Screen-Free Ideas for Families

Quarantined. No toilet paper. COVID-19. School closures. No Vacation.

It’s hard to slow down and take a breath to realize our new situation. Most of us remember our childhood without electronics, and we survived many days home with nothing to entertain us except for our imaginations. We had more family time to play board games, watch movies and TV together, talk with each other, and laugh; I mean laugh until tears came out of your eyes to the point you were on the verge of peeing your pants laughing. We can look back and recollect those memories that today’s kids are missing out on those experiences. Think about it. They will not say, “I remember the days I played my (fill in the blank) all day while my parents were on their phone, tablet, etc.” When was the last time you just hung out with your child, played what they wanted, read with them, laughed together nonstop, or let your guard down and were silly and playful?

So while our world is slowing down and, in some parts closing its doors, we should look at our blessings. Time. Time with our loved ones. Time to slow down and relax. Time to have fun. Time to be a kid again. Worrying about things that are in our control will produce nothing but fear. Our children look at us and see we handle this situation and our time.

Instead of focusing on the negative and what is out of our control, let’s take this opportunity to embrace the positives and what we can control.

If you want screen-free ideas you can do with your kids, check out the list below.

Life Skills

• Baking and cooking as a family. Here they will see why their math and reading skills are so critical, not to mention why you need to follow directions.

• Organizing. Spring Cleaning with helpers. Have your kids help go through their cl