I am guilty of this as well - especially after a long day at work. One thing that works for us is implementing a time limit for screen time. They do need to be able to play on their own without you or a screen sometimes! Things my 6 year old likes to do on his own are legos, art projects (all he needs is a pile of construction paper, scissors, and glue which are all easily accessible in an art center in our home), or playing in our fenced in backyard. My 3 year old is very independent so I know this doesn't work for everyone (my older never played independently at this age!), but he likes to play dinosaurs or in his pretend kitchen, or just wandering around with his stuffed animals making up games.

It is SO EASY to let them veg out for long periods of time with the tv or iPad and, like I said, I'm guilty of letting it happen too, but kids need to have some time to entertain themselves as well - and you shouldn't have to be leading it all the time. We have lots of family activity time, but I think it's also important to have individual time as well, without devices, for all members of the family. Make sure they see you and their dad doing other things as well!

Anonymous wrote:These area all such common sense childhood activities that it should be a big flag for parents of younger kids how detrimental reliance on screens are for childhood development.

Easy there.

OP knows this. Hence his or her request for advice.

Frankly, what you observed is true of so much of parenting. A lot of it IS common sense. But even so, it's always nice to hear from others what's been working for them.

You just need to take away the screens. There are a couple of days of whining and boredom, but then it is just SO MUCH BETTER. Trust me. I went through this whole thing, I had such a love-hate relationship with the screens because they are entertained and quiet when they are on them, but it's like, wow, they are zombies. Just announce that screens are only available on weekdays after camp, or weekends until noon, or some rule, and then STICK TO IT. If they get bored, send them outside, have kids over for play dates, take them to the pool, or even just ignore them and let them figure something on their own. It's worth it.

Perler Beads

Legos (DH or I suggest things for them to build out of their Legos and they compete to make the best one)
Any building toys (marble runs, gears, magnatiles)
Card games (Sleeping Queens, Slamwich, Uno, Skipbo)
Long baths with toys

These area all such common sense childhood activities that it should be a big flag for parents of younger kids how detrimental reliance on screens are for childhood development.

My kids make "snuggle islands" which are all of their blankets and stuffed animals piled into a corner and then they burrow into it and once that's all done, they read, or tell stories, or make stuff up. 45-1hour.

Downside, the big huge pile of stuffed stuff in the corner of the room...Yes they "clean it up" but not well.

Big, huge bin of books from the library. Refreshed weekly, sometimes twice a week.

Our kids are 5 and 8, and we take them to pick new books every week, sometimes twice a week. We let the kids pick whatever they want. Doesn't matter if the books are the right level, educational or not etc. Whatever they want.

Often we have 30 books or more out at a time between the two of them. (We renew on-line, which helps.) But reallyl, I think it's the volume and the novelty (switching them out often) that helps keep them engaged.

They love that they can choose. In reality, this means we get a ton of "books" about Lego series (Ninjago, Chima), Star Wars, Superheros etc. And lots of those big, huge picture books about things to build with lego. Lots of bizarre and random graphic novels. Lots of Guiness Books of World Records and Weird but True books.

Not quite quality literature, but it's free and they love it. They lounge around on the playroom floor together with a mess of books and toys, flipping pages, looking at pictures, sometimes the older reading or explaining a bit to the younger. But mostly they're just relaxing the way they would with an iPad.

Only advice: If you go the route of getting tons of library books, just have the kids keep them in a single room. Otherwise, you'll go nuts trying to find them when it's time to return . . . .

The kids will lounge on the couch

Definitely board games and card games like Uno. There are lots of great board games out there - it doesn't have to be monopoly!

Also colouring is great - I have huge floor mats to be coloured in and they love it and it's quite therapeutic for all of us. You can also get really good activity books for their ages which have puzzles, things to draw, dot-to-dot, etc.

And reading, of course - even kids who can read themselves enjoy being read to and my kids can listen for hours.

If your children tell you they're bored, give them chores. Take away the damn screens, permanently, and grow a freaking backbone.

My kids loved to listen to audiobooks while vegging out in the living room. We got them from the library.

Your children are older. Why not make them solve the problem? Seriously. Growing up we had one TV and this was before cable my parents did not entertain me! If I said I was bored my mom gave me silver to polish or various other horrible housekeeping tasks. I learned quickly to figure it out on my own. People need to stop figuring out everything for their kids.

Book on CD

Take a walk and/or nature scavenger hunt

Ride bikes

Color, paint, Playdoh (inc. Making playdoh) draw (get an Ed Emberly book from the library on how to make creatures from thumbprints...my kids loved doing this)

Your kids aren't too young to many games, including card games: old maid, Ratuki, war, skipbo, etc. try hullabaloo, twister, etc.

Water play (buckets, ice, ladles, cups, tongs, eye dropper, baster (eye dropper kind and kind that is a brush), etc on a porch or deck. Kids love this.

Freeze mini toys inside a bowl with water, let them excavate them out with water and a paintbrush. No chiseling

Play in a tub (bathing suits on if you want and toys)

Books, books, books

Dress up clothes

Puzzles

Lego sets

Science experiments

If, however, you are looking for an activity that allows them and to you veg for a period of time, not just relax, consider implementing daily quiet time where they can't talk to anyone for 45 minutes. Mine would typically read, draw, do puzzles or lego sets during this time.

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.

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

It's screens but having the whole family try to dance with a music video is fun for all and I think sort of the line you are looking for.

Also, there are paper books too, but this free app helps find a good set of card games and we have good luck with all ages. Bicycle® How To Play by The United States Playing Card Company
https://appsto.re/us/vDpgJ.i

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.

Well I am the PP and was just giving suggestions to OP. My kids have always loved lists and respond better to them. They still have plenty of time all day long to do what they want but instead of saying they are bored, begging for electronics, or moaning if I ask them to do something, a list is a quick thing to look at and we don't have to react off the other. Some days there are only a few things, especially if we have plans. But a football Sunday when DH and I want to relax some and watch a game? A list goes a very long way and everyone is happy. It also helps homework battles during the school year. Sorry it bothers you. I am sure you can offer suggestions off the top of your head every time with a smile and never get annoyed at your kids. Not all of us can.