Top 10 Screen-free activities

Teenage life must be grim when your daughter claims that she wishes that she was brought up in the ‘olden days’. That is, the almost screen-free 1970’s and 80’s. Her conclusion was based on watching Stranger Things and Wandavision. According to these sources, teenagers had more freedom and less pressure than they do now. She has even noticed that teenagers of yesteryear spent a lot of time out of their bedrooms and outside.

Lockdown has lead to social media saturation with all three of my kids proactively looking for screen-free alternatives. For instance, interest in sewing, crocheting, skateboarding, and rollerblading. Not least this week’s request – a Hoola hoop. Although a hi-tech one of course!

Holiday screen-free activities

Classlist parents are discussing ways of entertaining their kids over the holidays. They're sharing ideas for screen-free activities that are engaging enough to allow parents to manage a few solid hours of  work. Here are ten ideas that'll fill the time, but more importantly, create happy memories.

1. Cook a new recipe. Invent a new recipe! Even better collate these recipes and publish them as school fundraiser.
2. Art. I always recall from Art School, that most adults still draw to the same standard they did as children aged seven. This is because prior that, they weren’t self critical.  Gillian Johnson’s book “How to draw everything” can rectify those self doubts.
3. Origami. Very satisfying to look at and plenty of levels to strive for.
4. Walk a dog. If you are one of the families still pining for a puppy like much of the nation, sign up to borrow my doggy. It’s a great way of testing out whether dogs fit into your family’s lifestyle.
5. Call a grandparent. Ask them about their childhood. Is lockdown similar to anything they’ve experienced before?
6. Volunteering. For example, Kissing it Better. This is a great charity that brings together technology and generations to address the isolation of old age with virtual care home visits.  It can even count towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award.
7. Learn to throw. For those children who don’t play cricket, this is becoming a lost skill.  A glove and ball is a cheap investment that doesn’t take a lot of space. Even a tennis ball  thrown against a wall can engage.
8. Have a Nerf gun war. This appeals to all ages, even (especially?) teenagers. Just leave them within reach and they prove to be irresistible. A great one when the weather is bad.
9. Learn to Hoola hoop. It’s not easy but great for the waistline. Especially since 48% of us have gained extra weight during lockdown!
10. And finally ... ask your offspring to create a compelling argument in writing about why they should get to use technology. And ask them to present it two days time, fully rehearsed. You could even record their presentation to share with them at some inappropriate time such as their 18th or 21st birthday!
    
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