5 Hobbies to Keep Kids Off Their Devices During Holiday Break
December 21st, 2021
Ideas that will gain your kids interest during their time off school for the Winter.
Kids these days are glued to their devices. It's not just an annoying habit but one that can be detrimental to their mental development and lead to tech addiction. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pry them away from their screens. There are so many apps to download, video games to play, and videos to watch that it seems difficult for parents to compete.
Especially with the holiday break upon us, you may want to limit screen time now that your kids are going to have a couple of weeks off school. Fortunately, there are plenty of other things your kids can do to keep them occupied instead of glued to their devices.
Arts and Crafts
Kids love to create things. When they are young, their imaginations know no bounds. These years are important to let their imagination run and figure out their strengths in art. There are plenty of ways to get kids back into an offline creative mode.
The first thing you can do is check your cabinets and pull out all the old art supplies. Another option is to take them to an art store or craft store so they can browse the aisles and pick out something new. Whether it's clay, glitter glue, paper mache, play dough, or paint brushes, giving kids different supplies will help keep their creativity flowing. Be mindful of high-quality materials for purposes of safety and productivity. For instance, good-quality woodworking materials will ensure that your kids don't hurt themselves while crafting.
Also making some holiday-themed arts and crafts will be a great activity to use their imagination and can even make some heartwarming gifts for friends and family. Some ideas like making their own ornaments, gingerbread houses, and holiday decorations.
Board Games
Many of the board games that we all grew up with have been made into apps for iPads and iPhones. But sometimes going from a physical game to an electronic one takes away some of the fun. Encourage your kids to swap video games for board games to play together.
Board games are not only great for building social skills but can also teach kids about math, science, language arts, and problem-solving. The possibilities are endless!
Volunteering
Another way to keep kids away from their screens for a little while is by encouraging them to volunteer. This can be at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or even for an elderly neighbor who could use the company. Helping others not only provides a great life experience but also boosts self-esteem and confidence while simultaneously building compassion and empathy towards different people.
During the holiday season, there are many more opportunities to volunteer your time to your community. Consider looking into local food and toy drives to give back to families that can’t give their own families much this holiday.
Did you know that volunteering can help with stress relief while increasing one's sense of purpose and fulfillment? It is a great way to teach kids about community service.
Reading
Reading is a great way to develop vocabulary and creativity. It also encourages kids to use their imaginations instead of solving everything with electronic devices. Plus, there are so many different kinds of books to rival screen time that it's nearly impossible for your kid not to find something they're interested in reading. Whatever their age and interests, there’s bound to be a book out there that they will love!
Sports
Sports are a great way to keep kids active and healthy. It also teaches them about teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication. It’s beneficial for parents to get involved in their kids''s sporting activities by attending games or practices as well as encouraging them at home with words of encouragement. If you happen to live where there is snow during the winter season, sledding and playing outside in the snow would be great activities to keep your kids off their devices and take advantage of the great outdoors.
Holiday Activities in Your Hometown
Most cities have their own holiday traditions and events every year. Plan a family outing to take the kids to these holiday-themed events and create beautiful memories together.
So many beautiful cities around the world decorate in their own ways. New York City has its tradition of setting up the Rockefeller tree and a skating rink right by it. San Diego decorates their Balboa Park and sets it up with beautiful Christmas decorations and does a production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Old Globe Theater. In San Francisco, a big Christmas tree and ice skating rink pop up in the middle of the city.
These are just some examples of what activities you can take your kids to during the holiday season and create some amazing memories..
Don’t let the holidays be all about the latest tech trends. Use this list—along with Circle Parental Controls—to help reduce screen time and encourage your kids to pursue a variety of interests.
