Getting kids interested in more than YT and video games?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of internet and video games. Give them other traditional toys to play with instead.

You caused this.

+1

"Traditional toys" for 14 and 12 year old

11-16 year old girls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of internet and video games. Give them other traditional toys to play with instead.

You caused this.

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of internet and video games. Give them other traditional toys to play with instead.

You caused this.

What traditional toys would you buy for a 12 and 14yo?
My kid is 13 and not quite like OPs but doesn’t play with toys either.

Toys turn into hobbies around that age, but it varies greatly among individuals. You have to find some hands on activities they like, but you won’t do that sitting in front of a screen. Some ideas:

Sports equipment
Board games
Books
Legos
Drawing / painting
Science or engineering kits
Baking
Lawn care equipment
Small Engine or motor repair kits
Puzzles
Miniature kits like cars or houses
Woodworking kits
RC car kits
Bicycle ramps
Skateboard
Roller skates
Photography
Jewelry making or repair
Gardening
Sewing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 13yo only DD. Screens are restricted during the week but free rein for the most part on weekends BUT if I say we’re going on a hike or doing something together she doesn’t really argue. I do tell her when she had free time so maybe that helps?
So like today, we did volunteer stuff and churchthis morning. Then she did homework for a couple of hours and has an activity she enjoys from 3-5. I told her if she gets all her homework done and room tidied up before 3 she could do whatever she likes from 5-bedtime. I’ll even let her eat dinner and keep watching her phone if she wants to. She’s been good all day about everything else.

Vulgar

[Anonymous]

I think this is the hardest age. What they need to be doing is transitioning to hanging out with their friends (in person, not on line), but they have no interest in having parents involved in setting up "play dates" and they can't quite get it together to get friends together on their own. Plus, our 13 year old has a phone, but no snap chat and a lot of boys at that age do not reply to texts - only snaps.

I will say that our 15 (almost 16) year old is past this and now hangs out with friends every weekend. 13 year old is mainly on screens, doing organized sports, some hobbies (sketching and baking), and doing family activities that I force. But I'm pretty confident this will change once he gets to high school and he'll have his group he hangs out with.

[Anonymous]

This is a generational thing. We used to watch TV for hours. They watch YouTube videos and play video games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:14 and 12 yrs old would spend the whole weekend on YouTube and video games if I let them. They reject every activity I suggest, and if I insist, they get moody, it's exhausting.

Yesterday, after a lot of resistance, we went to the zoo, a cool bakery, and Five Below (their choice). At home I suggested a movie; they refused until I asked for just 15 minutes then we watched the whole thing. They were rolling laughing.

Today I planned a short nature walk, another bakery, and an activity of their choice, but the complaining started again. I told them I’m going and they can stay home but no electronics. They access to a phone for calls (no internet).

Is this what I’m in for the next few years? Are there ways I can interest them without all the hassle? It’s so draining.

Your 14 and 12 year old boys don’t want to take “nature walks” with their mom. Come on.