12 SCREEN FREE ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS
Screen free activities for toddlers is a much-discussed topic nowadays, as we can all agree that too much time spent with screens and devices does not do much for the wellbeing of children.
Being a mother who used to rely on screen time, more than I would have liked at times, I thought to myself one day, “Is there anything I can do differently and still manage to have my sanity intact”?
We simply cannot deprive our kids of the beauty of building something, the sense of satisfaction once they climb up to the top of a ladder, and the sense of wonder they feel as they scan different objects for their texture, weight, smell and size.
The truth is, screen time doesn’t give those stimuli to their senses or the enigma to their brain. Giving a break to screen time is not that hard. All you need are some really good ideas and some commitment on your part.
I am sure the following activities can replace screen time for your toddler. They are super easy, fun and engaging too.
Indoor Screen Free Activities
Arts and crafts projects
Arts and crafts are activities toddlers should be doing almost every day.
Offer them varied art materials like jumbo crayons, chalk, water colours, paint brushes and papers.
For craft activities, make a craft box with empty bottles, yarn, tape, tissue boxes, glue, scissors and bits and bobs you can find at home.
Sensory play activities
Sensory play is vital for the brain development of toddlers.
Offer them a bawl of grains and cereal of different shapes and sizes. Encourage them to sort them, count them, fill them into cups and do all sorts of fun play.
Mud play is ideal to introduce at this age. All you need is soil and some water. Your toddler can make mud cakes, mud castles or simply fill up tubs and cups with mud.
Pretend play and imaginative games
Offer them farm animals, dinosaurs, kitchen set, doctor set or simply use whatever you can find at home like old party dresses, hats, scarves, crowns and so on.
Wooden cups and spoons, old syringes and bottles, plastic hammers and nails can be used in so many ways and all it takes is some imagination from their side.
Building with blocks or puzzles
Blocks or puzzles are an essential part of their playtime. They improve their fine motor skills as well as their cognitive skills.
For toddlers, offer blocks and puzzles with bigger pieces for easy grip.
Simple puzzles like 4 piece or 9-piece puzzles are ideal to start with. As for blocks, wooden blocks give so much opportunity to be creative and children can play with them up to their school age.
Cooking or baking together
Who doesn’t like to eat a yummy homemade chocolate cookie or a banana muffin?
Cooking and baking together with your toddler can help their learning in so many ways.
While they enjoy the process of cooking and baking, and actively help you do it, they will improve their measurement skills, language skills and fine motor skills.
Reading books and storytelling
Reading is something we can do every day with our kids. Toddlers find board books, picture books and simple stories with large colourful pictures to be fun and interesting.
Read to your kids every day, change your voice for different characters and act out the scene while you read, ask questions and reread their favourite stories.
Be creative with more fun and engaging indoor activities for your toddler
Outdoor Screen Free Activities
Nature walks and scavenger hunts
Getting close to nature from a young age is beneficial for kids in many ways. It will foster their love for nature, provide endless ways to learn new things, improve their motor skills and have a soothing and relaxing effect on them.
Planning a scavenger hunt outside will give them opportunities to engage with nature. It provides age-appropriate challenges and makes it a fun and interesting experience to play outdoors.
Playing at the park or playground
Playing at the park or an indoor playground encourages them to run, jump, crawl, climb and so on.
That kind of physical activity is essential for the healthy development of your toddler.
They are a must for strong limbs and a strong body.
But not just that, children get an opportunity to socialise and meet new friends at the park which will improve their social skills.
Water play activities
On warm sunny days, we just cannot skip water play activities. This is so easy and fun. All they need is a basket or basin of water, sand, leaves, twigs or flowers to mix and spoons and scoops to mix them with.
Find some more cool sand and water play activities.
Gardening or planting seeds
Is your child curious about how a seed turns into a plant? Or do they show interest in gardening?
It’s time to offer them a small spade, rake, watering can and some seeds.
It will teach them how consistent work and patience can benefit them in the long run.
Riding bikes or scooters
Physical activity is a must for young kids and bikes and scooters are a great way to encourage them to keep moving.
Start with a balance bike or tricycle and gradually they will learn to ride a bike with no help.
Picnics or outdoor tea parties
You can take your child to a park for a picnic or to your own backyard for an outdoor tea party.
Simply pack some yummies and drinks and head out.
Your toddler will enjoy the fresh air, change of scene and it will be a new experience for them.
What Are the Benefits of Screen Free Activities for Toddlers
Promoting healthy development and creativity
Screen free activities promote the healthy development of your child.
Your child gets space to grow their creativity, think of new ideas, experiment and do things differently.
Enhancing social skills and communication
This is one of the most important benefits of screen free activities.
Your child will, through screen free activities, learn to interact with others, get along with other kids, wait for their turn and share, which will help them immensely as they start kindergarten or childcare.
Improving cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills
So many activities like puzzles, blocks, art and crafts require your child to think, assess and make decisions which will improve their cognitive and problem-solving skills.
Encouraging physical activity and motor skill development
Experts say that toddlers need at least 3 hours of active play a day.
These activities strengthen children’s bones, muscles, hearts and lungs and boost their immunity.
Tips for Incorporating Screen Free Activities into Your Daily Routine
Setting limits on screen time
While it can be unrealistic at times to completely avoid screen time for kids (Life happens and parents need some down time too), we can strive to set limits on screen time and stick to them.
When children get used to it, it’s so much easier.
Creating a screen free zone in the home
Children’s play area/room is the ideal place for this.
You can arrange it in an attractive way to make their toys easily accessible.
Don’t forget to rotate their toys weekly so that they don’t get bored doing the same thing again and again.
Planning and scheduling regular screen free activities
It’s all about planning the day ahead of time.
Check the weather reports and if it’s a sunny day, plan an outdoor activity like a picnic, playground, mud play, water play, etc.
On rainy days, you can plan some craft activities, indoor games, baking etc.
Engaging in activities as a family
There are so many activities that can involve the whole family.
This will give you guys the chance to spend some quality time together.
Examples: Baking, Scavenger hunt, Cycling etc
Being a positive role model by reducing personal screen time
Finally, if you reduce your screen time, be present in the moment and enjoy the time together with your kids more and more, that will positively impact their behaviour.
Conclusion
As moms, we shouldn’t attach any shame to screen time as we all know it can be a lifesaver at times.
Having said that, screen free activities are a must in the precious time of your toddler as they are growing up fast and learning new skills every day.
There are so many fun, easy and engaging screen free activities mentioned in this article that will help your toddler have a great time with you or his friends.
Hurry! It’s time to take a break from devices and enjoy active play with your toddler.
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