Roughly ten years ago, I took my teenage kids to a remote mountain cabin near Travelers Rest, South Carolina. When making the reservation, I noticed that Wi-Fi was unavailable in the cabins. I had a rudimentary flip-phone and my kids had a laptop and a few interactive toys that connected to the internet which were used as a reward after their chores and schoolwork. Of course, occasionally they were allowed to call/text their friends or play games on my phone; social media was just beginning to gain momentum on the home front. The internet was still relatively new to the general public and smartphones were not readily available or very affordable until several years later.
Honestly, I did not think much of not having internet service on the trip because our family was very accustomed to hiking, bird watching, biking, foraging, fishing, kayaking, etc. However, the children were completely DEVASTATED upon realizing that they would not have contact with their friends and could not play digital games unless we drove 10 miles away from the cabin. The moaning, whining, and gnashing of teeth ceased within the first two hours as I gently reminded them of things that I knew would pique their interest: hidden geocaches, beautiful waterfalls and streams (my son was making fly fishing lures at that time), exquisite plants, whimsical butterflies, colorful mushrooms, bears and raccoons, etc.
Think about this for a moment: In order to utilize an electronic device, you must disengage with something or someone else. Perhaps your something or someone else is a child or a significant other, an elderly parent, a career, exercise, chores, a close friend, pets, or hobbies. Where your attention goes, energy flows, and humans are greatly influenced by their immediate environment as well as the practices and routines of their home (positive or negative). Exposure to different types of stimuli at specific developmental stages of life eventually molds minds, strengthens or crushes morals, and shapes our worldview. Be patient; don’t be surprised if your child or grandchild initially balks at the concept of screen-free activities; it is not totally their fault.
Children of this era are frequently called digital natives; although they are technologically advanced, the internet has created, defined and infiltrated every facet of their world. Manual/analog activities encourage compassion, ingenuity, increase attention spans, reduce stress, increase social and motor skills, and ignite appreciation for the present moment. And, let’s not forget the wide array of health benefits that can only be received by spending time outside.
You can prepare for screen-free activities by practicing; set aside a designated time each day that is intentional and does not require a screen. Gather necessary materials and start with 30 minute sessions, increasing the time periodically. Pencil it in on your schedule if necessary, just as you would an appointment or a meeting; consider it a form of self-care. Many people find that they naturally and unknowingly extend the time that they have set aside because it is so relaxing, invigorating, comforting, and enjoyable. This analog downtime allows them to connect with others and themselves on a much deeper level. If you are at a loss for ideas of how to spend time without a device or how to entertain your children without a screen, you are in luck; the activities below have been personally tested by the staff of Our Town Magazine.
Outdoor Activities Without Screens
When the weather is hot, and school is out, take the kids to the lake or a river! If there is anyone in the group who is not confident in the water, there are an abundance of local opportunities to take lessons or practice. You may want to include tent camping, hiking, skipping rocks, bonfires, skiing, fishing, kayaking, etc. depending on the equipment, terrain, and resources that are available. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch or grab something already prepared on the way. There are also several parks in Lexington County to choose from with splash pads and towering misters, such as Saluda Shoals Park, Corley Park, and Virginia Hylton Park.
Like animals? If you have pets, use this time to teach and guide your child how to properly care for and maintain your pet. If your home does not have a pet, maybe a friend would allow them to earn money watching their pets. They can also volunteer at local animal shelters and boarding facilities. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has many wonderful programs for school-age children year round that instill responsibility and a compassion for the environment. Use this opportunity to show them how to use a camera and/or binoculars, depending on their maturity level and age.
Backyard Fun
Plan some old-fashioned fun in your backyard with water balloons, kiddie pools, water guns, and popsicles. Water tables with measuring cups, plastic containers and toy boats are a great way to encourage young children to get their hands in the dirt by pouring, digging, and stirring while making mud pies. Have a field day sort of competition with wheelbarrow races, musical chairs, flag football, relay races, and an egg spoon drop contest. Trick them into cleaning and vacuuming the car by turning it into a splash and dash game! Most kids enjoy planting seeds and watching them grow, a life skill which will serve them many years from now. If you do not have space for a garden, collect plastic liners or containers that can be used until the plants are mature enough to be transplanted.
Don’t forget about items you already have on hand such as sidewalk chalk, bicycles, swing sets, trampolines, and jump ropes; find a shady spot under a tree and set up areas for horseshoes, badminton, cornhole, croquet, and perhaps a simple obstacle course. Classic pastimes never fail to disappoint; set up a scavenger hunt, and have rounds of Hide and Seek, Hopscotch, and LeapFrog. Grab a few bird, tree, and insect identification books for a nature discovery walk. Encourage children to locate and collect small rocks, leaves, flowers, and twigs to create an art project by gluing them to a canvas or a patio stone. My kids also enjoyed many years of catching fireflies and placing them temporarily clear glass jars to create a live, glowing nightlight!
Indoor Activities Without a Screen
Sometimes the weather refuses to cooperate with our plans. When it is unbearable outside because it is too hot or too cold, we must gather reinforcements such as board games, playdough, puzzles, cards, marbles/jacks, Legos, coloring and activity books. Depending on their age, have them handwrite a letter, journal entry, short story, or poem, including pictures! Find a penpal for each child; keep soldiers serving overseas and nursing home residents in mind. They love receiving letters from children.
Many children find learning a new language to be exciting; make flash cards and hold game-like competitions to encourage participation. Introduce children to shadow games in a dark room with a flashlight, puppetry, and charades. Teach them how to use pots, pans, spoons, cheese graters, and plastic containers for a musical and create silly lyrics or have a dance competition just for giggles. Let them read out loud to each other from a book that interests them or make paper airplanes to see who can fly theirs the farthest. Perhaps Grandmother knows how to crochet, sew, knit, or cross-stitch; this is the perfect time to learn a craft and enjoy time with loved ones.
Give them old magazines or newspapers to make collages. Ignite their imagination with clothes, props and costumes that encourage role play as an animal, superhero, or a business professional. Have them majestically cross an elegant carpet and enter a blanket fort lined with pillows. Most kids think making a mess is a blast! Wash their hands and let them choose a meal or treat to prepare and serve while you supervise, assist, and clean up. Without devices at the table, you will find eventually each person will share what is going on in their lives.
When everyone in the house gets cabin fever and it is too miserable to be outside, visit friends or family, practice a hobby or sport, or take everyone to the Lexington County Museum, Edventure Children’s Museum, Lexington County Library, Village Square Theater, or the Chapin Theater Company to expand artistic perspectives, have fun in a safe environment, and gain valuable life lessons.
As you can see, the main idea of having time without a screen is to find activities that genuinely interest you (or your children), are suitable for their age, instills natural curiosity, and won’t break the bank. The type of project that suits each person will vary due to physical adeptness, budget, personal interests, and time limitations. Screen-free periods can be utilized to pray, read, create physical and mental playtime, spend time with loved ones, learn a new skill, volunteer at a local food pantry or nursing home, or simply relax. All in all, the lesson here is with less screen time, more creativity is born, and less stress to boot! It’s a win no matter how you look at it.
