Family Activities for Every Age
School is out, and unplugged fun is in! From scavenger hunts to craft nights, a little extra creativity can turn a typical tech break into a tech vacation for the whole family to enjoy. Read on for more information and inspiration about going screen-free this summer.
t’s no secret that digital media has benefits and risks. Kids and families can use screen time in moderation to learn together, have fun, and cultivate a greater perspective of the world around them. However, excessive screen time has been linked to irregular sleep patterns, reduced attention span, behavioral issues, impaired academic performance, higher risk of obesity, and less time for creative play for kids.
So how much is too much? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, media use by children under 2 years old should be very minimal or avoided altogether if possible, and older children should be limited to one or two hours a day. While this limit may seem challenging to maintain during summer vacation, the secret to extended screen-free fun is to get creative and plan ahead.
Start simple! Take note of materials you already have at home, and think about the activities your child typically enjoys.
For example, if your child loves to explore and learn new things, you might send your child outside with a magnifying glass and a notebook for a scientific expedition. Activities like this are not only easy and inexpensive, but they also support children as they develop essential skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and resilience.
Screen-Free Activity Ideas
Ages 3-6
Make a water sensory bin. Fill a large bin with a few inches of water, and customize it to your liking for hours of fun! Add scooping tools, water-safe toys, and paintbrushes. For added sensory fun, try adding frozen toys, bubbles, or homemade paper boats.
Read a book. Who doesn’t love a good story? Make nostalgic summer memories and inspire your child’s love for learning with dedicated reading time. Reread a family favorite book at home, explore your local library, or work together to write a new story of your own.
Get creative. Cover your kitchen table with a large sheet of butcher paper and let your little artist’s imagination run wild with the art supplies of your choice. This activity doubles as a fun, stress-free opportunity for kids to improve fine motor skills.
Ages 7-12
Create a time capsule. Decorate an old shoebox or pencil case, and fill it with small, special items from around the house – bonus points for writing a letter to your future self. After your time capsule is complete, waterproof your container as needed and have fun burying it in the backyard.
Play with chalk. For high-energy kids, fill your driveway or sidewalk with an imaginative chalk obstacle course. Add hopscotch squares, “balance beams,” squiggly lines, numbers, and alphabet letters for an added math or spelling challenge.
Go on a scavenger hunt. This activity can be customized for indoor or outdoor fun. Simply create a list of scavenger hunt items, and let your young adventurer lead the way! You can even give your scavenger hunt a creative theme or hide a special prize along the way.
Ages 13+
Go camping in the backyard. Set up the ultimate at-home campsite for an entire evening of fresh air and fun. Set up a tent, play a card game, tell stories around the campfire, and don’t forget the s’mores!
Cook something new. Get creative in the kitchen, and let your teen take the lead. Try a new cuisine or work together to perfect a more complicated recipe. This culinary challenge is all about teamwork and practicing practical kitchen skills as a family.
Host a craft night. Scrapbooking, collaging, painting, upcycling, and more – there are endless art forms for the whole family to enjoy during a craft night. Gather all your preferred materials, put on your family’s favorite music, and let your imagination do the rest!