One of the biggest challenges of being a home mom is finding new ways to entertain your kids. Often we rely on technology to entertain our children for us.
I know I’m guilty of turning on the TV or making my daughter use my iPad longer than I need to.
Luckily there are plenty of affordable and creative ways for parents to plug in and entertain their kids without feeling guilty.
Here are 11 ways to entertain your child without using technology.
1. Creative open-end play toys
Skip expensive toys that require batteries, drive nuts and choose open-ended toys that allow children to use their imagination. Companies such as Safari Ltd, Learning Express, MagicCabin, Kiwico and Mindware offer educational products that stimulate unstructured imaginative play while expanding children’s horizons.
Forces you to use LEGOs, train sets, blocks, role-playing toys, tea sets, toys such as doll houses, kitchens, puzzles, playdoes, and other toys, toys that limit the possibilities of playtime.
2. Please cook
What kids don’t like to go into the kitchen and play? ! Depending on your child’s age, you can take out a bowl, measure a cup, take out a spoon, and have them try out items such as dried cereal and rice. Let them make jello, pudding, or one of these simple bakeless recipes for older kids.
3. Cardboard box
I always loved it when my dad brought a big cardboard box home for my sister and I to play. We cut out the doors and windows, decorated them, then added all our favorite toys and possessions. On some nights we even slept in a newly acquired cardboard castle. It’s not just a fun time, but it’s easy to do. You can head to your local appliance store and see if there are any large boxes you can have. You can also check Amazon. They have a variety of cardboard playhouses, rockets and castles that children can decorate with stickers, paints and markers.
4. Art and craft time
I’m not very creative when it comes to thinking about art and craft ideas. Fortunately, for me and all other non-creators in the world, we have a wealth of online resources, books and subscription boxes to help you. First, we stock some basic art supplies, colored crayons, markers, adhesives, scissors, paper, sparkle, thread, pipe cleaner, paper plates, paint, stickers and beads first.
To get some ideas, check out sites like Pinterest, Kids Activity, Kids Craft Room and create and take a variety of craft ideas. I also managed to find cheap craft books on Goodwill and Amazon.
If you want to package art supplies and instructions together, try our subscription box. There is a subscription box for all ages and interests. I’ve included some of the following to get you started.
5. Scavenger Hunt
One of my favorite activities since I was a kid was taking part in a nearby scavenger hunt. My mother creates a list of items we need to find, and my friends and I visit Annoy your neighbors with a variety of items. Times have changed, but perhaps your kids don’t feel comfortable running around the neighborhood and looking for sweets. You can perform a scavenger hunt within your own home or garden. For younger children, paste photos of the objects on paper and give them a basket to collect items. Once you’ve found all the items you need, plan a simple reward.
If you wish, you can use one of the many scavenger hunt games available on Amazon.
6. Books and magazines
I admit I’m obsessed with reading, and when there’s already a mountain I’m waiting for me to read, I have the awful habit of buying lots of books. My daughter has the same tendency in books, so it must be genetic. Luckily, membership to our local library is free. This allows my daughter to choose as many new books as she wants to read. They also have a book on tape and CDs. Sale of thrift stores and garages is another good option for picking up gentle, used books at a low price.
Monthly magazine subscriptions and book clubs are a great way to read for kids too! And they get the added surprise of getting something fun through email.
Check out here:
7. Water play
I live here in Texas. If you’re outside during the summer, you need to be in the water. Allow your little ones to water your plants, garden, or lawns, keep them cool and have fun. Set up sprinklers and either go through them or fill with a bucket of water and give them a water toy to play with. My daughter loves when I fill up her wading pool and set her up with her tea set – she could play there for hours. Of course, don’t leave small items alone when playing in the water. Other water toys you want to buy are water tables, slip-and-slides, or water balloons.
8. Get an Entrepreneur
I don’t know if you were born from an entrepreneurial bug, but as a kid I was always trying to sell something. From lemonade and perfumes to pet rocks and salamanders, I was always looking for creative ways to make money. Encourage your child’s entrepreneurship by helping children set up lemonade stands, start a blog, and sell creative products on Etsy. For more information on how to encourage entrepreneurship for your children, see the book “Raising Your CEO Children.”
9. It’s moving
My mother, the eldest of three, always let us get our kids out of the house and burn energy. Luckily we had a neighbourhood full of kids of all ages. We played Hidden on a regular basis, The Ghost is out tonight, with Freezetags, Red Rovers and kickballs. Needless to say, we’re riding our bikes, playing with our swing sets (as we were called back then), not to mention just chasing each other. Encourage your child to move and act. Do you have any kids living nearby? Do you live on a busy street? There are plenty of organized classes, camps and actives for the kids to move in. Here are some popular classes to check out.
10. Gardening
Planting seeds is one of the easiest ways to teach your child about nature and the life cycle. Buy dirt and seeds and plant the seeds in containers. Garlic bulbs, sunflowers and basil have been found to grow easily and quickly. Another fun project is to create your own cheerpet, take a cup, draw a face, and plant grass seeds. As the grass grows, your little one can even cut “hair”. Check out your kids’ gardening for more fun ideas.
11. Building a fort
When I was a child we always built forts inside and outside. Sometimes we would take sheets and hang them on top of the clothesline to make a tent. They also build forts from sofa cushions, or behind bushes and trees. Give your children supplies (sheets, blankets, pillows, laundry crafts, fairy lighting, boxes, poles) and see what they have made. Or buy a Fort Making Kit from a company like Fort Magic.
Here are other resources to flush your creative juices:
Conclusion
Enjoing your child without technology can be a challenge while you work from home. But as parents, we need to use technology sparingly so that children can inspire and encourage them to use their minds and bodies creatively.
How can you work and entertain your kids from home when they are at home?
It was first published on July 25th, 2012. The content was updated in March 2020.
Safari Ltd gave my daughter a free toy to review. Please note that I’m just promoting ads from companies I feel I can legally recommend it to my readers.