5 Off-Screen Activities & Ideas to Engage Your Kids
5 Off-Screen Activities & Ideas to Engage Your Kids
There are plenty of activities to reduce screen time. The key is finding the best off-screen activities for your kids. Because let’s face it, our kids (and us parents) could all use a breather from screen time.
With the abundant benefits of off-screen activities, your kids will use their imaginations, get creative, and play for hours.
Keep reading as we share our top picks for non-screen activities to do at home!
Here, we’ll break down everything you need to know about learning toys and how toys like Squaregles can engage your kids for hours!
What are Off-Screen Activities?
Off-screen activities are fun, exciting play ideas that don’t require any sort of screen or technology. They immerse kids into real-time play. For instance, building a castle with building toys versus pretending to build one online. Why is it important for kids to enjoy some unplugged play?
For starters, it’s a great way for kids to burn off physical energy. Screen time requires kids to stay sedimentary for long periods. Off-screen activities get them into motion!
By unplugging and immersing in real-world activities, kids get hands-on. Through interacting with certain learning toys and games, they act out scenarios in real-time — putting new skills directly into practice.
Screen-free activities teach kids about present-moment awareness. Research shows that when children learn about mindfulness, they cope better with anxiety and stress.
Balancing off and on-screen activities is crucial for fortifying kids’ social skills. By interacting with other kids in-person, children can hone their understanding of social cues, build bonds, and learn to collaborate.
If the question: “how to engage my child without a screen” is on your mind, here are our recommendations!
Here are STEAM toys’ top six attributes
Real-World Relevance
Free Exploration
Active Involvement
Supports Step by Step Learning
Arts
Logical Thinking
When’s the last time you felt utterly guilt-free taking a few hours for yourself to savor a cup of coffee or enjoy some uninterrupted time soaking up the sun on your patio?
STEAM-accredited learning toys can keep your energetic kids engaged for an entire evening – while fostering their development of vital life skills. It’s a win for them and us parents!
5 Off-Screen Activities for Kids
As a kid, finding things to do without technology can seem daunting, especially when screen activities are always within grasp. As parents, we can encourage them to jump into screen-free alternatives that inspire them to tap into their imaginations.
Offer these fun activities to unleash their creativity, provide an uplifting space to play for hours, and, best of all, give them a break from their screens.
1) Design a shirt
Start with what they love. Are your kids' artists? Grab the art supplies, and have them showcase their personality with a custom-designed t-shirt. What better way to engage them in off-screen activities than having them make something they can wear and show off?
How to get started:
Grab some plain t-shirts and fabric markers.
Create a design station for each person (yourself included!)
Let creativity lead the way! Whether it's handprints, tie-dye, fun illustrations, or inside jokes, each child can express themselves with this fun off-screen activity.
Sport your new tees! The best part? It’ll be a story you and your kids will love to tell every time you wear them!
2) Build an epic kingdom
Educational magnetic toys like Squaregles offer kids a chance to get lost in play for hours. With these exciting magnetic building toys, kids can partake in off-screen activities that are entirely open-ended, meaning there are no rules or set outcomes.
Squaregles are STEAM certified, which means kids will immerse themselves in play while learning vital skills.
They can create storylines for their Oggs characters and act out adventures in whatever way their imaginations steer them.
How to get started:
Pick up a Starter Set to kick things off. This 105-piece kit includes everything you and your kids need to build anything they envision.
Unbox your set and let your kids build limitlessly. You’re welcome to join in on the fun with them.
Take on a challenge! Squaregles’ challenge club hosts building challenges to get them involved and stimulate them to think creatively.
3) Cook a feast together
Cooking and baking are two of the most classic off-screen activities. Not just because they end with tasty meals and treats, but because cooking helps develop their STEAM skills. By following a recipe, measuring ingredients, understanding how they react scientifically, and so on, kids develop skills that will come in handy in the future.
How to get started:
Pick your recipe of choice. Start with something simple (like cookies).
Gather your ingredients! Need to run to the store? Encourage your kids to come along. Get them involved in the shopping.
Time to prep! Start pouring, whisking, and sprinkling. Make sure everyone has a task.
Set the timer and enjoy! Yum!
4) Build a fort
Most of us parents wonder: how I can have fun with my kids at home? A surefire answer? Build a fort! This is a super fun activity that the entire family can enjoy. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate both on- and off-screen activities.
How to get started:
Gather your fort-builders and arrange your space for maximum fortification (pun intended).
Gather all your materials: blankets, sheets, pillows, etc.
Get together to design and build your fort! (Optional: leave an opening for the TV screen and turn it into a movie night as a reward for their building efforts.)
Toss in the pillows and extra blankets.
Building a fort isn’t necessarily about the outcome. It’s about all of the fun kids will have engaging to bring their vision to life!
5) Have a dance-off
Looking for off-screen activities that’ll get kids moving and laughing? Impromptu dance parties are the answer. Dance-offs are a great way to shake things up and have fun with the whole family. Researchers suggest that dancing has positive outcomes on physical and psychosocial wellness.
How to get started:
Set an upbeat mood with a fun playlist. Try out this 60-minute KIDZ BOP Dance Party playlist on YouTube. But be sure to keep it on in the background, so kids don’t get distracted by the video.
Gather your shakers and movers. Why not inspire them to put on their best dancing clothes?
Hit the dance floor and watch them lose themselves to the beats!
Ready, Set, Play!
So how do you keep kids busy without screen time? You introduce them to bundles of fun with the off-screen activities we shared in this guide. First activity?
Set your kids up for a fun day of off-screen engagement with Squaregles magnetic toys!