5 Fun Activities at Home to Keep Kids Away from Screens
When children are at home, parents often need to find things to keep them busy so they do not get bored or fussy. 😣 Did you know that developmental toys can help relieve boredom? The World Health Organization also recommends that young children spend less time sitting in front of screens and more time in active play (WHO). Read more: Help Kids Step Away from Screens with Toys
Beyond watching cartoons and doing homework, time at home is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, find things to play, and learn new skills. Here are some activities parents and other family members can enjoy with children. They may seem ordinary, but for kids, they can be exciting! 🤩
1. Become the Next Rising Star!
Dressing up and changing their look is something children are sure to enjoy. Taking on different roles is a form of play that #SupportsChildDevelopment. Choose a dress-up theme, whether a profession or an imaginary character, then record a short video together to watch later.
This activity is wonderful for sparking imagination and making creative use of your time together. It also strengthens the bond between children and their parents or caregivers.
Read more: Why Young Children Love Pretend Play
2. Bring Science into Everyday Life 🧪Not every child enjoys performing. Some prefer quiet activities that let them think independently, such as exploring science.
Fun experiments are a great idea. Try making "color-changing purple cabbage water." Have an adult chop purple cabbage and soak it in hot water until the water turns purple. Leave it to cool, then strain it into several glasses. Let your child add drops of lemon juice or vinegar (an acid), and the color will turn reddish-pink. In a glass mixed with baking soda (an alkali), it will turn blue-green.
Or try placing a celery stalk or a white flower in water mixed with food coloring. Wait until the next day to see how the color has been drawn up to the leaves. When children see the color change, their faces will light up with excitement! 🤩
Safety precautions: An adult must handle the hot water and supervise throughout the experiment. Do not let children drink or taste the experimental liquids, and keep vinegar and baking soda out of their reach after the activity.
This is one simple experiment you and your child can enjoy together. STEAM toys also encourage learning in subjects including physics and science.
For example, a magnet experiment kit helps children discover how magnets work and try different experiments. (Small magnets are extremely dangerous if swallowed. Follow the age guidance on the box and ensure adult supervision. If you suspect a child has swallowed a magnet, take them to a hospital immediately.)
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3. Solve a Puzzle 🧩 If you are looking for something simpler, we recommend puzzles just waiting for children to solve them! They come in levels ranging from basic to increasingly complex.
They help stimulate logical thinking and imagination. For safety, choose puzzles suited to your child's age (some sets contain pieces that are too small for young children and pose a choking risk — HealthyChildren.org). Read more: 4 Benefits of Playing with Puzzles
Hape puzzles offer many themes to choose from, including animals, everyday objects, numbers, and city scenes with movable elements. There are so many Hape puzzles to explore!
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4. Practice Being a Real Chef! 🍳 An afternoon with your children can fill your home with warmth and love, especially when you cook together!
Try baking cookies with your child. It is so much fun! Or prepare a simple breakfast together. There may be a few spills and messes, but it is a great opportunity for your child to learn about nutrition. (Adults should handle the stove, oven, and knives, and children should not taste raw cookie dough containing raw eggs.)
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5. What Could Beat Classic Dominoes? 😮 If you are looking for an activity that can keep your children absorbed for hours, try dominoes!
Children love wooden dominoes for the chain reaction as they topple one after another, right to the end. They can spend hours setting them up and watching them fall along the path they have planned.
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If you are looking for an excellent developmental toy, Hape toys are a great choice, with a wide range of wooden toys that support children's development at every age.
Hape is a wooden toy brand founded in Germany, known for its colorful, fun toys that support well-rounded development at every age.
Thoughtfully designed with children's learning in mind, these toys help children practice important skills such as seeing, listening, observing, fine motor control, problem-solving, imagination, and creativity. They also encourage integrated academic learning through STEAM.
With sturdy designs and durable materials, the toys focus on supporting children's development while making child safety a priority. They use non-toxic colors and FSC-certified wood. Their durability gives them a long useful life and makes them environmentally friendly.
Hape is therefore a global wooden toy brand that places importance on toy safety standards and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.
It is easy to see how Hape wooden toys can enrich these activities and help little ones spend time away from screens.
What matters most is sharing happy moments as a family, because love is what makes a home complete! What activities do you and your child enjoy together? 😁
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