup water and then use your standmixer on full blast until it looks like this.
- Make a ramp for Hotwheels cars and then prop it up on the stairs to let them race.
- Create a coloured rice solar system sensory bin.
- Try any one of these 25+ play-based learning activities for your backyard.
- Use your kiddie pool for sensory play.
- Set up three simple science activities.
- Make DIY bouncy balls – using chemistry.
- Use any of these ideas to play outside in the rain.
- Check out these screen-free boredom busters.
- Try any one of these 15+ calming activities for young kids.
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