5 Electronic-free Games and Activities to Keep Children Busy
It can be challenging to juggle working from home and taking care of the children. Modern technology has been the go-to method recently to keep the children busy as the parents work. However, once a child is hooked to the device, it can be difficult to step away from the screen. In today’s fast-paced world, it is important to unplug from mobile devices and the Internet for a few hours each day.
One of the benefits of unplugging from technology is it will improve your and your children’s quality of life. No doubt you can connect with your family, friends and loved ones through technology and social media every day. However, it does not really replace face-to-face interactions. Spending time with your child helps him to build and develop social skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills with others. Moreover, it will make you or your children feel much happier and healthier.
Here are five electronic-free games and activities to keep your child entertained!
1. Play Jenga
It is no secret that many of us have played this classic game before! Slowly pulling and stacking Jenga blocks is an intense and entertaining activity. It is a great family activity to see who can build the highest stack. This game takes time, control and most importantly, patience. It is guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush when the blocks inevitably crash down. This game not only teaches your children to be patient, it also great at building competitive spirit and fine motor skills.
2. Draw cartoons
Instead of handing your child your digital devices to watch cartoons, why not give them the ability to create their own? Give them a piece of paper and some colour pencils, and let their imagination run wild as they create their own story and characters. When they use their imagination, they form their own scenarios and play pretend. This activity not only helps your children to develop fine motor skills, but also encourages them to express themselves and their emotions. Therefore, the colours they use and the things they draw are great ways to show how they feel. It also increases their imagination and this is such an important part of a child’s growth. Let your children explain their works of art after they have completed them.
3. Design a treasure hunt
Physical play time is not just a means of entertainment but also a critical part of a child’s development. Sometimes it is hard to keep the more “active” children occupied with only small tasks. As they have lots of energy, why not host a treasure hunt for them? Hide something small but visible, like a ball or a coin in the house. Then, give your children clues such as simple riddles or stickers to guide them to the treasure. If you want to help your children to build their resilience, make the treasure hunt a little trickier. This game will teach them to learn how to be patient as clues take time to solve. It will also teach them to pay attention to small details, which also allows them to build their concentration and listening skills.
4. Listen to an audiobook
Reading is an essential skill for your child to develop. However, there are some children who are not keen on reading. Hence, listening to an audiobook may be a good alternative. This is also helpful for younger children who are unable to read independently. Choose an audio version of their favourite book, let them sit down comfortably and turn the pages while listening to a friendly voice reading the book to them. You can also be creative by making your own audiobook if you are unable to find a recording of your favourite book. This activity helps children develop their imagination as they must picture scenes and characters as the audiobook plays. In addition, listening skills will also be developed as they require quiet concentration. This will also help expand their vocabulary and understand the meaning of new words.
5. Let them help you
Keeping your young ones occupied can be a tough job. Thus, giving them some chores or simple tasks around the house is a great idea. This is not a popular option among children, but this can be good for them as it helps them to be more independent and responsible. Not only will you get time off to do some work, your children will learn that they all have a part to play in keeping the house clean, neat and tidy. This will help them get used to having responsibilities and be independent in the future. For instance, if you are cooking or washing the dishes, let them assist you and give them a task that they can handle.
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