Ways to relax with kids w/out screens

[Anonymous]

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. ?

[Anonymous]

We read a lot of library books together.
If not board games, what about Uno or another card game? Can you find a new board game they might both like?
Or maybe sketching/drawing?

[Anonymous]

Don't have too much advice since we're in the same boat. Think this is the complete downside of our tech world. The only thing I've found that works at all is just saying "go find something to do -- read, draw, get outside!" If they push back, you can always say if they go play for xx minutes, then they can have xx minutes of screens. I was an only child and entertained myself all the time. I don't understand why my kids can't do the same thing. (or I do understand - iphone, ipad, laptop, apps, etc. etc....)

[Anonymous]

Bath time!! Extra bubbles. You parents can be outside the bath of course but I think it's relaxing for everyone. We just got some really fun bath tubes as toys. (See boon on Amazon). They're fun for the adults to put together.

[Anonymous]

Some things I do with my kids (7 & 9):

Puzzles
Board games (go buy some new & good ones!)
Color
Origami
Walk the dog
Go swimming
Bake things
I taught them to play jacks
Nerf gun fights (I love this!)

[Anonymous]

They can play twister
Build a tent inside
Write a "newspaper"
Paint
Make up stories and songs

Do they play musical instruments?

My DD takes to scrubbing the whole bathroom down with a sponge when she runs out of stuff to do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They can play twister
Build a tent inside
Write a "newspaper"
Paint
Make up stories and songs

Do they play musical instruments?

My DD takes to scrubbing the whole bathroom down with a sponge when she runs out of stuff to do!

Can she come to my house and show my kids? :

[Anonymous]

Checkers, dominoes, charades are all games we played in the good old days when the TV had just two channels.

[Anonymous]

I disagree about the board games - you surely can do them. It kind of sounds from your post that you and your DH don't really want to parent and your kids run the show. How sad. It might be easier for you in the short run, but I don't think you're doing yourself any favors in the long run.

Maybe your kids don't need to relax - maybe they need to be active. Teach them to be independently active. Explain safety parameters and let them go outside.

There are lots of non-screen ways to relax- a bath, journaling, reading, a quiet puzzle game.

They can be engaged in chores around the house and in the garden/yard. They can do those silly bracelets on the wonder loom

[Anonymous]

The more time you give your kids without screens and a specific planned activity, the more their imaginations will stretch!

It's good for kids to be bored occasionally, it helps them learn to entertain themselves.

We play board games like Trouble, co-operative games like Granny's House and The Secret Door, and card and dice games like Tenzi, War, slap jack, etc.

Try starting a 30-minute 'quiet break time' in the evenings. Kids can play quietly, draw/color/paint etc, read, but no screens.

Perler beads are a great all-ages activity that can be very meditative.

Get everyone their own coloring book and have family coloring time!

Have 'family book club'---everyone grabs a book, and hangs out together reading for awhile. The 5 yo can read iSpy books or listen to an audiobook on headphones.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

Don't be a killjoy these are all just people's suggestions, to take or to leave. You are too uptight.

[Anonymous]

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.

My kids are 4 and 6'and would love most of this stuff

[Anonymous]

iPads are awesome and are almost certainly making your kids smarter. Carry on without guilt.