Do you feel like you ruined your chances of raising a tech-free kid? If you’re like us and caved by giving your kids your hand-me-down technology, know that it’s not too late for kids to truly enjoy and engage in tech-free alternatives.
We said we’d never be those parents to let our kids have iPhones, but it happened. According to CNN, we aren’t the only ones. 98% of households with kids under 8 have a mobile device. We went from letting them use the phone for school apps to Candy Crush to YouTube binging. Not good especially since I’m referring to kids under 10 years old (6 and 9).
We knew we needed to change things fast or childhood memories would consist of YouTube videos watching kids (so weird!) and Candy Crush game scores, not to mention the more critical effects like obesity and other cognitive disabilities. We manage meal time without technology like champs, but the rest had clearly gotten out of control.
Take It Away
For your kids to truly disengage, take it all away. TV, phone, iPad, XBox, whatever screen of choice it is for your child, take it away. Not just for a day but at least 3 days; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are a great choice. I’m particularly fond of the 21-day rule, but 3 days are far more doable when technology surrounds us everywhere we go. And besides, trying something for 21 days like this would be exceptionally hard, if not impossible.
There will be exceptions, like visiting a friend’s house, sitting in a waiting room where TVs are typically blaring, or family movie night. For our family, it’s not about eliminating technology entirely, but about setting boundaries and finding fun, adventure, and happiness beyond behind a digital screen.
From Boredom to Discovery
Whining, complaining and boredom sets in once the technology has been taken away. And if the screen time addiction is really bad, even crying might ensue. Honestly, if that’s the case, your kids need this now more than ever. Mine did and that’s when I realized that I needed to stop making excuses for delaying a digital detox.
Boredom sets in immediately once accessibility to technology is non-existent. Kids become completely unsure of how to spend their time and use their minds. Typically a few requests to make beds, clean rooms, dusting and vacuuming push them to think for themselves to find fun tech-free alternatives. It doesn’t happen without a fair bit of complaining and pushing your buttons but don’t give in. Help by making suggestions if chores don’t force them to think on their own. Nudge them along but part of this detox is getting them to find tech-free alternatives that are fun for them, and not necessarily you.
Before you know it, your kids will find their own fun. Here are top outside and inside tech-free alternatives fit for a 6 and 9-year-old. Both genders included.
Outside
1 – Archery – Perfect for boys and girls with a child-friendly bow. They can create their own competitions, targets and play for hours trying to outdo one another.
2 – Nature Exploring – Rock collecting, woods exploring, nature hunting and animal spotting are why this tops my kids’ list of most fun things to do outside.
3 – Squirrel Trapping – With a cardboard box, string and scissors, the kids can create their own squirrel trap. None caught to date but the idea of spotting and pulling that string whenever they see “Chippy” is a hunt they believe they can win.
4 – Badminton – It takes a certain level to keep the game going, but there is something about this old pastime that makes my heart warm when they beg to stay outside longer to keep playing.
5 – Football/soccer – With a few cones, a ball and two players, the kids are good to go.
Inside
1 – Battleship – This vintage game is perfect for strategic thinking time your kids need to have.
2 – Hide & Seek – Also great for outside and rainy days.
3 – Build A Fort – Imagination really sets in with fort building. A bonus is letting them sleep in it.
4 – Card Games & Puzzles – Fish never seems to get old. Puzzles are great to do individually but also as a family. Let them pick their own and even work on it over time if it’s a big one.
5 – Nerf Anything – Whether it’s bedroom basketball or nerf guns, the kids can play this for hours.
And lastly, playing with dolls. Baby dolls get changed at least 3-4 times a day. And when there is no real laundry involved, it’s the best playtime ever for a 6-year-old girl.
Enforce Time Limits
The reality is, you can’t eliminate technology forever nor do you likely want to. It saves us when we need that time to get things done or to take an important call. Technology is a part of what our society relies upon today, including school systems, for which I’m grateful. I want my kids to be successful when they grow up and that means knowing how to use it. This means technology will still be in our house, and our kids will be rewarded with screen time over time, but it boils down to enforcing time limits and controls that make it manageable so that the need for a digital detox is a thing of the past.
Trying to keep track of kids screen time manually is possible but most likely inaccurate. Technology today like Parental Control & Kid Tracker App or Kidslox (easier to use and longer free trial) does this for you.
A digital detox isn’t easy but doesn’t take as long as you think. And once your kids find tech-free alternatives they enjoy, losing screen time becomes less of a big deal. Install a monitoring app and ease back into technology use that works right for your family. So go on…schedule your own family digital detox today.