He’s 9 and I want him to have fun and enjoy this time but it’s so easy for him to just sit there and zone out. I’m thinking of ways to keep him busy, maybe a few arts and crafts projects or some board games. I just don’t want him to miss out on making memories. Anyone have tips on how to keep kids engaged without feeling like they’re being forced? It’s a challenge for sure!
You could always bribe him with candy. Works like a charm, lol. Joking, but I get what you mean. My kid’s practically glued to his phone every break. Arts and crafts sound fun tho!
Ugh, this is such a mood. My 7 yo is the same way, especially when it’s cold out. It’s like they forget how to have fun without screens. I feel guilty but at the same time I just need a break sometimes too! If you find the magic solution, let me know!
Hey, it’s hard, but I think it can get better! One thing that worked for us last winter was signing up for some local workshops or classes during the break. It’s good because it gives your kid a chance to learn something new and have some social interaction without a screen. My son actually loved trying out a pottery class, he had no interest at first, but once we got there, he had a blast! I bet your son would like some hands, on activities like that.
Honestly I’m not sure how to balance it either. I’m always struggling to find a middle ground between being the “fun” parent and the “you need to get off that screen” parent. If I find something that works, I’ll let you know. Maybe we just need to accept that some of the break will be spent chilling with their screens, as long as they aren’t glued to it 24/7!
I’ve got a solution that worked well for me. I planned a “family fun day” where we did a big activity, like a scavenger hunt, and then followed it with a big reward, like a movie night or ice cream. It helped break up the monotony of sitting at home all day. Plus, having something to look forward to after a screen-free activity made it easier to get my son involved. It worked out really well!
This time of year is tough! My son is also obsessed with his phone and video games. What’s helped a little is inviting friends over or setting up a playdate. Once there are other kids around, it’s like he forgets about the screen and just has fun! The struggle is real, tho.
Honestly, I’ve found that scheduling screen time can actually help. So if you tell him, “Okay, you get an hour of gaming after we do something like a puzzle or a craft,” it feels less like you’re pulling him away from what he wants. I’ve been putting some limits on screen time during the break, but I let him pick the activities. Keeps him from feeling like he’s being forced, but it also balances out the time he spends on his devices.
Thanks, everyone! I love the activity jar idea and scheduling screen time. I’m gonna try that! Hopefully, we’ll be able to balance it out this holiday and still make some great memories. Here’s to hoping we survive the break!
I get it! It’s so easy to let them zone out, especially when you have a million things to do around the house. What has helped me is giving my son some options like an “activity jar” – I put in little slips of paper with different things to do, like making a fort, playing a board game, or baking cookies. It’s not forced, and it gives him some control. He likes picking what to do, and it’s a bit of a surprise each time. Keeps him engaged!