Ways to relax with kids w/out screens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may sound like a dumb question, but what are some relaxing activities that can be done with kids (mine are 5 and 8) that isn't just everyone vegging in front of a screen? We can't really do board games yet - the kids don't want to play the same ones.

DH and I are so exhausted all the time that when we want to relax we just hand over the iPads. ?

Coloring, building blocks, walks outdoors, reading books, baking cookies, decorating, crafts, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Your best bet is to make a list for them EVERY day to scratch off - in the order THEY want to. Make a few chores and few fun things. This always works for us. Below are some examples when we are at home most of the day and I have to work or clean a lot....

1. Make bed, brush teeth, get dressed
2. Create a song or dance show for this evening after dinner. Make sure to put up posters to announce the event.
3. 30 minutes of electronics
4. Sock sorting. Find all the matches. Then I will give you one sock each to make your own sock puppets for the show!
5. Create a sandwich restaurant for lunch. You get to make them and serve Mom!
6. You each pick one board game and play with each other. You get a tv show if you finish both without fighting.
7. Lysol wipe every doorknob in the house. Guess how many there are. The closest one gets to pick the afternoon snack.
8. Me time. We all head to our rooms for 30 minutes (set a timer.) Read books, write stories, play with stuffed animals. YOU decide!
9. Collect all your plastic toys in a mesh bin. Take them outside and fill up a rubbermaid bin with soap and wash/rinse them all. Wear your bathing suits
10. Bath, brush teeth, pajamas, read one book to Mom or Dad.

Oh for f's sake, please don't do this. A song or dance show for this evening after dinner? With posters? This poster sounds like she's been perusing pintrest on crack.

This the ES forum not the cute little Gen Parenting forum where a 4 yr old would do this.

Echoing above PP - my 6, 8, and 10 yr old would never go for any of these ideas.

Sounds like you have some cynical kids, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Your best bet is to make a list for them EVERY day to scratch off - in the order THEY want to. Make a few chores and few fun things. This always works for us. Below are some examples when we are at home most of the day and I have to work or clean a lot....

1. Make bed, brush teeth, get dressed
2. Create a song or dance show for this evening after dinner. Make sure to put up posters to announce the event.
3. 30 minutes of electronics
4. Sock sorting. Find all the matches. Then I will give you one sock each to make your own sock puppets for the show!
5. Create a sandwich restaurant for lunch. You get to make them and serve Mom!
6. You each pick one board game and play with each other. You get a tv show if you finish both without fighting.
7. Lysol wipe every doorknob in the house. Guess how many there are. The closest one gets to pick the afternoon snack.
8. Me time. We all head to our rooms for 30 minutes (set a timer.) Read books, write stories, play with stuffed animals. YOU decide!
9. Collect all your plastic toys in a mesh bin. Take them outside and fill up a rubbermaid bin with soap and wash/rinse them all. Wear your bathing suits
10. Bath, brush teeth, pajamas, read one book to Mom or Dad.

Oh for f's sake, please don't do this. A song or dance show for this evening after dinner? With posters? This poster sounds like she's been perusing pintrest on crack.

This the ES forum not the cute little Gen Parenting forum where a 4 yr old would do this.

Echoing above PP - my 6, 8, and 10 yr old would never go for any of these ideas.

The OP's kids are 5 and 7 asshole. Preschooler and 1st grader.

But yes, be proud your kids are mini-teens, especially the 6yr old - WTH??? I guess only Pokemon, video games, and PG-13 movies are fun for your 6 and 8yr olds.

Please enlighten us with what your kids do for fun around the house that does not have a screen?