As a parent, I am always looking for ways to get my kids off their devices and doing things that get them using their creativity and imaginations.  It is good to have some strategies and products that serve as a good way to keep kids occupied, aside from screen time.  I love seeing my kids taking a break from their phones and doing some fun things. 

Here are some ideas to stay occupied off devices. These are some ways you can help kids to strategize, or they can plan something on their own. These also make for great gift ideas for girls, and I usually keep a list going of things when I think of them so I have gift ideas for friends and relatives.

Room Redo

This is often an age where children like to update their bedrooms. There are so many possibilities for ideas when it comes to changing up a bedroom space that gets kids thinking and planning.

You can make a project of repainting a room, starting with going to the store to pick out paint colors, and see how the paint swatches look at home.  Afterwards, have your child help with the process of creating a shopping list of materials needed for painting, setting up the space, and helping with the painting process. Any time we repaint our children’s bedrooms, we completely clean out the room from top to bottom before getting started. That way, a big cleaning can be a requirement for prepping the space before painting.  During the cleaning process, you can also go over things like donating old toys or coming up with organizational strategies.

If your child has some money saved, or an occasion coming up where they would receive gifts, there are lots of options. Bedding is a great way of updating a space, since there are so many colors and designs to choose from.  You can also consider things like accent pillows for a bed. Other items that are easy to change up a space are wall hangings, LED accent lighting, string lights, and wall greenery. These are all things you could shop for together or look at designs. Your child can also make things for their room, like coloring a DIY pillowcase or creating origami lights.

Reading

Reading materials are the perfect way to get away from electronics and get some educational value. This does not have to be a typical book!  There are so many other great options, from colorful magazines to joke books. If your child enjoys a certain subject or topic, you can often find a magazine or special book in that category, such as a magazine about pets or dolls.

Meal Prep & Cooking

Preparing food is a wonderful way to spend quality time with children. Recipe books are a good way to get some reading in, along with coming up with a strategy for something like planning a meal or a dessert. Kids can look through recipes, then come up with a grocery list, go on a shopping trip, and put together the recipe. 

Kids can also come up with a plan for a special occasion, like throwing a tea party or celebrating something.  There are lots of ways to fit in meal planning, even if it is a themed dinner, like breakfast for dinner or Taco Tuesday.

Arts & Crafts

Crafts are the perfect way to get creative.  This encompasses a wide variety of activities; anything from drawing to making gifts for upcoming occasions.  We are also a big fan of tie dyeing, as children can dye things that they can continue to enjoy, like t-shirts or socks. This is also a fun group activity if kids are looking to do something with their friends.  It is nice when crafts have a purpose, like tie dyed shirts or wall art.

Crafts have changed over the years, evolving to include diverse activities like sewing classes, which empower participants to create unique garments and accessories while honing their skills in a supportive environment. These classes not only teach valuable techniques but also foster creativity and a sense of accomplishment as students produce tangible, personalized pieces.

Outdoor activities

Outdoor activities are always a good idea to get off devices, and get some sunshine and fresh air. Family hikes are a nice way to spend quality time, but make sure that you pick family friendly hikes. Or choose a walk around a park that incorporates a playground, pond, or gardens.

There are plenty of ideas for outdoor fun, using a variety of toys or equipment. It is easy to get the kids outside with things like scooters, going for bike rides, setting up a slip ‘n slide, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and more. If your child is interested in a sport, you can easily do some practice, like taking a soccer ball to the park.