We are only a few weeks into summer vacation and my daughter has already asked for screen time more than I care to admit. She normally loves playing outside but this summer it is all about technology. She has a beautiful imagination so I have decided screen time is out and creativity is in. It hasn’t been completely taken away but it is on lockdown and must be earned!
Image courtesy of Chuck Allen at flickr.com (scaled, blur effect and text added)
Since boo-hoo and wah-wah is what is often heard these days I challenged her to create five outdoor activities and I would do the same. I tried telling her technology is a privilege that I didn’t have when I was a kid. That just made her think I lived with dinosaurs or in “western days.” Kids are rotten! …and adorable!
Here is what we came up with and I am pretty excited about it. We have had so much fun and my muscles are even a little sore from the activities we have done so far! Bonus!
The first five are from my daughter. I love that they are simple. It shows that kids don’t need bells and whistles. They just want you to play with them. So sweet!
1. Play a game of hopscotch.
2. Have a contest to see who can swing the highest.
3. Play catch with my new red ball.
4. Play a fun game of tag and ask the neighbors to join in.
5. Have a diving for treasure contest at the pool. Whoever can collect the most items in 30 seconds wins.
Here are my activities.
1. Make stilts out of large cans and see who can go the farthest.
2. Roller skate around the block until your legs can’t go anymore. I suspect my legs will give out before hers!
3. Create an outdoor obstacle course. Complete with tightropes, tunnels and more.
4. Do some outdoor bowling. Here is a fun link so you can make your own set. http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/kids/fun-and-games/monthly-recycling-activites/make-your-own-lawn-bowling-set
5. Gather up the neighborhood kids and have a mini field day. The possibilities are endless with this one. You could even ask each child to come up with and lead an activity. Here are a few that we may try, water balloon toss, pillowcase race, egg toss, goal kick, tug-a-war, bean bag toss, limbo and hula hoop contest. I think we will end with a picnic.
What fun ideas do you have to help keep kids off of technology and get them outside enjoying life?
Image courtesy of Chuck Allen at flickr.com (scaled, cropped, blur effect, and text added)
We are always looking for new and fun things to do with the kids. great lise
I love that you came up with such fun, creative activities! My kids are cutting back on screen time too. Thanks for the ideas!
I forgot all about the fun of stilts. Even making can stilts is fun!
Oh, so nice ideas. My son doesn’t show interest in outdoor activities. I will try if he will like it.
OOhhhh, my boys would love the outdoor bowling! I have one who would like the stilts and another who would freak out about them, the bowling is something that they could both agree on.We’re working on reducing our screen time and having a social media detox this summer. It has been so good for our family!